Forbes Marshall, the Poona-based energy conservation, environment and process efficiency company, has secured 11th place among the top 25 "Best Workplaces” in India for the year 2011. The survey was conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute in association with The Economic Times. This is the third time Forbes Marshall has featured among the top 25 Best Workplaces, having earned that distinction in 2005 and 2008 as well. Darius Forbes is the chairman, Maharookh, Farhad and Rati Forbes and Dr Naushad Forbes are on the board of directors. The management team includes family and non-family members.
Forbes Marshall ranked second among companies in the manufacturing/production industry, the others being mainly from the Information Technology sector, as well as from finance, fast-moving consumer goods, real estate, hospitality, etc. The engineering major was also adjudged the second best company in employee participation in CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities. Forbes Marshall was the only company from Poona to make it to the top 50. "The top 50 best workplaces are concentrated in Bombay, NCR (national capital region) and Bangalore, but also have representation from Madras, Poona, Vizagapatam, Ahmedabad and Ludhiana,” reports The Financial Express, July 17, 2011. Google India, Makemytrip, Marriot, Intel and American Express ranked among the best companies to work for in India this year, the paper adds. The Great Place to Work Institute has been conducting the study annually in around 40 countries, covering a million employees. Over 470 corporates participated in the survey this year in India.
Rati Forbes (front row, 3rd from left) and members of the Forbes Marshall team display the ‘Great Place to Work’ awards
In the survey, employees are asked to rate their organizations on aspects like credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. Employee responses are given two-thirds weightage, with one-third being allotted to information received from the company to the Institute’s questionnaire. Forbes Marshall scored on parameters like a comfortable and engaging work environment, open communication, management training programs and the absence of hierarchy. A noteworthy best practice is the "value digression council and its activities” and the family spirit, culture and employee trust prevalent at Forbes Marshall, the survey records.