Five practical ways HR can bridge critical digital skills gaps
The rapid digital transformation across Southeast Asia, driven by the growth of the internet economy, has left many organisations struggling to keep pace. From e-commerce booms to the integration of AI in financial services, the demand for tech-savvy talent far outstrips the supply. HR leaders are now at the forefront of this challenge, tasked with […]
Employees’ wellbeing in daily banking operations
AFFIN Bank Berhad secured the Best Health and Wellness Initiatives crown at the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia, highlighting how an organisation can successfully integrate physical and mental health programmes into its daily corporate rhythm. Rather than treating corporate wellness as a passive employee perk, the bank has built a structured, preventative health ecosystem designed […]
The First Word: Employee wellbeing matters for talent retention
Employee wellbeing is no longer peripheral. It is one of the clearest indicators of whether an organisation’s values are real. As employers navigate shifting expectations, capacity pressures and talent constraints, wellbeing shapes whether people feel respected, supported and are able to perform over time. That explains why retention remains high on the agenda. But wellbeing […]
Beyond the Prescription: Pyridam Farma’s HR success
PT Pyridam Farma Tbk has won Best Health and Wellness Interventions at the 2025-2026 HR Stars Awards Indonesia, proving that a pharmaceutical company knows a thing or two about taking care of its own. This award is specifically designed to highlight companies that go the extra mile, creating unique and innovative programmes that actually make […]
Five signs employee burnout is becoming systemic
Employee burnout is no longer an isolated wellbeing concern but an organisational risk across Southeast Asia. Prolonged workload pressure, economic uncertainty, and rapid digital adoption have intensified expectations in many industries. In financial services hubs like Singapore and manufacturing centres in Vietnam and Thailand, sustained performance demands are testing workforce resilience. While individual burnout cases […]
Collins Aerospace takes employee wellness to new heights
When organisations talk about caring for their people, HR practitioners know that words only matter when they are backed by consistent action. At Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, employee wellness is not positioned as a standalone programme. It is embedded into how the organisation supports its people every day. This people-first approach earned Collins Aerospace […]
Five “people risks” organisations often overlook
The start of the year often brings renewed energy, fresh plans, and ambitious targets for organisations across Southeast Asia. Budgets are approved, strategies are launched, and HR teams shift quickly into execution mode. Yet this period also carries hidden risks that are frequently underestimated or missed entirely. In many organisations, early-year optimism can mask underlying […]
Why healthcare HR demands a different kind of leadership
Healthcare is unlike any other industry. At its core, it is about people caring for people, often in moments that matter most. For Razila Duah, leading Human Resources in this environment has profoundly shaped her perspective. As she puts it, “my motivation has always been simple but deeply rooted: to create workplaces where employees feel […]
Five strategies for employee wellbeing programmes
Employee wellbeing has emerged as a critical focus area for organisations across Southeast Asia, particularly as workforces navigate post-pandemic realities. The region’s distinctive blend of cultural values, rapid development, and varying healthcare systems creates unique challenges for HR professionals implementing comprehensive wellbeing initiatives. Mental health awareness is growing, though stigma remains a significant barrier in […]
The First Word: Mental health at the workplace
Across Southeast Asia, mental health has become a key HR concern. A 2022 study across four countries found burnout prevalence at 62.9%, with one-third of respondents reporting severe anxiety and depression1. A subsequent study in 2024 found that Generation Z employees were at the highest risk of mental health challenges, and that younger employees expect […]
