Randstad’s latest Employer Brand Research report has named Calvary Health Care as Australia’s most attractive employer and healthcare brand, which Calvary chief executive officer Martin Bowles said reflects their deep commitment to “being for others.”
The research includes 75 large private and public organisations and a handpicked sample by Randstad – to provide a fair representation of employers in Australia.
The list of employers is then presented to 5,427 members of the general public, aged between 18 and 64, with a slight emphasis on people under 40 as they are more likely to be potential employees.
“We are delighted to be recognised as the number one purpose-led organisation where people – particularly Gen Z – can build meaningful careers,” Mr Bowles said.
Changes to workplace priorities
The report also revealed workplaces and employees are prioritising different things, with employees ranking work-life balance, attractive salary and benefits, job security, good training and pleasant work atmosphere as the top five most important things they are looking for.
Meanwhile, employers are seen as prioritising whether the office is conveniently located, equity, job security, financial health and work-life balance as the most important.
Randstad national director of education, health and social care Matt Hodges told Australian Ageing Agenda this disconnect likely stems from a few areas, and for care employers in particular, the demanding nature of the work is a driving factor.
“Healthcare, and aged care specifically, involves physically and emotionally demanding roles, often with irregular hours and high pressure. Employees are seeking sustainable careers, and work-life balance is crucial for preventing burnout and maintaining personal wellbeing,” he explained to AAA.
“Employers might traditionally focus on compensation or career progression, assuming these are the primary motivators, without fully appreciating the daily toll of the work.
“There’s a broader societal shift where employees across all sectors are increasingly valuing flexibility and their personal wellbeing. In aged care, where the work is inherently caring and often intense, this need is amplified.”
Employers might believe they offer good work-life balance, said Mr Hodges, but for employees on the ground, dealing with staffing levels, shift patterns, and administrative burdens, it might be different.
“Similarly, while employers might invest in the latest technology, employees may see it as a baseline expectation or even a source of additional complexity, rather than a primary attraction factor,” he said.
In addition to Calvary, Mercy Health featured on the list, ranking in the top 20 most attractive employers overall and St Vincent’s Health ranked as the next most attractive employer with aged care services.
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