SINGAPORE - DBS Bank topped the list of six best employers in Singapore for 2017, while five workplaces received special recognition for their employment practises, at an award ceremony held here on Tuesday (Sept 5).

The recognitions by Aon Hewitt, a global professional services firm, were based on a comprehensive survey which includes participants from a variety of industries like finance, hospitality and others.

DBS Bank was named best of the best employers followed by American Express International, DHL Express Singapore, FedEx Express Singapore, OCBC Bank and Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.

Eighty per cent of these best employers enable high performance culture, 81 per cent provide their employees with better infrastructure and 85 per cent offer more opportunities for collaboration, Aon said in a release.

Chief executives of the organisations recognised as best employers named operational and organisational efficiency and market factors as top two challenges impacting their company's ability to succeed.

Aon Hewitt also announced five special recognitions, with a Best Employer for Startups named for the first time - which went to CashShield, which provides fully automated solutions for online fraud management.

The Lo & Behold Group was recognised as the best employer for Small and Medium Enterprises, SUN-DAC as best employer for social service organisation, among others.

Aon Hewitt's best employers flagship programme is designed to improve employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, employer brand and culture to derive high growth.

"The Aon Best Employers programme gives organisations a clear view of where they stand in the market when it comes to employee engagement, leadership, employer brand, and culture to drive performance," said Jeremy Andrulis, chief executive Southeast Asia of Aon Hewitt.