The ratings from the research phase determine whether or not the participating organisation is certified as a Best Employer. This scrutiny is uncommon and resulted in the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, giving full marks on reliability. The results are therefore more meaningful when comparisons are made to peer group organisations. 

The standard for rating is developed by the CRF Institute in conjunction with its panel of HR experts. Ratings are project-specific and are adapted to each country. They are also reviewed and updated annually to maximise their relevance for participating organisations, their (future) staff and other stakeholders. 

These ratings of HR policies are translated into an overall ‘star rating’ for each main category, and featured in the Best Employers book and web site. They enable a degree of comparison between Best Employers on Pay & Benefits, Training & Development, Career Opportunities, Working Conditions and Company Culture. 

Participants that do not meet the requirements in the rating phase will get a full report on their performance and their position in the Benchmark. Their participation remains confidential and they will not be certified as a Best Employer.