CHO Appreciation Award 2024  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • General
 
  1. Who should participate?

We encourage organizations that promote sustained employee happiness and focus on long-term positive impacts to participate. The award is open to organizations of any size or business nature in Hong Kong. Participants are encouraged to share their existing HR policies, practices, systems, or recent events related to wellbeing and happiness culture in the application form. These examples should have been implemented in the past 24 months (i.e., between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2024) for their employees.

 

  1. What benefits can my organizations gain from joining the CHO Appreciation Award 2024?

Participating in the CHO Appreciation Award 2024 can enhance your organization’s credibility and public recognition within the business community. It validates your hiring strategy, attracting potential talent to your organization. Additionally, it boosts your employer branding and reputation by showcasing best practices. Recognizing your employees’ achievements can also enhance morale and motivation.

 

  1. Which categories shall I be enrolled in?

Organizations with over 50 employees can apply for the Company Awards, Special Awards and compete for The Top 10 Happy Companies to Work For. Each organization can enroll up to 2 CHO Special Awards.

Organizations with 50 employees or fewer can apply for the SME Awards and compete for The Top 5 Happy SMEs to Work For.

Organizations can enroll candidates without limit to compete for the “Be My Own CHO” Individual Award.

  1. If my company falls into SME category, can I apply for Special Awards?

No, SMEs are not eligible to apply for Special Awards.

 

  1. Can I rejoin if I enrolled previously?

Yes! You are welcome to rejoin.

  1. What is the enrollment process?

Step One: Enrollment Form Submission

All interested organizations have to submit the enrollment form by 20 June 2024 to confirm the eligibility through https://choassociation.org/cho-appreciation-awards-2024/. CHOA will confirm the enrollment in 3 working days.

Step Two: Payment

After receiving the official entry form, the Secretariat Office will issue an invoice to the billing contact person within 3 working days. All payments should be settled before the official deadline submission on or before 20 June 2024 to qualify for selection.

  1. How much is the entry fee?

The enrollment fees are as follows:

  • Company Award: HK$4,800
  • SME Award: HK$1,800
  • Each Special Award: HK$1,000
  • Individual Award: HK$2,000
  1. What kind of payment methods are available?

We accept bank transfer, FPS and cheques.

Judging Stage

 

  1. What has to be done for written paper submission?

All participating organizations have to submit a written paper. The paper should include the existing HR policies, practices, systems or recent events that are related to wellbeing and happiness culture, as well as  the quantifiable outcome to be obtained and evaluated, whether the initiatives achieve the stated objectives and demonstrated sustainable outcomes. This part accounts for 20% of the total score. Organizations that are interested in competing for other Special Awards and Individual Award have to submit related supplementary information.


  1. Any tips for written paper submission?

It is highly recommended to mention the quantifiable and measurable outcomes that are promoting the sustained happiness of employees and their positive long-term impact towards sustainable development.


  1. Can I submit a video together with written paper?

Yes, it is optional to submit a video of up to 5 minutes as supplementary information. The video can be in English, Cantonese, or Mandarin. If Cantonese or Mandarin is used, please provide English subtitles.


  1. Can I include my company website in the written paper?

Any additional information submitted via external links will not be considered within the scope of the assessment.


  1. What is the Happiness Index Survey?
  • Organizations with 51 to 1000 employees must submit surveys from 10% of their employees by 25 July 2024. Employees should come from at least 3 different departments, with varying levels and seniorities. This part accounts for 30% of the total score.

Organizations with more than 1000 employees must submit surveys from 5% of their employees.

  • Participating SMEs with 1 to 30 employees must submit surveys from 50% of their employees by 25 July 2024.

Participating SMEs with 31 to 50 employees must submit surveys from 30% of their employees. Employees should come from different departments, with varying levels and seniorities. This part accounts for 50% of the total score.


  1. Who will need to submit the Happiness Index Survey?

It is recommended to have employees from at least 3 different departments, with varying levels and seniorities to provide a more comprehensive assessment.


  1. Can I have a look on who conducted the Happiness Index Survey and their answers?

No, the survey is anonymous, and the answers will not be shared to maintain confidentiality.


  1. Will I be able to receive a report after conducting the Happiness Index Survey?

Yes, an individual report will be sent after the Award Presentation Ceremony. Additionally, there will be an optional 1-hour Zoom consultation with charge. Details will be shared after the ceremony at the end of October.


  1. What is the Final Presentation Seminar?

The finalists will be required to share their programs, practices and strategies in the final presentation seminar, which will be an open-to-public seminar on that day. Finalists will give a 10-minute presentation in Cantonese / English and followed by a 5-minute Q&A session by the judging committee. Finalists may send a maximum of three representatives to conduct the presentation. The presentation mode includes PowerPoint presentation, storytelling, drama and others. This part accounts for 50% of the total score. Top 10 Happy Companies to Work For will be granted to the organizations that attain top 10 highest score.

The Final Presentation Seminar will be held at the Wave on 26 September 2024.


  1. When will I be notified if I am the Finalist?

Based on the Happiness Index Survey analysis and written paper submissions, finalists will be confirmed by 26 August 2024 via email.


  1. If my company falls into SME category, do I need to present in the Final Presentation Seminar?

No, SMEs do not need to present. You only need to submit the Happiness Index Survey and the written paper.


Result Announcement Stage

  1. When is the Award Presentation Ceremony?

The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held at Hong Kong Productivity Council on 28 October 2024.


  1. Will I be notified that my company will be awarded before the Presentation Ceremony?

Winning companies will be notified via email in early October. These companies will have a 1-minute speech on stage during the ceremony. Further details will be released after the results announcement.


  1. Are there any fees and benefits applied to the winning companies?
 

Winners of Top 10 Happy Companies to Work For & Top 5 Happy SMEs to Work For

An approximately HK$18,000 exclusive value-added promotional package will be applied. Details will be announced after the winning results are announced. Please refer to last year’s promotional package:

  • A media interview and tailor-made a “CHO Appreciation Award”
  • Corporate Video, which will be published on the association’s website, social media platforms and eDM to CHO community.
  • An online article of the “CHO Appreciation Award” will be published on the association’s website, social media platforms and eDM to CHO community (with the winning news as the entry point, the text will introduce company’s key business and corporate culture).
  • Online media to report the winning news.
  • The right to use the “CHO” logo for one-year publicity purposes.
  • Free Corporate MEMBERSHIP of “Chief Happiness Officer Association” (worth $2800) and receive a series of free or member discount corporate coaching courses and other exclusive benefits.
 

Winners of CHO Special Awards

An approximately HK$5,800 exclusive value-added promotional package will be applied. Details will be announced after the winning results are announced. Please refer to last year’s promotional package:

  • An online article about the “CHO Appreciation Award” will be published on the association’s website and social media platforms (with the winning news as the entry point, the text will introduce company’s key business and corporate culture).
  • Online media to report the winning news.
  • The right to use the “CHO” logo for one-year publicity purposes.
  • Free SME Membership of “Chief Happiness Officer Association” (worth $2800) and receive a series of free or member discount corporate coaching courses and other exclusive benefits

For any further queries, please contact Chief Happiness Officer Association Secretariat at 6263 6263 or email info@choassociation.org