Olam raises workplace profile, gets certification as top employer for third consecutive year

Olam, a leading agribusiness, has raised its profile as one of the best places to work for top talents with a recertification as a top employer for the third consecutive year by Top Employer Institute. The company’s operations in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Africa Region were recognised and awarded the Top Employer Certification underscoring its full compliance with international best practices in HR practices.

This latest certification was announced by the Netherlands-based Top Employers Institute, a global authority on recognizing excellence in people’s practices, on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, during a virtual ceremony hosted to celebrate the certified organisations.

Emphasizing the significance of the certification, David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, said: “Exceptional times bring out the best in people and organisations. And we have witnessed this in our Top Employers Certification Programme this year: exceptional performance from the certified Top Employers 2023. These employers have always shown that they care for the development and well-being of their people. By doing so, they collectively enrich the world of work. We are proud to announce and celebrate this year’s group of leading people-oriented employers: the Top Employers 2023”.

The Top Employers Institute conducts an annual certification audit in 121 countries to assess organisations’ people strategy and the impact on employees’ career journeys. Olam’s stellar human resource strategy and employee positive feedback have continued to earn the organisation a top rating as one of the top employers, best place to work and build a thriving professional career. In addition to the latest recognition, the business was certified as a top employer in 2020 and 2021.

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According to the Institute, participants were appraised on people strategy, organisation and change, career, digital HR, work environment, employer branding, talent acquisition and onboarding, performance management, learning, wellbeing, rewards and recognition, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.

Speaking on the latest certification, Jaideep Biswas, the Senior Vice President, Regional Head of Human Resources at Olam Agri, said, “As employee value propositions and aspirations continue to see a transformation due to a changing outlook on life, Olam keeps focusing on helping its workforce find fulfilment. Our human resource strategy aligns with the expectations of the bourgeoning global talent market. This trendy focus forms our corporate DNA across our operating market.”

Ashish Pande, Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, explained that while the business’ continues to investment in agriculture and food production, human capacity development, knowledge/skills transfer, professionalism, workplace tolerance, staff welfare, and employment generation in Nigeria is targeted at deepening the economic contributory role of the country’s labour force in line with the Federal Government’s economic development agenda.

He said, “We keep investing in our workforce to smoothen their career journey. We are also embarking on projects such as the Seeds for the Future Foundation that focuses on empowering women and providing life advancement opportunities for young people across the country. These are in addition to our impressive internal engagement programmes that engender work-life balance, career growth and ultimate fulfilment for our employees.”

In 2021, Olam launched a refreshed Strategic Plan to capitalise on the key trends shaping global food and agriculture to better meet its customers’ needs. This saw the creation of two distinct operating groups focused on food ingredients and global agri-business – ‘Olam Food Ingredients’ and ‘Olam Agri’. This exciting change has enabled the company to sharpen its focus and align to better meet its customers’ needs while continuing to leverage the benefits of the Olam Group.