KUALA LUMPUR, May 13, 2013 Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON) has just announced its 2013 List of Best Employers Malaysia Awards, as part of its 10-country study of the Best Employers in Asia Pacific. S P Setia Berhad topped this year’s roster as “Best of the Best” in Malaysia.

Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers study was first conducted in Asia in 2001. The purpose of the study was to gain insights into companies that are creating real competitive advantage through their people, to explore what makes a workplace of choice, and to identify the Best Employers in the region.

Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers Study has become the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific. It is conducted in 10 markets: Australia/New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The research involves a rigorous process, conducted over a nine-month period, which culminates in a solid, credible list of Best Employers. This year, eight organizations were named Best Employers in Malaysia:

Three special recognition awards were introduced this year: the Best Employer for Generation Y was awarded to McDonald’s Malaysia; Intel Technology Sdn Bhd was singled out for Best Employer Commitment to Engagement; and the Best Employer for Women went to Agilent Technologies.

What emerged from Aon Hewitt’s study as the most noticeable benefits of being a Best Employer in Malaysia in today’s “war for talent” were the following:

• At Best Employers, the role of senior leaders in driving employee engagement was clearly marked. Senior leaders at Best Employers scored 20 percent above market in their “capability to provide a clear direction for the future” (recognized by 81 percent of the employees at Best Employers vs. 60 percent market average) and ”in making their employees feel like most valued assets” (76 percent for Best Employers vs. 55 percent market average).
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• Best Employers were able to fill 90 percent of their job openings, 25 percent of which were internal movements, (as compared to 77 percent and 20 percent, respectively at market level), thus reflecting potential savings in recruitment and induction costs.
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• Best Employers have been more deliberate in enabling employee development beyond the classroom setting via "experiential learning" – rotational assignments (100 percent of Best Employers vs. 51 percent participant average), special projects (88 percent of Best Employers vs. 55 percent participant average), and interactions with senior executives (88 percent of Best Employers vs. 49 percent participant average), leading to overall employee satisfaction with growth opportunities (being 24 percent higher at Best Employers).
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• “While engaging Generation Y is a key focus for organizations today, Best Employers have an edge, with a 21 percent higher engagement score for Generation Y, compared to the market. Best Employers are reaping benefits from their focus on targeted programs designed to align with various demographics groups,” comments Animesh Mukherjee, practice leader with Aon Hewitt Consulting Malaysia.

After more than a decade of experience conducting Best Employers research, Aon Hewitt has fine-tuned its approach and methodology based on the changing HR trends in Asia. The 2013 study differentiates itself from previous runs and other offerings in the market by means of its professional, data-driven approach that collects data from three distinct sources: employees, HR and the CEO. In addition, an external, independent judging panel composed of reputable business, academic and media leaders is appointed to blindly deliberate and decide on each year’s list of Best Employers. The study is built on a clearly articulated framework of four key themes, identified as critical for today’s HR agenda:

While the Best Employers study recognizes organizations that display standards of excellence, the journey to get there is one that Aon Hewitt recommends for every organization to embark upon. “For organizations that don’t make it to the Best Employers list, but are aspiring to become Best Employers, we want to reinforce that becoming a Best Employer doesn’t happen overnight,” says Gabriela Domicelj, Asia Pacific engagement practice leader and Best Employers Study lead at Aon Hewitt. “It is possible for everyone to become a Best Employer if you’ve articulated the destination you want to head to and have planned your journey wisely.”

Participation in Aon Hewitt’s survey brings a wide range of benefits for organizations, such as finding out how employees perceive and rate their employer, the reasons why they are attracted to certain employer brands, and the type of organizational culture they value sufficiently to “stay and strive.”  The study also provides a benchmark against company competitors in the market. Participating organizations gain access to Aon Hewitt’s latest market research insights, along with the best and most innovative people practices of Best Employers.

To find out more about the Aon Hewitt Best Employers Asia 2013 Study, please visit http://www.bestemployersasia.com

To find out more about Aon Hewitt Best Employers Malaysia 2013 Awards or to inquire about the next edition of the Best Employers Study starting in July 2013, email: yinee.chan@aonhewitt.com

About Aon Hewitt

Aon Hewitt empowers organizations and individuals to secure a better future through innovative talent, retirement and health solutions. We advise, design and execute a wide range of solutions that enable clients to cultivate talent to drive organizational and personal performance and growth, navigate retirement risk while providing new levels of financial security, and redefine health solutions for greater choice, affordability and wellness.  Aon Hewitt is the global leader in human resource solutions, with over 30,000 professionals in 90 countries serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide.  For more information on Aon Hewitt, please visit www.aonhewitt.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United. 

Media Contacts:

Romy Serfaty 
+ 852 2917 7952/9459 0100
romy.serfaty@aonhewitt.com

Animesh Mukherjee
+ 60.19.241.3357
animesh.mukherjee.2@aonhewitt.com