The Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) seeks to recognize organizations that have implemented innovative programs, practices, or policies during the last five years 2002 to 2007. HRMAJ believes that the management of human resources plays a critical role in determining the strategic direction of organizations, and the innovative HR practices that these organizations utilize can contribute significantly to this.

The HRMAJ HR Innovation Award is based on the premise that people are at the heart of every business, and must be recognized for the vital contribution they make to the overall performance and profitability of their organizations.



The Award seeks to put the spotlight on creative and innovative initiatives and unique approaches companies employ to provide solutions to problems or challenges faced, which could hinder their progress in their quest for goal achievement. This Award will transcend boundaries of size, type of business or sector, and will encourage real celebration of success.ntly to the achievement of goals and objectives.

The HRMAJ HR Innovation Award

The HRMAJ HR Innovation Award is based on the premise that people are at the heart of every business, and must be recognized for the vital contribution they make to the overall performance and profitability of their organizations. The Award seeks to put the spotlight on creative and innovative initiatives and unique approaches companies employ to provide solutions to problems or challenges faced, which could hinder their progress in their quest for goal achievement. This Award will transcend boundaries of size, type of business or sector, and will encourage real celebration of success.

Benefits of the Award

When an organization earns a place on the shortened list for the Award this would be an achievement in itself. This has and will continue to have a positive impact on the organization. Winning the Award will confer prestige and recognition, both within the organization and across the business community. The profile of the organization will be elevated to the realm of “The HR Best Practice Flagship Organization” In the future other businesses will benchmark their initiatives, projects, programs and practices on those of the Flagship Organization.

Earning the HR Innovation Award demonstrates that the organization (s) have adopted robust measurements for their HR processes. The award will also be an external validation for the Award winning HR Initiative.

HRMAJ will highly publicize the National Innovation Award and by this means all entrants will receive visibility for their attempt to objectify, standardize, and optimise their HR policies and practices as well as to align their HR activities with business goals and objectives.

Entry/Application

This Award will be formally re-launched on October 29, 2007 with an invitation for all organizations across Jamaica to participate by sharing with us an innovative project or initiative they implemented with successful results. Nomination/Entry Forms will be printed and sent to a wide cross-section of companies encouraging them to participate in this HRMAJ Best Practice flagship Competition. Of course, much recognition will be gained through a comprehensive publicity package which will incorporate radio, television and the press.

Entry for the award is open to both public and private sector organizations. A firm may either submit an application for an entire conglomerate (in this case only one application need be completed on behalf of the HR Innovation), alternately, the firm may submit an application for a subsidiary. The idea is that an HR Innovation is being submitted for consideration, whether it has been implemented within a conglomerate or within a subsidiary.

The Official Entry /Application Form and Application Process Document giving details are attached. It is advised that the most senior HR officer within the subsidiary or conglomerate or other firm should sign the form.

Assessment Criteria

The judges will make their assessment using the following criteria:

•  How an HR or people Management project or initiative overcame a particular business issue or problem.
•  The direct impact this initiative has had on the overall business performance, whether in terms of growth, profitability or meeting specific objectives.

Rules of Entry

1. Entries must be received on or before December 31, 2007.
2. Entries must comply with the directions on the Entry Form.
3. Entries should be hand delivered under confidential cover to the HRMAJ Secretariat. Suite # 3, Midspring Plaza, 134 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8.
4. Entrants will be notified by January 18, 2008, of the Judges decision to engage in a site visit or if they require additional information to assist in the judging

Judging Process

Site visits will be conducted between January 22 and 31, 2008. During these visits, the organization’s representative will get the opportunity to share first-hand the problems experienced, the attempts at diagnosis, the implementation of the initiative and the impact of such intervention on the organization. The judges reserve the right to request additional information or to inspect procedures or to interview employees at this time.

The final judging will take place in February after visits to each company and interviews with their respective staff have been completed.

The top three winners will be selected by February 29, 2008.

A special HR Innovation Awards Banquet will be held in March 2008 to announce winners.

The Judging Panel

The panel of judges are as follows:
Mrs. Theresa Easy, Principal Lecturer in Human Resource Management , UTECH, and part time lecturer at UWI.

Dr. Ainsley Deer, Managing Director, Training Dynamics & Consultants Ltd.

Mrs. Nsombi Jaja, Managing Director, TQM Consultants

Mrs. Ilsa DuVerney, Managing Director, Productivity Plus Limited

Dr. Noel Cowell, Head, Department of Management Studies and Lecturer, UWI


Revised Key Dates & Deadlines


Official Re-Launch - October 29, 2007

Closing Date for all Entries - December 31, 2007

Completion of Selection of Judges - July 31, 2007

Short listing for finalists - January 14, 2007

Visits to companies - January 22-31, 2008

Winner selected and HRMAJ notified - February 29, 2008

Award Presentation Banquet - March 2008

Pledge Form

View Flyer

Click To Download Application Form