IBM Kenexa (NYSE: IBM), a global provider of business solutions for human resources, today announced the finalists of its annual Best Workplaces Survey and Awards. This year over 32,000 employees from 228 New Zealand organisations representing the private and public sectors participated in the survey. Forty two companies reached the finalist status across the five employee size categories: Small, Small-Medium, Medium-Large, Large and Enterprise.

The 2014 finalists represent a broad spectrum of New Zealand industries from construction to IT, travel to consumer goods, and many more. Eighty percent of this year's finalists also achieved finalist status in 2013, demonstrating the increasing and continued importance New Zealand employers are placing on engaging their employees

The IBM Kenexa Best Workplaces Survey and Awards is New Zealand’s largest and longest running study of workplace climate and employee engagement. The annual programme identifies the best places to work in New Zealand as rated by their employees. Employees grade their workplace and employers across key categories including leadership, culture, recognition and engagement.

Analysing the data received via the survey provides business leaders with key insights about their organisations from their most valuable assets: their people. The insights identify the characteristics that make their workplace great places to work, as well as areas to improve in order to increase engagement levels. Organisations also gain a more accurate view of what is needed to retain critical talent.

“I would like to congratulate all the finalists for 2014 and acknowledge their passion and commitment to ensuring their organisation is a great place to work," said Leighton Abbot, Senior Consultant, IBM Smarter Workforce for New Zealand. “The strong level of participation in the Best Workplaces programme demonstrates the importance that New Zealand business leaders place on engaging their employees. The insights each of the organisations will receive from the survey will help them better define the things of most importance to their employees and ultimately improve business outcomes through engagement."

Finalists in the Small-Medium Workplace (50-149 employees) category are:

ADInstruments; Brother International NZ; home. (formerly Buildtech Holdings); ClearPoint; Credit Union Baywide - Trading as NZCU Baywide; FUJIFILM NZ; Giltrap Audi; Giltrap Motors; Miles Toyota and ILAM Toyota; MRC Transmark; New Zealand Rugby; Provoke; Soltius New Zealand; Sport Northland; Yealands Wine Group