★ ★ ★ ★ ★

For Workplace ExcellencE

HR-Interview for Top Employer

Earn an independent Top Employer certificate and prove your company is a trusted, people‑first workplace. Attract more applications | Boost employee satisfaction | Strengthen your employer brand.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

For Workplace Excellence in the US

The Gold Standard
for Top Employer

Earn an independent Top Employer certificate and prove your company is a trusted, people‑first workplace. Attract more applications | Boost employee satisfaction | Strengthen your employer brand.

Get Certified Today
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Trusted by Top Employers Worldwide

The Top Employer certificate is part of an international quality-standard.com network and employer seals. This network uses a consistent, science‑based methodology to certify employers in different countries and industries.

Award badge: 'Top Arbeitgeber 2022/2023 – Sehr Gut' with five gold stars and a small ÖIQP logo.
Top Employer USA
Top Employer germany

SCIENTIFICALLY BASED METHODOLOGY

Developed based on Scientific Research

Sample HR-Interview including Employer Benefits

I. Work processes and organization

Work processes are precisely defined; responsibilities are established, documented and communicated.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Target agreements are set using the SMART criteria. S = specific, precise / M = measurable / A = achievable / R = important, meaningful / T = time-bound

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

There is a job description – tasks and role profiles are documented and transparent.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees’ scope for action is organised in such a way that they can contribute to the success of the department and the company on a daily basis at their workplace.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

There are team or departmental discussions regarding the status of projects and the culture of collaboration – interpersonal relations, ensuring the flow of information, conflict prevention and resolution.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Data protection – employees’ data is protected.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

II. Leadership & Vision

Clear communication of the company’s objectives and their significance for the individual – the employee’s role in achieving these objectives is clearly defined and discussed; there is a clear culture of goal-setting.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees know what contribution they can make to company and departmental goals and actually do make it. This results in sustained motivation.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Individual successes are communicated and recognized.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Involvement of employees in the development of changes, improvements and processes.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees act in a coordinated manner, are involved and empowered to act independently.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Performance reviews are conducted in an open and confidential atmosphere and take into account employees’ wishes and expectations.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are rewarded, recognized, and supported.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are given responsibility – self-motivation is encouraged.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

III. Staff Development

The induction of new staff or the induction of staff into a new role is carried out in accordance with defined processes; for example, there is an induction program..

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Support for employees is provided through regular staff appraisals and feedback meetings, which include a targeted assessment of work performance and a development plan.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are given the freedom to develop and are encouraged to act independently wherever possible.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Where possible, we offer opportunities for job rotation.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are supported and guided in their career planning.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

There is a needs assessment and skills development programme to prepare employees for new tasks.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are offered and given the opportunity to participate in training, professional development and further education programmes.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees are given the opportunity to expand their remit to include work with a higher level of difficulty.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

IV. Family-friendly policies

The company offers flexible working hours, which may include, for example: flexitime, working from home, etc.

  • yes
  • no
  • being implemented (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

It is possible to bring children to the workplace if necessary.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Work-life balance and the compatibility of work and family life are incorporated into staff appraisals.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees with children are offered leave and holiday options, which may include, for example: sabbaticals, flexible working days, etc.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

The taking of parental leave and the return to work are regulated; this is organised in the interests of the employees.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

To facilitate a return to work, there are flexible working time models, e.g. temporary part-time work.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

V. Employer Branding

Employer Value Proposition: The company has defined its unique selling points as an employer, e.g. in terms of remuneration, career progression opportunities, the general working culture, the prevailing working atmosphere, the working environment, and all other benefits that make the company an attractive employer brand.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

The company’s advantages and distinctive features as an employer are communicated both externally and internally.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Positive Candidate Experience: The company offers its applicants, for example, a user-friendly application process and reliable, prompt feedback.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Controlling – The company reviews its employer branding measures – measuring KPIs, e.g.: unsolicited application rate, number of applicants per apprenticeship place, etc.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

VI. Redundancy and Transition Management

The company has developed a fair redundancy policy – this is supported by redundancy strategies and processes.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees leaving the company are supported through outplacement or external recruitment.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Leaving employees are granted temporary leave to facilitate their job search.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

Employees approaching retirement are offered opportunities for partial retirement.

  • yes
  • no
  • in progress (please provide a brief explanation)
  • not relevant (please provide a brief explanation)

VII. Fringe Benefits (FB) – voluntary additional benefits provided by the employer

What fringe benefits (voluntary additional benefits provided by the employer) do you offer your employees?

