EFI–CII National Awards for Excellence in Employee Relations 2026 - Pathway

Strong employee relations are the foundation of sustainable business growth, organizational stability, and long-term workplace harmony.
Organizations that prioritize people-centric practices, inclusivity, engagement, and industrial harmony are better positioned to build resilient and future-ready workplaces.
To recognize and celebrate such organizations, the Employers' Federation of India (EFI) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) presents the EFI–CII National Awards for Excellence in Employee Relations – Pathways to Excellence 2026 | 9th Edition.
These prestigious national awards honour organizations across India that demonstrate exceptional commitment to employee relations, industrial harmony, workforce engagement, and inclusive people practices.
The awards recognize organizations that place employees at the center of business success and consistently create workplaces built on trust, fairness, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 & 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲
Over the years, India has witnessed multiple workplace and industrial relations challenges arising from:
● Disputes in management–union relationships
● Workforce volatility and contingent labour issues
● Gaps in employee engagement
● Lack of social security mechanisms
● Industrial conflicts and workplace disruptions
Recognizing the growing need for stronger employee relations frameworks, EFI launched the Pathways to Excellence Awards as a platform to encourage organizations to adopt progressive and people-centric ER practices.
Today, the awards have evolved into one of India’s leading platforms recognizing excellence in employee relations and industrial harmony.
𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
The awards aim to:
- Recognize organizations committed to employee-centric excellence
- Encourage progressive ER and HR practices
- Promote fairness, inclusivity, and responsible business conduct
- Strengthen industrial harmony and workforce engagement
- Celebrate organizations creating sustainable people practices
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲
Applications are invited from:
● Large Business Organizations
● Mid-Scale Businesses
● MSMEs
● Start-ups
Organizations across sectors are encouraged to participate and showcase their employee relations and workplace excellence initiatives.
𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
● Sustained Significant Achievement in Employee Relations
Recognizes long-term excellence in employee relations and workplace harmony.
● Strong Commitment to Employee Relations
Honours organizations are building people-centric and inclusive workplaces.
● Significant Achievement in Employee Relations
Acknowledges impactful improvements in ER, engagement, and HR practices.
● Special Appreciation Awards in Employee Relations
Recognizes innovative initiatives that strengthen employee trust and engagement.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬
Participating organizations will be assessed on:
𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 & 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
● Leadership involvement
● Governance frameworks
● Diversity & inclusion
● Responsible business conduct
𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
● Employee wellness initiatives
● Rewards & recognition
● Employee involvement and communication
● Workmen's wellness practices
𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
● Grievance handling
● Crisis readiness
● Engagement with government and labour bodies
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭–𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
● Union interaction philosophy
● Conflict resolution mechanisms
● Company-union collaboration practices
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬
The application process is adapted from the Human Resources Competency Development Model jointly developed by NHRDN and CII.
The evaluation includes:
● Registration/Application Submission
● Data Sheet Submission
● First Level Jury evaluation
● Main Jury Evaluation
● Awards
- Registration Closes: 15 June 2026
- Final Document Submission: 30 July 2026
- Evaluation Process: August 2026
- Award Ceremony: September 2026
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞
● National recognition for workplace excellence
● Strengthen employer brand and credibility
● Benchmark against leading organizations
● Gain expert feedback and insights
● Showcase people-centric business practices
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐔𝐬:
📞 +91 9820551619
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]