Bus Éireann wins Most Effective Employee Engagement Strategy at HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025

Distinguished for its innovative approach last year, Bus Éireann secured the Most Effective Employee Engagement Strategy award at the HR Leadership & Management Awards 2025, recognised for its Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards programme that redefined recognition across Ireland's national bus network.

The award-winning initiative addressed the fundamental challenge of engaging a large, geographically dispersed workforce operating across varied roles and responsibility levels. GEM Awards created a structured framework where employee contributions, from front-line service to strategic leadership, receive meaningful acknowledgment aligned with business objectives and organisational values.

Developed in direct response to employee feedback, the programme demonstrates how listening mechanisms can translate into cultural interventions with measurable impact. By embedding recognition into operational practice, Bus Éireann fostered inclusion, strengthened engagement, and reinforced continuous improvement as a shared responsibility.

"Bus Éireann wowed our panel with its innovative GEM Awards, celebrating employees across every level of a large and diverse workforce," the panel said. "By responding directly to employee feedback and linking recognition to business objectives, the programme fosters inclusion, engagement, and a culture of appreciation. From front-line heroes to senior leadership, it highlights the value of every role and reinforces continuous improvement across the organisation."

The recognition reflects evolving standards within the HR Leadership & Management Awards, where engagement strategies are increasingly assessed on their capacity to integrate employee feedback and support inclusive cultures.

As the 2026 awards cycle approaches, Bus Éireann's achievement sets a benchmark for organisations seeking to build engagement frameworks that operate effectively across diverse, dispersed workforces. The question now is: which employers will lead the next wave of innovation in recognition, employee voice, and culture transformation?

Visit the official HR Leadership & Management Awards website to explore past winners, review award categories, and subscribe to the newsletter for updates, insights, and coverage of Ireland's leading HR initiatives.