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Beware the lure of best companies lists
Securing your organisation a place on a coveted "best companies to work for" listing is now all the rage. But there are pitfalls and once you are on, it's all too easy to tumble off, says a recent issue of the US human resources magazine Workforce.
While the exact business benefit of inclusion on a list is fuzzy, it's clearly a great way to showcase a company's culture, policies and amenities. "A high ranking always pays off in invigorating a company's reputation among recruits, employees, shareholders and investors," says Joanne Cleaver, the author of the report.
But there are risks. As Cleaver explains: "Companies can't control the outcome. Falling off a list can be embarrassing, and can invite unwanted questions. Once a company is established as a 'best' employer, employees' expectations continue to rise, and there's the inevitable pressure that comes with living up to an outstanding reputation. And the application process itself can be a nightmare - taking from hours to grueling weeks."
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Title: "Lust for lists", by Joanne Cleaver, Workforce, May 2003.
Availability: Workforce is published monthly. For subscription services, tel: 001 313 446 0450 (USA 888 448 1422). Or contact the online editor Todd Raphael for more information, email: raphaelt@workforce.com.
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Posted 9 June 2003