"Our employees can be proud that our culture of respect and results is being formally recognized in Europe. By putting our people first and building a foundation of quality, our DHL Supply Chain customers see the difference at the heart of their business and that's what really counts - our employees and our customers," said Hendrik Venter, DHL Supply Chain CEO, Mainland Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We are a people business and we will keep striving to be The Employer of Choice in the logistics industry."

DHL Supply Chain's HR strategy is pushing an ambitious agenda and an essential part is offering a recruitment process that goes the extra mile.

"We take a huge amount of interest in how it looks and feels for our employees to work for us - from the first moment they interact with us when they apply, to how they experience the workplace every day," said Anne Walther, Head of HR Mainland Europe, Middle East and Africa, DHL Supply Chain.

Accelerated digitalization at DHL Supply Chain lets employees be a part of not just implementation of collaborative robots for picking and packing, indoor robotic transport solutions and ring scanners, but also with e-learning on their smartphones, a virtual reality of learning; a graduate program giving people increased responsibility early in their careers. 

In order to retain employees for the long term, DHL Supply Chain has developed various programs to enhance career development and personal engagement. The Certified Supply Chain Specialist (CSCS) training program, for example, helps staff expand their knowledge of all areas of supply chain operations, ranging from transport, safety and warehousing to sales and finance. It gives employees pride, purpose and clear value within the company. Initiatives like GoHelp and GoGreen Mission 2050: Zero logistics-related emissions, also encourage DHL employees to emulate the company's commitment to social responsibility by supporting their communities, protecting the environment, and championing education.

Annual international research undertaken by the Top Employers Institute recognizes employers around the world who create excellent working conditions for their employees. In a multi-step audit spanning 600 aspects of human resources, companies are evaluated with regard to the future-oriented approach they pursue in their HR strategy and processes. The certification process consists of an extensive survey including a third-party audit. Companies that attain Top Employer certification are recognized for exemplifying best practices in their respective industries.