Research forms the core of the Top Employers project. Through objective HR policy based research, the CRF Institute determines whether an organisation meets the requirements to be certified as a Top Employer. Critical and competitive areas of HR management, such as Pay & Benefits, Training & Development, Career Opportunities, Working Conditions and Company Culture, are reviewed thoroughly. 

1. The HR Best Practices Survey
The Top Employers HR Best Practices Survey consists of 75 questions on HR policy and practices. This is proprietary methodology based on our many years’ international expertise. The numerical ranges of your answers (and the subsequent ratings) may be adapted to local dynamics in each country. The questionnaire is updated annually. 
The majority of the information requested in the Top Employers HR Best Practices Survey is management information that usually will be readily available within your organisation. All information provided is treated in the strictest confidence and will not be shared on an individual basis with third parties. All participants complete a declaration of truthfulness upon completing the questionnaire, and all answers are audited. 

2. Interview
An interview with one or more senior (HR) managers and two employees is the second step of the research process. The aim of the interview is two-fold:

• An additional audit to check specific answers to the questionnaire.
• Generate input for the profile on the organisation that will appear in the book and on the web site. The objective is to capture the heartbeat of the organisation and to paint a vivid picture of what it is like to work there.