The First Word: Redefining leadership for APAC’s evolving workforce
Across the Asia-Pacific, leaders are being asked to deliver results in talent markets that are tighter, more complex, and less predictable. As workforce expectations evolve and competition for critical skills intensifies, traditional models of leadership are no longer sufficient. Increasingly, success depends not just on what leaders know, but on how effectively they build capability […]
The First Word: Evolving work pass landscape is reshaping global mobility
Singapore has long been a beacon for multinational companies and international talent, renowned for its political stability, robust infrastructure, and pro-business environment. With the government’s continued emphasis on fast-growing sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and clean energy, the city-state’s appeal continues to grow. For global HR teams, Singapore is not just a regional base—it’s […]
The First Word: How to cultivate a thriving global workforce
Asia, the world’s largest and most populous continent, is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and histories. Nowhere is this diversity more evident than in global business hubs like Singapore, where international workforces bring together a wide range of perspectives and experiences. For companies operating in such dynamic environments, fostering a workplace culture […]
The First Word: Strengthening whistleblowing for transparency and integrity
The role of whistleblowing has never been more critical as organisations across Asia Pacific strive for greater transparency and stronger ethical conduct. In the past year, companies have faced increasing scrutiny over their internal culture and transparency. As a result, many organisations are adopting and promoting whistleblower policies to foster a culture of integrity and […]
The First Word: “Always-on” culture and the pressure to stay busy
The rise-and-grind mentality of hustle culture has turned into a practice that equates with hard work. However, reports by Slack and BambooHR indicate a new type of working phenomenon that employees and their managers engage in – performative productivity, also known as fauxductivity. In the race for success, many workers feel the need to ‘play […]
The First Word: Charting the path towards a generative AI-powered future of work
Employees continue to bear the brunt of an increasing workload in the face of increased economic uncertainty in Singapore and around the world. Almost a third of employees in Singapore indicated feeling extremely or very burnt out, up from 26% in 2023, according to a recent UiPath survey. Amid growing workforce fatigue, generative AI (Gen […]
The First Word: Volatility drives tech workers to interim jobs
Within the technology employment scene, the sole constant appears to be change itself, with employment patterns shifting rapidly. My role as an executive recruiter specialising in interim roles has given me a front-row seat to this evolution. The move towards project-based or fixed-term work is not just a passing trend; it reflects significant transformations within […]
The First Word: Shifting the needle at work with the power of flexibility
Nearly half of employers in the APAC region (46%) are introducing more flexible working policies this year to attract top talent. Coincidentally, and more recently, governments in Australia and Singapore have also announced new policies and guidelines promoting flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements not only help companies attract and retain top talent, but they […]
Case in Point: How UOB supports employees’ transition into retirement
When the United Overseas Bank (UOB) set its sights on how to better take care of employees nearing retirement, the company came up with a specialised set of workshops and post-retirement benefits under SURF, or “Supporting Ur Retirement and Future.” SURF aims to provide much-needed support for employees in preparation for life after working. The […]
The First Word: Growing tomorrow’s workforce today
Youth underemployment is one of today’s most pressing challenges. Young people make up 38% of the global workforce; a percentage that is set to rise to 58% by 2030. What is most astonishing is that they are three times more likely to be unemployed than older adults – a concerning reality that impacts all of […]
