The Senate of the Dominican Republic has been certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW), becoming one of a select group of public institutions in the country to receive the internationally recognized workplace certification. According to the institution, more than 97% of its workforce expressed positive views about their work environment through an independent employee survey.
The certification is awarded by Great Place to Work, a global authority on workplace culture that evaluates organizations based on confidential employee feedback regarding trust, leadership, fairness, respect, and teamwork. The recognition was formally announced during a ceremony held at the Senate auditorium, where Senate President Ricardo de los Santos received the award.
Recognition Based on Employee Feedback
Sonya Uribe Mota, the Senate’s Director of Human Resources, emphasized that the certification was not the result of an internal administrative decision but rather reflected the direct opinions of employees who participated anonymously in the evaluation process.
She explained that the assessment was carried out with the support of the institution’s Planning Directorate and Human Resources Directorate, which coordinated the collection of organizational information and worked alongside Great Place to Work throughout the evaluation process.
“This certification confirms something we strive for every day through Human Resources: that the well-being of our employees is not an additional benefit but the center of our institutional management,” Uribe said.
Employee Benefits Highlighted
Ohelmi de la Cruz, Director of Planning, said the certification reflects several workplace initiatives implemented in recent years. These include competitive compensation, expanded parental leave, access to an on-site medical clinic and pharmacy, and continued investment in employee training and professional development.
According to De la Cruz, these initiatives have contributed to building a more efficient and people-centered institution while strengthening the Senate’s organizational culture.
“This certification confirms that we are successfully building a Senate that is more efficient, more human, and committed to excellence,” he said.
Recognition for the Institution’s Workforce
During the ceremony, Uribe and De la Cruz presented a commemorative award to Senate President Ricardo de los Santos in recognition of the milestone achieved during his administration. De los Santos, however, dedicated the recognition to the institution’s employees.
“This certification does not belong to the Senate Presidency; it belongs to every employee who performs their duties with dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment. I dedicate this recognition to them because their opinions made it possible,” he said.
The announcement was welcomed by employees, who celebrated with applause and expressions of enthusiasm during the event.
Joining a Select Group of Certified Institutions
By obtaining the certification, the Senate joins a limited number of organizations in both the Dominican public and private sectors that have earned Great Place to Work recognition. The institution said the achievement reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering a workplace culture built on trust, respect, inclusion, and professional development.
The ceremony was attended by several senators, including Augusto Velázquez, Aracelis Villanueva, Dagoberto Rodríguez, Franklin Romero, Gustavo Lara Salazar, and María Mercedes Ortiz, along with department directors and other institutional officials.