A thriving workplace culture starts with total wellbeing for all employees

Speaking at the recently concluded HR Tech Festival Asia 2023, Shaun Ee, Cluster Head of People for Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS) and Heineken Myanmar, delved into the pressing need for organisations to prioritise total wellbeing in their approach to employee satisfaction.

Following his insightful talk on the latest trends and best practices in total wellbeing, HRM Asia reached out to Ee for more practical insights and strategies that leaders can implement to support and enhance the health and happiness of their workforce.

What strategies or approaches do you employ to effectively manage supervisors who exhibit a lack of support for employee wellbeing initiatives?

Ee: At APBS, we are committed to actively supporting our employees and supervisors in embracing and championing employee wellbeing initiatives. We believe in leading by example, and we encourage supervisors to prioritise self-care and set boundaries, demonstrating the significance of wellbeing in their own lives. Transparent and open communication is at the core of our approach, as we facilitate regular check-ins between supervisors and their respective department heads to ensure that all employees receive the necessary support.

To further enhance their leadership skills, our supervisors undergo a people manager capability development programme, which focuses on developing leadership abilities while emphasising our organisational values, promoting personal growth, and fostering self-awareness. By equipping our supervisors with these tools and knowledge, they become stronger and more empathetic leaders who positively impact employee wellbeing and nurture a thriving workplace culture.

What indicators do you use to demonstrate the impact of wellbeing practices on productivity?

Ee: At APBS, we regularly monitor employee engagement levels through surveys and feedback sessions. By gathering both quantitative and qualitative data on how wellbeing practices influence productivity and overall work experience, we gain valuable insights into their direct impact. As an organisation, we value feedback as a gift, and have implemented various channels like employee listening sessions, department-level #AskMeAnything sessions with senior leadership, feedback loops during our quarterly townhall meetings and even an APBS Virtual suggestion box, which provide employees with the opportunity to share their experiences and provide feedback accordingly. This feedback enables us to understand the effectiveness of our initiatives so that we can make necessary adjustments.

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Our recent achievements also serve as indicators of the positive impact of our wellbeing practices on productivity. In April 2023, APBS was certified as a Great Place To Work and ranked among Singapore’s Top 10 Employers in the Best Employers 2023 list by The Straits Times. These accolades reflect the effectiveness of our commitment to employee wellbeing, resulting in a highly engaged and dedicated workforce that contributes to our organisation’s overall success. They also motivate us to continue engaging our employees to understand how else we can support them, as APBS achieves our ambitions as a high-performing organisation.

Which wellbeing pillar do you think present the greatest challenge in terms of implementation or encouraging teams?

Ee: All pillars of wellbeing are equally important in fostering approach to employee wellbeing. However, as someone deeply committed to employee wellbeing at APBS, I find that that the emotional wellbeing pillar presents a significant opportunity for growth and empowerment in our journey towards creating a thriving workforce and fulfilling our organisation’s purpose of brewing the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world.

Emotional wellbeing is a very important dimension, as it is all about a sense of awareness and control over our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is about resilience, our ability to cope with challenges, keeping things in perspective and bouncing forward from difficult times into a better place. Especially in recent times of uncertainty, it is crucial for our teams to prioritise their emotional wellbeing. By intentionally taking time for self-care, practicing positivity, and being fully present in moments that bring joy and happiness, our employees can cultivate resilience and maintain a healthy perspective. Together, we will then build an inclusive and supportive workplace where every employee feels a strong sense of belonging and is inspired to unleash their full potential.