“Unipetrol scores not only in the Ústí Region, but also at the nationwide level for the first time. It con-firms that we are seen as a company doing the maximum for its employees,” says Tomasz Wiatrak, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unipetrol Group, and adds: “We really appreciate these awards and they are also a great motivation for us and a commitment to further improve the conditions for our employees, increase their qualifications and create an optimal environment for their career growth. At the same time, we do not forget about long-term support of Czech schools and talented students because Unipetrol is a forward-looking company striving for sustainable development.”

In the nationwide evaluation of the 17th annual competition, Unipetrol placed third in the category to 5,000 employees and even in the first place in the Ústí Region. A total of 87 employers from all over the country were registered in this year’s competition in the category to 5,000 employees.

 
At Unipetrol, the jury mostly appreciated the enforcement of modern trends related to employee care, including a wide range of employee benefits and support of personal and professional development. Newly hired employees take part in an intensive three-month adaptation plan; and the company also puts great emphasis on education of senior officers. Long-term support of education is one of the important pillars, as well. Unipetrol cooperates with a range of secondary schools in the region and even enables studies at the Centre of the University of Chemical Technology Prague – Unipetrol directly on its premises in Litvínov. In addition, the Unipetrol Foundation provides financial assistance to successful secondary school and university students, secondary schools and teachers.

“Thanks to the international methodology used, taking the winners’ podium in the ‘Sodexo Employer of the Year’ competition is primarily a certificate of quality and a confirmation that the employers awarded have strong above-average key indicators compared to the overall labour market situation,” says Director Pavel Hulák of the organising Employer Club, and adds: “They include, in particular, the values related to remuneration and bonuses, education, as well as an internal promotion system or career development opportunities. And last, but not least, the evaluation methodology also focuses on economic indicators such as the financial results of the respective company.”

 
The Sodexo Employer of the Year 2019 is part of the Annual Awards of the Employer Club 2019. Its aim is to highlight the companies having an excellent attitude to their employees both at the nation-wide and regional level. The competition is announced by not-for-profit organisation Employer Club (in Czech: Klub zaměstnavatelů) under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Documents and methodology for an end-to-end evaluation of participating companies are prepared by the specialist guarantor of the competition, PricewaterhouseCoopers Česká republika s.r.o. The evaluation is also performed based on the information contained in a questionnaire where the employer states important financial indicators, information about remuneration and benefits as well as absence statistics, work-related injuries and holidays. Other indicators include employee departures, employee recruitment and selection as well as programmes for employees training and development.