  • Company pension scheme
  • Flexible working hours
  • Company crèche
  • Personal insurance
  • Company car
  • Further training
  • Additional holiday entitlement, e.g. for long-term service
  • Childcare
  • Supplementary insurance
  • Meal vouchers
  • Travel allowances
  • Sports or leisure activities
  • Extended sick pay
  • Health insurance premiums
  • Capital-forming benefits
  • Life insurance premiums
  • Health check-ups
  • Employee shares/ options
  • Discounts on the employer’s products/services
  • Discounts on products/services from the employer’s partners
  • Staff canteen with affordable food and drinks
  • Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
  • Other
  • Other
  • Other

Trusted by Top Employers Worldwide

The Top Employer certificate is part of an international network of quality standards and employer seals. This network uses a consistent, science‑based methodology to certify employers in different countries and industries.

Top Employer USA
Award badge: 'Top Arbeitgeber 2022/2023 – Sehr Gut' with five gold stars and a small ÖIQP logo.
Top Employer germany

See What Certified Top Employers Say

Organizations across different industries use the Top Employer Certificate to communicate workplace quality, attract qualified candidates, and gain valuable insights from employee feedback.

“We are delighted to have been recognized once again as a top employer…This award helps us in attracting new employees.”
Dominic Müller , Managing Director
“We are continuously working to improve our employer benefits and bring about real change. …The employer seal helps us in our recruitment efforts.”
Simon Rose, Managing Director

“We are proud to be recognized as a TOP employer in the field of interpreting services and feel affirmed in our commitment.”

Daniel, Managing Director

What Is the Top Employer Certificate?

The Top Employer Certificate is an independent employer seal that confirms your company as a highly recommended place to work. It is awarded through a structured HR interview and a representative employee survey — not subjective ratings or purchased rankings.
Here’s what sets it apart.

How the Top Employer Certification Works?

The Top Employer certification follows a transparent, three‑step process, designed to provide both recognition and actionable insights.

Application & HR Interview

 

Your company sends basic information and then completes an online HR interview about your benefits, policies, and HR practices. This interview is usually handled by HR or management and takes around one hour, depending on company size.

Representative Employee Survey

 

All employees receive access to an anonymous, GDPR-compliant survey via personal link or QR code. It measures overall satisfaction and willingness to recommend your company as an employer — with core questions , with questions that can be slightly adapted to your organisation.

Analysis, Rating & Employer Certificate

An independent certification body evaluates both components — each counting 50% — and combines them into an overall score. Companies that achieve a strong result receive the Top Employer certificate and seal for 24 months, along with digital seal graphics, acrylic display stands, and a tabular survey evaluation for internal use.

The certified companies can use Top Employer seal across the website, job postings, social media, and recruitment campaigns — and put it to work where it matters most.

If your overall result isn’t strong enough, you can choose not to use the seal and only pay the survey fee. This is what keeps the Top Employer certificate credible — and why it means something when you display it.

Top Employer Certificates Around the World

The Top Employer certificate is part of an international family of employer seals that are available in multiple countries. This allows companies to use a consistent approach while working with local certification partners.

United States
United States
The Top Employer certificate helps companies in the US demonstrate workplace excellence and gain visibility in the job market. Certified organizations receive a Top Employer seal and can be listed on external results pages, increasing their reach with potential candidates.
Germany
Germany
In Germany, the Top Employer seal (“Top Arbeitgeber”) is based on a representative employee survey and a structured HR interview. Companies receive an employer certificate, seal graphics, and a detailed evaluation of employee feedback that they can use to improve working conditions.
Austria
Austria
In Austria and Switzerland, related employer certificates follow comparable, standardized criteria. These seals help organizations in those markets communicate their employer quality in a transparent and internationally aligned way.

What You Receive With a Top Employer Certificate?

Certification as a Top Employer includes both marketing assets and practical tools for HR and management.

Professionally designed graphics for digital and print use.

An official document confirming your successful certification.

Detailed insights into employee satisfaction and workplace perceptions.

Optional complimentary press release to help announce your award.

A dedicated online page showcasing your certification and methodology.

Marketing materials that strengthen your reputation as an employer of choice.

Conversion

Begin Your Certification

Begin Your Certification

Tell us about your organisation. We’ll respond within 2 business days with a tailored assessment plan.

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    Showcase Your Strength as an Employer

    The Top Employer Certificate provides credible recognition for organizations that prioritize employee satisfaction, fair HR practices, and workplace quality. Certification gives you valuable insights and a respected employer certificate that supports recruitment and retention.

    Turn Employee Feedback Into Competitive Advantage

    The Top Employer Certificate provides more than recognition. It delivers meaningful insights from employee feedback and HR evaluation, helping organizations identify strengths, improve workplace quality, and position themselves as employers of choice in a competitive labor market.