DHL Express Named Best Employer in the World

DHL Express has been named the best employer in the world in the annual ranking by Great Place to Work® (GPTW) and Fortune magazine. This recognizes the continuous improvements and investments in the company’s workforce over the past ten years. DHL climbed from 8th place in 2017 to 1st place in 2021.

(Bonn) “Since 2009, DHL Express has been undergoing a transformation guided by its Focus strategy. As part of this strategy, we have set ourselves the goal of motivating our employees and becoming the employer of choice,” says John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. “For a company with 111,000 employees operating in 220 countries and in various forms, this was a bold step. What continually drives me is our trust in our workforce and their ability to deliver outstanding performance for our customers and for each other. I congratulate all colleagues who made this possible and thank those who participated in this year’s survey. I have never been prouder to be part of this company.”

DHL Express places great importance on recognizing the achievements of its employees. The transformation strategy Focus was one of many innovative DHL programs that were honored with this award. DHL Express’s Focus strategy is aligned with the goal of the Deutsche Post DHL Group to become the employer, investment, and provider of choice worldwide. The key to success is the Certified International Specialist (CIS) program. The CIS program was introduced in 2009 to strengthen our DNA in corporate culture and development based on customer orientation and trust. The program includes inspiring training and engagement content delivered by leaders; the company aims to promote, recognize, and reward important behaviors.

Focus on People

“One of the central elements of our strategy focuses on the people who work for DHL Express. Without the commitment of our outstanding employees, we would not be able to deliver the strong performance our customers know us for today,” says Regine Büttner, Executive Vice President HR, DHL Express. “We are very proud of how our initiatives and HR measures around the elements of Personnel and Digitalization, Personnel Development, Diversity, Health, and Appreciation have evolved and that our efforts are paying off.”

“Deutsche Post DHL Group is proud that DHL Express is number 1 in the World’s Best Workplaces® 2021. Our colleagues, who connect people and improve lives around the globe, are our greatest asset, and their commitment and motivation are the prerequisites for sustainable success. DHL Express is a role model for people and employee orientation and an inspiration for all of us,” explains Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director at Deutsche Post DHL Group. “I am very pleased that our employees have rated us with the highest score in this year’s Great Place to Work® survey.”

Strengthening Corporate Culture

During the global pandemic, employees in the logistics industry faced immense pressure. Being recognized as a World’s Best Workplace® 2021 confirms the strength of the corporate culture at DHL Express. In this confidential survey, employees’ experiences regarding fairness, credibility, respect, pride, and team spirit are assessed. Initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening corporate culture are also examined in the survey. The GPTW survey recorded increased motivation and greater engagement among employees; last year’s company benchmark of 93 percent was even surpassed. During this challenging phase, DHL Express focused on job security and employee well-being to ensure that employees felt safe, well cared for, and engaged.

“On one hand, it is more important than ever to be a ‘Great Place to Work For All®’, and on the other hand, it has also become more challenging,” says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work®. “DHL Express has shown that when a company cares for its employees, they also take care of the customers. 94 percent of employees at DHL say that their customers would rate the services they provide as ‘outstanding’. This exceeds the global benchmark of 86 percent.”

Workplace Evaluation through Employee Surveys

To be awarded as a ‘World’s Best Workplace®’, companies must rank first in the national Best Workplaces® rankings by Great Place to Work. The assessment of workplace quality is based on confidential employee surveys on trust, innovation, corporate values, and leadership. Additionally, companies are evaluated on how well they create an inclusive work environment for all, regardless of their employees’ backgrounds and roles. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus for employers and employees this year was on physical and mental well-being.

Photo: © DHL Express