PLDT, Smart among world's best employers


Telecom giant PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) have been named among the top one percent of Leading Employers of 2023 by German firm Institute of Research & Data Aggregation.

In a statement, PLDT said only top 800 companies globally were certified as leading employers after the Hamburg-based firm evaluated a total of 85,000 global companies and analyzed 7.9 million meta data gathered from global and web sources.

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From left, Gail O. Mercado, First Vice President for Talent, PLDT and Smart, Gina P. Ordoñez, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, PLDT and Smart, Manuel V Pangilinan, Chairman and CEO, PLDT and Smart, and Ricky P. Vargas, Leadership Transition Officer, PLDT and Smart

“This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence, which manifests in the quality of our network, our world-class products and services, and the dedication of our people. It inspires us to continue making meaningful connections possible and providing lasting value to our customers,” said PLDT and Smart Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan. 

The independent global study evaluated companies based on employer brand attractiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, innovation, overall employee well-being, and external talent communication and satisfaction reviews online, among others.

“We are honored for being recognized as one of the world’s leading employers. The results of this independent global study inspire us and strengthen our conviction, in making PLDT and Smart a workplace where employees are empowered to do meaningful work and deliver results” said PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer Gina P. Ordoñez.

Since 2017, the Institute of Research & Data Aggregation has been conducting an independent study and meta-analysis of historical and current data, with the aim of identifying the world’s leading employers.

According to its CEO, Lindi Utter, the study aims not only to identify good employers, but also to use the knowledge gathered, in making employers even better for the people they work with.

“This is a reflection of a year of purpose-driven and meaningful work of our leaders and employees. We will continue to focus on creating an inclusive workplace and capability-building efforts centered on our people, as we strive to build a great workplace that our employees are proud of and that future talents can aspire to join,” said PLDT and Smart First Vice President for Talent Gail O. Mercado.

PLDT said this latest recognition reinforces PLDT and Smart’s goal to boost its standing as a premiere workplace in the Philippines, with a workforce of over 14,000 people serving millions of customers and partners across the Philippines and beyond. 

The integrated telco recently embarked on an organizational transformation journey in support of this aspiration, following a roadmap of initiatives designed to cultivate talent and maximize the potential of its employees, build a purpose-driven culture, and promote new ways of working.