THE Dorset Echo-backed Dorset Business Awards is this year recognising the hard workers in the county with the Employee of the Year award.

The awards, organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are inviting employers to nominate their exemplary employees in this year’s category, sponsored by recruitment experts Hays.

Now in its second year, the Hays Employee of the Year award has been established to recognise the hard work and professionalism of a member of staff who has exceeded expectations and transformed a business for the better.

To nominate an employee, they must have been working within the company for two years and employers must describe the employee’s relationship with management and colleagues, highlight what value the employee adds to the company and how they have exceeded expectation and provide details of what has been the employee’s greatest work achievement to date and how it has helped the company.

Last year’s winner was Maria Tidy, the fundraising manager at the Lewis Manning Hospice in Poole, and she has encouraged firms to recognise their hard workers in this year’s category.

She said: “I was absolutely delighted to win this award, although I very much believe that it would not have been possible without my amazing team.

“Winning the Dorset Business Award has also been fantastic for the charity as a whole. Lewis-Manning Hospice is a small local charity and the PR received as a result or being involved in the awards has been immense right from the nomination stages.

“I would definitely encourage others to enter the Dorset Business Awards whether nominating their own businesses, clients or colleagues – it is such an honour to be a part of such a huge part of the Dorset Business community.”

Upon selection, judges will make an informal visit to all shortlisted companies during late September or early October for a short interview.

Samantha Paterson-Crofts at Hays in Dorset says: “An organisation is only as successful as its people, so employees really are any organisation’s greatest asset. At Hays, we believe the right person can transform a business and we are proud to be sponsoring the Employee of the Year Award at the 2014 Dorset Business Awards.” The awards are also backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105 and are free to enter.

The deadline for entries is on Friday, September 12 and the winners will be given their awards at a glitzy awards ceremony held at the Bournemouth International Centre on November 27.

For more information or to submit an entry, visit dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk