Tech firms lead the race in battle for best Workplace

Technology companies have made a strong showing taking 11 out of 43 spots as finalists in this year's Best Workplaces of 2013 awards – run by IBM company, Kenexa.

Provoke, Microsoft New Zealand, Vend, Brother International (NZ) Optimal Experience, ADInstruments, ClearPoint, FujiFilm NZ, Soltius, Leading Edge Communications and Trade Me are among this year's finalists.

Brother will be aiming for the three straight wins, having been named best small-medium workplace in 2011 and 2012. Vend was also a winner last year, taking out the small workplace award.

Nearly 39,000 employees from 243 organisations, across both private and public sectors, participated in 2013, IBM says.

Sanchia Yonge, IBM's GM Smarter Workforce for Australia and New Zealand, says the awards recognise companies attracting the best talent, understanding their employees and empowering their teams.

Employees at participating organisations complete confidential surveys about their workplace to determine the winners.

Provoke, which was a finalist last year, says over the last 12 months it has focused particularly on ensuring that despite constant growth in New Zealand and offshore 'our culture and the heart of why people choose to work at Provoke doesn't change'.

“Last year we were stoked to be finalists,” says Mason Pratt, Provoke CEO. “This year we are pretty keen to take the top spot.”

The winners are due to be announced October 31.