Russell named one of the “8 Best Companies to Work For” in Australia
Employees give Russell the thumbs up on commitment to people, families and corporate culture
12 August 2008 –The Great Place to Work® Institute has placed Russell Investments on its list of the "8 Best Companies to Work For" in Australia, published today.
This is the first year The Great Place to Work® Institute has evaluated leading employers in Australia. The organisation also manages Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in the US and other evaluations of top workplaces globally.
Companies are selected for inclusion on the ‘Best Company’ list primarily on the basis of their employees' responses to the Great Place to Work Trust Index, a proprietary employee survey developed by the Institute. Further information used for selection process is provided by completion of the Great Place to Work Culture Audit, a two part management questionnaire, also developed by the Institute. The Great Place to Work Institute uses the same proprietary methodology to conduct similar studies in 30 countries in Europe, the US, Latin America and Asia.
The inaugural Australian list was compiled for The Australian newspaper and published in the paper today.
Russell Chief Executive Asia Pacific, Alan Schoenheimer, said Russell had worked hard to maintain its people focus as the company has grown from a family business based in Washington, USA, into one of the world’s most influential investment organisations.
“We really appreciate our employees’ vote of confidence in Russell,” Mr Schoenheimer said.
“Maintaining a strong culture is a challenge for any organisation, especially one as geographically diverse as Russell. One of our core values is a genuine focus on our people. Our commitment is real, and we’ve strived to maintain and even enhance that focus – as our employees are the real reason behind our success. It’s the passion of our people, their trust in the company and commitment to delivering unmatched services to customers that truly differentiates us from our competitors,” Mr Schoenheimer said.
In addition to creating a positive work environment, Russell's focus on people includes active involvement in the communities where Russell employees live. Russell invests in communities through focused giving initiatives, corporate giving and a generous cash matching program for employee contributions of time and money.
Russell’s Australian employees cited a number of benefits as to why they believe it is a great place to work, including the firm’s five extra days’ annual leave, health and wellbeing programs, delivery of fresh fruit every day, international assignment programs, and Russell’s local community involvement.
Russell has received recognition across the globe for its pioneering work environment. In the US Russell has ranked among Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” all seven times it has applied to be considered. In Canada Russell is one of Maclean’s “Top 100 Employers”.
About the List
The Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is a research and management consultancy based in the US with International Affiliate offices throughout the world. The Institute has been evaluating employers since 1980 to understand what makes a workplace great, and to recognise the best companies to work for around the world. The Institute’s employee-centered model has been recognised for more than 20 years as a clear, comprehensive representation of the importance of trust in creating great workplace relationships.
Each year, the Institute produces various Best Companies to Work for lists around the world using the same selection methodology. This includes lists in all 15 countries of the European Union, Brazil, Korea, India and a number of other countries throughout Latin America, Asia and the US (i.e. Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® in America).
The Great Place to Work® Institute defines a great place to work as a place where employees "trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with".
Issued by Russell Investment Management Ltd ABN 53 068 338 974, AFS Licence 247185 (“RIM”). This document provides general information only and has not been prepared having regard to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision, you need to consider whether this information is appropriate to your objectives, financial situation and needs. This information has been compiled from sources considered to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. RIM is part of Russell Investments (“Russell”). You can contact Russell by visiting www.russell.com.au or by phoning (02) 9229 5111. *AUM Is current as at 31/3/08. MKT/1831/0808.