Great Place to Work recently organized an event at the Colombo Hilton to honor and learn from The Best WorkplacesTM in the logistics and transportation sector in Sri Lanka. The occasion marked a significant milestone for Great Place to Work which for over a decade, has been assisting businesses in creating a healthy work environment and recognizing their endeavors in fostering diversity and inclusivity.
Kshanika Ratnayaka, Director and CEO of Great Place to Work in Sri Lanka addressed the event at its outset stating, “We believe that any organizations can become a great workplace for all, and maximize their human potential, by fostering trust within the ethos of their culture” referencing the High-Trust, High-Performance Culture that is the mantra of Great Place to Work. She went on to highlight the importance of the logistics industry, pointing out Sri Lanka’s ambitious goal of becoming a multimodal logistics hub, providing integrated services and facilities, by developing the necessary physical, telecommunication, and information technology infrastructure between the air and seaport facilities in the country. Commenting on the significance of these recognitions, she affirmed that employee well-being is now a top priority in the workplace and that Great Place to Work is committed to assisting organizations in evaluating their employees’ well-being and in taking the appropriate measures to initiate best practices.
Delivering the keynote address Global Chairperson Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) Gayani De Alwis, emphasized that establishing a work environment characterized by respect and collaboration is contingent in the workplace. “When employees sense that they are valued members of a team, it fosters a culture of success for the company. Therefore, employers must prioritize in building an engaging and inclusive culture across the entire work environment, offering employees the necessary resources and support to perform effectively. This will ensure that employees remain engaged, motivated and productive, leading to better outcomes for the company,” she said.
The presentation was followed by a fireside chat with representative of McLarens Group, Director/CEO in the GAC Group of Companies Dr..Ravi Edirisinghe, who shared insights on employee engagement and retention practices. He discussed McLarens Group’s experience during the pandemic and their efforts to promote trust and collaboration, which he emphasized as crucial for employee performance. He also highlighted steps taken by the Group to ensure fairness and security in uncertain times, as well as programs to support employee’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. It overall, emphasized the importance of listening to employees’ needs and helping them achieve their goals to cultivate a motivated workforce.
Ten organizations in the industry were thereafter recognized as ‘Best Workplaces’ for outperforming the rest in the Great Place to Work Methodology and proving their dedication to their workforce. DHL Keells (Pvt) Ltd, McLarens Group, Advantis Express (Pvt) Ltd – Licensee of Federal Express, Hellmann MAS Supply Chain (Private) Limited, Advantis 3PL PLUS (Logiwiz Limited), Expolanka Freight (Pvt) Ltd, Dart Global Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, Peri Logistics (Pvt) Ltd, Certis Lanka Secure Logistics (Pvt) Ltd and EFL 3PL (Pvt) Ltd were among the companies acknowledged for their exceptional accomplishments at the event. Great Place to Work shared insights from the study findings on employee perception in the workplace and explained the methodology used to identify the Best WorkplacesTM in the logistics & transportation industry. As such, these employers were rewarded for their efforts in cultivating a workplace culture characterized by a deep foundation of trust, effective leadership, meaningful values, and opportunities for all employees to perform and contribute, thereby making them exemplary models for others to emulate.
The event overall underscored the importance of seeking feedback from employees and a mindset focused on agility as well as continuous development, showcasing innovative approaches employers are using to support their workforce. It emphasized the need for businesses to maximize human potential by creating a supportive and respectful environment that fosters motivation and productivity, ultimately leading to business growth and sustainability.
