Best Places to Work™ Certified
A mark of purpose, integrity, and people-first performance.
BPTW™ Certified is a people-first, workplace certification developed collaboratively by Best Places to Work™ and the EMA. The programme recognises organisations that demonstrate ongoing commitment to their people and high-performance workplace cultures.
By combining BPTW™’s expertise in measuring workplace excellence with EMA’s understanding of New Zealand workplaces, BPTW™ Certified equips employers with practical insights to strengthen culture, attract top talent, and drive innovation.
As the Foundation Partner of Best Places to Work™, the EMA is proud to bring this programme directly to our Members, helping you set the standard for workplace excellence and become employers of choice.
Exclusive Pilot Programme
As part of the BPTW™ Certified pilot, EMA Members can access BPTW™ Certified at no cost for the next 12 months, with the certification fees covered by the EMA as a membership benefit.
This workplace certification programme gives you everything you need to benchmark, improve, and celebrate your workplace culture.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity. Join the employers who are setting the standard for workplace excellence.
How BPTW™ Certified Works
Overview
BPTW™ Certified is open to organisations from Taupō to Northland with 10 or more employees, across any industry sector.
Certification is based on a combination of the BPTW™ Annual Employee Experience Survey results and confirmation of workplace practices and policies. It is valid for 12 months.
Step One: Employee Feedback
- Measured via the BPTW™ Annual Survey
- Minimum 60% employee participation required
- Overall engagement score determines the certification tier
- Diamond tier includes a mid-year pulse survey
Step Two: Practices & Policy
- Confirm alignment with BPTW™ Certified key practices and policies
- Supporting documentation uploaded
BPTW™ Certified Tiers: A clear path to excellence
BPTW™ Certified is awarded across three tiers, each representing your organisation’s commitment to workplace excellence.
Every tier provides 12 months of certification validity, giving you a full year of promotional power.
SILVER
-
You're building your foundation for workplace excellence
BPTW™ Annual Survey - Requires 60% employee participation
-
Requires overall engagement score above 75%
Requirements - BPTW™ Annual Survey + key practices and policies in place
GOLD
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You're actively strengthening your culture and engagement.
BPTW™ Annual Survey - Requires 65% employee participation
-
Requires overall engagement score above 80%
Requirements - Higher participation, higher scores + key practices and policies in place
DIAMOND
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You're excelling and advancing toward best-in-class.
BPTW™ Annual Survey - Requires 70% employee participation
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Requires overall engagement score above 85%
Requirements - Higher participation, higher scores + key practices and policies in place + mid-year pulse survey
The value Members receive being BPTW™ Certified
Trust and credibility
Proof that your culture and workplace experience is strong, and getting stronger.
Recognition
Be recognised amongst your community with an official BPTW™ Certified badge.
Talent advantage
A powerful tool for employer branding and recruitment.
Pathway to excellence
A clear framework for improving people-focused strategies and productivity.
Competitive advantage
Helps win talent, clients, partnerships and
potential investors.
Awards advantage
Certification provides the foundation and pathway to be recognised as best-in-class at the awards.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, or be willing to become one.
Built on six pillars of workplace excellence, BPTW™ Certified is awarded to employers who meet defined benchmarks in employee engagement and recognises proven, people-first practices.
- Leadership and purpose
- Culture and team connection
- Wellbeing
- Innovation and technology
- Performance and growth
- Sustainability
BPTW™ Certified isn’t just about recognition – it’s about giving our Members the competitive edge to succeed.
Certified organisations receive:
- Annual Survey employee engagement results and benchmarking report
- A summary of strengths and opportunities
- Official BPTW™ Certified badge showing tier achieved
- Public recognition in the EMA and BPTW™ channels
- Promotional and storytelling toolkit
- At Gold tier and above – automatic advancement to the BPTW™ Awards shortlist (organisation choice to enter the awards)
- Discounted access to EMA and BPTW™ consultants for coaching and advisory support
- Discounted access to EMA and BPTW™ workplace events and masterclasses
Documents will be spot checked by the BPTW™ team.
All information submitted is treated as confidential.
No – they’re designed to be complementary.
Certification is validation of high workplace standards, while the Awards are about recognising and celebrating the very best. They’re complementary and designed to work together.
BPTW™ Certified | BPTW™ Awards | |
What it is | Confirmation of excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement, and people practices. | A programme recognising top performers across all workplace size categories and spotlight categories – Best in class |
How it’s earned | Based on survey scores + confirmation of workplace practices and policies | Based on survey scores + award submissions + judging panel review |
Recognition | Tiered certification: Silver to Diamond | Finalists and one winner per workplace size category |
Purpose | Benchmarking, credibility, continuous improvement, talent attraction and employer brand | Recognition of best-in-class practices and outcomes |
Eligibility | Open to any organisation meeting survey + policy confirmation | Shortlisted organisations submit for awards consideration |
BPTW™ Certified: A benchmark of best practice. Validation for all organisations meeting high standards. Based on survey results and confirmation of workplace policies or practices
The BPTW™ Awards: Recognition of best in class. Judged across workplace size categories with detailed submissions, customer feedback, and performance results.
All organisations certified to Gold tier level or above may qualify for the Awards Shortlist (conditions apply). Note: the Awards submission process is still a requirement for Awards entry, and certification does not guarantee your organisation will be an Awards finalist or winner.