JOBSTREET by SEEK recently honoured Malaysia’s leading employers and human resources (HR) leaders at the SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026.
Held under the theme, “Where Work and Purpose Meet: Recognising Workplaces Malaysians Grow With”, the annual awards recognise organisations that are creating meaningful workplace cultures and setting new benchmarks for employee experience, wellbeing and organisational excellence.
It celebrates employers that successfully bring together people, growth and purpose to create workplaces where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
Building on the success of its two previous editions in recent years, SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 champions organisations and leaders that set new benchmarks for workplace excellence through people-first practices, purposeful growth and measurable impact.
The awards recognise excellence across three pillars: Top-Voted Employers Awards, SEEK People & Purpose Excellence Awards and Submission Award Categories (through a judging process).
The Top-Voted Employers Awards pillar honours organisations that have earned the trust and endorsement of working Malaysians through a nationwide public-voting exercise conducted in partnership with Ipsos Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the SEEK People & Purpose Excellence Awards celebrate organisations that have demonstrated outstanding employer brand and hiring performance based on market and platform data.
Finally, the submission awards categories acknowledge organisations and leaders that are driving meaningful impact through people-focused strategies and workplace practices, including:
> Best Employee Development Programme: Recognising organisations that invest in employee growth, learning and future-ready skills.
> Best Sustainable HR Practices: Celebrating employers that balance business success with employee wellbeing and long-term workforce sustainability.
> Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Awards: Recognising organisations that foster equitable opportunities and inclusive workplace cultures.
> Employer of the Year: Honouring organisations that demonstrate excellence across the employee experience, from leadership and culture to people development.
> The People Leader of the Year: Recognising leaders who have championed transformative people practices and delivered lasting organisational impact.
Together, these awards celebrate organisations that are creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.
Putting purpose at the core
The awards come at a time when employers are facing growing pressure to attract and retain talent amid evolving workforce expectations.
Beyond recognition, SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 also serves as a reflection of how workplace priorities in Malaysia are shifting in real time.
As organisations navigate digital transformation, multigenerational workforces and rising expectations for flexibility, the role of HR has evolved from operational support to strategic leadership.
Today’s leading employers are no longer defined solely by compensation or benefits, but by how effectively they create environments where employees can find meaning in their work, develop new capabilities and maintain a sense of balance.
According to Jobstreet by SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index, purpose is now the strongest driver of workplace happiness among Malaysians, ranking ahead of compensation, flexibility and career progression.
The research also found that while 70% of Malaysians report being happy at work, nearly one in three workers remain neutral or unhappy.
At the same time, 41% of employees say they feel burnt out or exhausted by their jobs, while only 36% are satisfied with their stress levels.
Importantly, employees who feel happy at work are three times more likely to go above and beyond their roles and are significantly less likely to consider leaving their employer, highlighting the direct connection between employee experience and organisational performance.
As these trends continue to shape the future of work, platforms such as SEEK People & Purpose Awards play an important role in setting benchmarks and sharing best practices across industries.
“The organisations recognised through SEEK People & Purpose Awards are demonstrating that great workplaces are built through intentional and sustained investment in people,” said Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia managing director Nicholas Lam.
“Whether it is developing future-ready talent, fostering inclusive cultures, supporting employee wellbeing or empowering leaders to bring out the best in their teams, these organisations understand that people are at the heart of business success.
“Their achievements show that creating meaningful employee experiences is not only beneficial for employees, but also strengthens organisational resilience, innovation and long-term growth.”
Unlike many other employer awards, SEEK People & Purpose Awards evaluates organisations through a holistic framework that combines public voting, independent judging and market performance.
This approach recognises employers not only for their intentions but also for the measurable impact of their workplace practices.
As workforce expectations evolve, SEEK People & Purpose Awards will continue to celebrate employers that are redefining what great workplaces look like, proving that when people, growth and purpose come together, both employees and businesses thrive.
For more information and to view the full list of winners and award criteria, visit https://my.employer.seek.com/page/seek-people-and-purpose-awards-2026-winner
