From great place to work to great place to thrive

Around the world, DHL Express continues to earn recognition as one of the leading employers – ranking 1^st or 2^nd in Fortune World’s Best Workplaces^TM for six years running and maintaining the tops spots in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. In Europe, the company has now been named the best workplace in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in Europe 2025 – its fifth consecutive year at the top.

This consistency hasn’t come by chance or through a single initiative. It reflects a culture built on respect, learning, and continuous improvement – guided by a simple yet powerful formula: Motivated People deliver Great Service Quality, which creates Loyal Customers and drives a Profitable Business.

Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Europe, says this people-first approach, grounded in honest feedback, is lived every day and the foundation of success.

 “Our culture is built on respect and results,” he says. “And feedback is the fuel that keeps us moving forward. “My team understands that feedback is a gift. It’s how we grow, how we win together. If we’re not learning, we’re standing still.”

Eva Leitner, SVP of HR at DHL Express Europe, agrees – and says there’s a “secret sauce” behind this culture. Not a shortcut, but something more fundamental: A shared experience that instils a commitment to learning and connects everyone to the company’s mission from day one.

“That “secret sauce” is our Certified International Specialist (CIS) program,” she says. “Everyone who joins our team takes part. It ensures that each and every member of our team understands our mission and values – what it means to deliver excellence and how we connect people and improve lives.

On the surface, it may sound like your standard onboarding program, but CIS goes far beyond that. It’s a modular learning platform with courses tailored for different roles and functions. It also includes leadership training, such as the Certified International Manager (CIM) Supervisory Excellence program – an 18-month journey that develops leadership and coaching skills and culminates in a graduation ceremony that rivals any university: caps, gowns, and live-streamed celebrations for families.

“CIS really sets the tone for excellence and growth at DHL Express,” says Eva. “It gives every person – from day one – an in-depth understanding of our business and culture. It’s not just training; it’s a shared experience that connects us all.”

This shared foundation shapes not only how our people learn, but how our leaders lead.

The commitment to learning established through CIS and CIM comes to life in the way our leaders show up each day, says Mike. Being present where it matters most is a fundamental principle of leadership at DHL Express.

“You’ll rarely find us locked in a boardroom,” he says. “Our purpose as leaders is our presence – being out in the field, shoulder-to-shoulder with our teams. That’s where the magic happens. We’re there to listen, support, enable, and make our company the best it can be.”

This hands-on approach feeds right back into our culture of continuous improvement. It empowers people to speak up – to share ideas and solutions that make life better for both their colleagues and our customers.

And when those ideas turn into results, DHL Express makes sure to celebrate.

Recognition plays a big role in life at DHL Express, says Eva. It’s woven into the fabric of the company’s identity. Annual events like the Employee of the Year gala to the DHL EuroCup, and the Courier Competition – The Ring - are all part of celebrating success.

“We go all out to celebrate our people,” says Eva. “That’s because they drive everything we do. Recognition isn’t an HR program – it’s part of who we are. These events aren’t just fun; they reinforce the pride and passion that make DHL Express special.”

That spirit extends beyond the workplace through DHL’s Got Heart, an initiative that celebrates employees’ contributions to their communities – from refugee support in Uganda to volunteering with homeless charities. Each year in Europe, five employee-nominated charities receive €25,000, with many more also receiving donations from DHL thanks to employees’ efforts.

“DHL’s Got Heart is truly special,” says Eva. “It’s like nothing else I’ve ever seen –  supporting the causes our people care about most. Every year, I’m humbled by the stories that come in.” 

Mike says that while recognition and community impact are powerful motivators, the ultimate goal is to create an environment where people don’t just work – they thrive.

“We want DHL Express to be a Great Place to Thrive,” says Mike Parra. “That means helping people maximize their potential. For those who stay curious, the possibilities are endless – new roles, new countries, new challenges. When you’re part of a global network, the world really is your career.”

Mike speaks from experience. His own journey – from regional manager based in Denver, CO (USA) to leading DHL Express Americas, to taking on the CEO role for Europe – reflects the possibilities available within a global organization like DHL Express.

Simply put: helping people thrive means giving them the chance to keep growing. Everything that defines life at DHL Express – the learning, the leadership, and the recognition – all comes together for that purpose.

But it doesn’t stop there. The company also looks externally to understand how it’s progressing.

Eva explains: “Participating in Great Place to Work® is not about seeking accolades – it’s a valuable external benchmark. While our Employee Opinion Survey helps us gather deep internal insights to drive engagement and improvement, GPTW offers an outside perspective on our workplace culture. Together, they show us where we’re strong and where we can keep raising the bar.”

And it’s working. DHL Express closed gaps year after year to reach – and sustain –  the top spot in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work for in Europe for an incredible five years running.

Five years at the top isn’t luck – it’s the result of a culture built on respect, feedback, continuous learning, and genuine celebration. Mike Parra and his team at DHL Express Europe show that when people are supported, recognized, and given room to grow, they don’t just contribute – they thrive.

And as we see in Asia and Latin America, where DHL Express also leads the rankings, when our people thrive, our business does too.