DHL Express named #1 world’s best workplace in 2021

Zoe Sabanal Oct 21, 2021

2 min read

Transport and logistics company DHL Express has been named the number one best workplace worldwide in the annual list published by Great Place to Work (GPTW), in collaboration with Fortune Magazine.

In 2020, DHL placed 2nd in GPTW’s list. Prior to that, the company placed 8th in 2017.

DHL maintained that cultural engagement program paves the way for a new era of employee empowerment.

“Since 2009, DHL Express experienced an era of transformation guided by its strategy Focus,” said John Pearson, CEO, DHL Express.

“Within this strategy, we made it our purpose to motivate people working with us and to become the employer of choice,” Pearce said.

“For a company of 111,000 colleagues operating across 220 countries and different modes, this was a brave move,” he said.

For Pearce, what drives him every day is DHL’s belief in people and their ability to deliver excellence for their customers and each other.

“Congratulations to all colleagues who make this possible, and thanks to those who participated in this year’s survey. I have never been prouder to be part of this company.”

According to DHL, focusing on staff development and engagement realises transformational success, which has also delivered the best financial performance in the company’s 50-year story.

The transformational Focus strategy was one of the programs DHL was recognised for. This strategy is geared Deutsche Post DHL Group’s goal of becoming the employer, investment, and provider of choice for the world.

Key to its success is a program called Certified International Specialist (CIS). In 2009, the CIS program was introduced to accelerate the cultural and developmental DNA based on customer focus and trust. It includes inspiring training and engagement content delivered by senior leaders with the business encouraging, recognising, and rewarding vital behaviors.

While the pressure on logistics people was intense during the global pandemic, the GPTW survey recorded increased staff motivation and engagement levels among DHL employees, surpassing the company’s 93% score in 2020.

DHL Express focused on job security and staff well-being throughout this challenging period, ensuring employees remained safe, connected, and supported.

“While it’s never been more critical to be a great place to work For All™, it’s also never been more difficult,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work.

“DHL Express has proven that when you deliver for your people, they deliver for your customers. 94% of DHL employees say their customers would rate the service they deliver as ‘excellent,’ outperforming the global benchmark of 86%,” Bush said.

To be recognised as a World’s Best Workplace, companies must rank first on Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces™ national lists. This recognition is based on confidential survey data that assesses employee experience in trust, innovation, company values, and leadership.

Companies are also rated on how well they create a For All workplace experience that includes all employees, regardless of who they are or what they do.