The fourth annual Top 10 Employers in Bermuda 2012 survey results are in and Bacardi International has taken the top spot.This year, the survey was sponsored by financial services firm PwC and conducted in partnership with Mindmaps, one of Bermuda’s leading quantitative research firms. Mindmaps took the survey online and provided statistical analysis of the key measurement areas.Bacardi joined the survey in 2011, placing number two. This year the company continued its march up the rankings and took top honours.“I think it’s a great recognition for the type of environment that we’ve created here, which is a very open, transparent and highly communicative culture,” said Ed Shirley, CEO of Bacardi International. “We’re very proud and pleased that the employees see it that way. It’s a great honour.”The survey’s two phases focused on generating data from both employers and employees regarding a number of key employment areas including staff benefits, hiring rates, workplace safety and conditions, internal communication, compensation, corporate culture and overall satisfaction, among other areas.Each year the survey grows larger with entrants representing major industries in Bermuda. From shipping and hospitality to financial services and insurance, both local and international, it was the largest pool of entrants to date.There were several new entrants this year, including BAS-Serco and Validus, placing fifth and seventh, respectively. There was a tie for seventh place, and two companies who had been on the Honourable Mention list in 2011, jumped into the top ten this year.In 2012, employees surveyed were all about family. The common thread among the companies at the top was that their staff felt their workplace was a home away from home and that they were treated like members of a family unit.During a year marked by economic struggle, it can be difficult to be a good employer yet these companies have demonstrated that it can be done and their employees thank them for it with loyalty and productivity.“Being a family-owned company and the values that go along with being a family-owned company, employees feel that they are not just part of a big corporate machine,” said Mr Shirley of Bacardi, which is celebrating its 150th year as the largest privately held spirits company in the world.Mr Shirley joined the company earlier this year after a long career at consumer goods giant Proctor and Gamble and then moved over to Gillette (a division of P&G). He has lived in several countries.“One of the reasons I joined the company was its rich history,” he said.“It’s really grounded in family values, perseverance, overcoming adversity and winning. I think that’s reflective of the employees of today and that’s why many of the employees have joined the company.”Despite redundancies at the company this year, Bacardi has not cut back on its generous employee benefit programmes and perks, such as free breakfast and lunch, as well as free parking.Employees also receive bonuses, 13 weeks of paid maternity and one week of paternity leave, $1,500 towards an external gym membership and a childcare stipend of $500 per month, per child, from birth to age four.The company also offers a variety of sports teams, running events and golf tournaments, in addition to scholarship and mentoring programmes, as well as charitable giving projects.Bacardi is also certified by Investors in People, a globally recognised business and staff development programme, and achieved Gold status this year.The company also operates in almost every major market in the world and employees, should they be interested, can take advantage of an international assignment.“As we talk to our employees and they provide us feedback on management, the fact that we live those values every day is why we get positive feedback,” said Mr Shirley.“It’s something you have to earn every year, can’t take it for granted and that’s the type of culture I’m looking to continue.”Do you think your company has what it takes to be an employer that stands out in Bermuda?Contact us to enter the 2013 survey on info@bottomline.bm or 295-5881.