Transforming HR from a support function to a business driver: Why the ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 matter

The workplace is facing a $10 trillion challenge. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2026 report, global employee engagement has fallen to just 20%, with disengagement costing the global economy trillions in lost productivity. Yet, the same report points to a clear differentiator: In best-practice organisations, manager engagement stands at 79%, nearly four times the global average.

The gap is becoming increasingly clear. Organisations that invest in their people are not simply building better workplaces; they are strengthening business performance. Human Resources is moving beyond its traditional role as a support function to become a strategic driver of productivity, retention, culture and growth. Research has consistently linked a stronger employee experience with better business outcomes, while organisations are increasingly recognising that effective people strategies can directly influence their ability to attract and retain talent.

Also Read More: The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027: Time to put your team’s efforts at transforming employee support in the spotlight


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This shift is changing what HR excellence means. It is no longer enough to have policies, processes or programmes in place. The real question is: What difference did they make?

That is the thinking behind the ET HR Excellence Awards 2027. The platform recognises organisations, teams and leaders that are moving beyond conventional HR practices to create measurable impact, whether through talent transformation, employee experience, workplace culture, leadership or technology-led change.

With 30+ categories across three tracks: Organisation Excellence, Team Excellence and Leadership Honours the awards offer a platform for different facets of HR excellence to be recognised. From organisations building high-performing and people-centric workplaces to HR teams delivering transformation on the ground, and leaders shaping people strategy at the highest level, the awards spotlight the work that often sits behind business success.

What makes this recognition particularly relevant today is its focus on impact, not intent. Strong HR initiatives are those that solve real workplace challenges and create outcomes that can be demonstrated through better employee experiences, stronger talent pipelines, improved efficiency, higher engagement, or meaningful business results.

Recognition, therefore, becomes more than a badge. It is an opportunity to benchmark your work, establish credibility within the industry and showcase the people strategies that are helping your organisation move forward.

If your HR initiative has created a measurable impact, this is the time to put its story in the spotlight.

Nominations for the ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 are now open. Showcase the work that is shaping better workplaces and stronger businesses.