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 […]
APAC needs to prepare for green jobs, ADB says
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recommended that Asia-Pacific countries prepare their workforce for green jobs as the region transitions to a low-carbon economy. In its paper titled “Preparing the Workforce for the Low-Carbon Economy: A Closer Look at Green Jobs and Green Skills,” the ADB said that countries in the region need to conduct […]
LinkedIn launches AI tools for future of work
LinkedIn today announced the launch of new generative AI tools in Recruiter and Learning Hub to help organisations prepare for the future of work. These tools are designed to help HR teams focus on more strategic work, such as building relationships with candidates and fostering a strong company culture. The new AI-assisted recruiting tools can […]
AI and machine learning top of mind for C-suite leaders
A recent survey of over 2,300 business leaders from around the world has found that they are optimistic about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) on their businesses, despite some concerns about trust and data accessibility. The survey, conducted by Workday, found that 98% of CEOs believe there would be […]
Global employees missing work due to low wellbeing, survey shows
Global employees reported missing an average of five days of work in the past 12 months due to low wellbeing. According to the study conducted by Lululemon, 58% said they cannot be the best version of themselves when their wellbeing is low while 37% of employees said they would fall behind on work responsibilities. So […]
HR Champions: Wong Sze Keed on taking care of staff
Title: CEO Organisation: AIA Singapore Office headquarters: Singapore Company operations: Asia Pacific Industry: Insurance Employees: 1,001-5,000 Coming in as CEO at the height of the pandemic, Wong Sze Keed immediately built on the holistic wellness of her people. The difficult period simply deepened her recognition that, “if they are well taken care of, they can […]
