The Hindu Business Line : TCS tops Hewitt's best employer list

INDIAN companies, instead of MNCs, have occupied the first three places in this year's Best Employer in India survey by Hewitt Associates and CNBC TV 18.

Leading the way is Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), with Bharti Televentures at second place and National Thermal Power Corporation NTPC) at third. The 2003 survey in comparison had Indian subsidiaries of MNCs Procter Gamble India and American Express (I) Private Limited capturing the first two slots. NTPC has retained its third position.

In fact, Indian companies have also occupied the top slot in two of the three new categories introduced this year in Hewitt's fourth annual study of Indian organisations, besides the 25 Best Employers. The Five Best Managed Workforces has Godrej Consumer Products emerging on top, the Best People CEO voted in is Mr Sunil Mittal of Bharti Televentures, while the Most Admired HR Department slot has gone to MNC Procter & Gamble India.

The study, which is aimed at understanding the link between people practices and business performance in organisations, this year had participation from 272 Indian companies, a 75 per cent increase since the inception of the survey.

According to Hewitt, the research this year has widened its ambit by monitoring developments not only among the white-collar employees, but the blue- collar as well. Along with people practices, the study also analyses trends in human capital management cost, talent movement and leadership alignment.

The study was open to all organisations in India that have been established for a minimum of three years and have no less than 100 white-collar employees. Participation was across 15 industry groups with an increase in participation from the Public Sector. Data was collected from 75,000 employee responses across industries.

The selection of the Best Employers in India was based on in-depth questionnaires completed by the CEOs, HR departments and employees of participant organisations, followed by an on-site audit. The best employers are chosen by an independent judging panel.