Sujith Olachery

Human resource manager

Saipem Singapore

What was your first HR job?

My first HR job was in 1994, when I moved to Dubai under the Malhotra Group. There I did a mix of HR and finance in my work.

So why a career in HR?

I feel that I am meant for HR. I’m a people person, and I am very much interested in the different people cultures and different work environment.

When you look at cultures, there are different kinds of culture, such as national culture, sub-culture, organisational cultures. To be a successful global company, you would need to have culture that needs to be understood, otherwise you would not be successful.

While a finance background is good, I am always interested in understand how people behave. So I enjoy understanding employees and seeing the business in a human perspective.

If I weren’t in HR what do you think you would be doing?

If I weren’t an HR practitioner, I think I would still remain in the finance division.

What do you think HR can do to be more strategic?

I think HR has to strike a balance between employees’ needs and the business needs.

Employees always expect to be supported by their organisation if they have some personal issues. As a person, I expect if something bad happens to me, someone will there to support me. That is a fair expectation.

But again organisations have their limitations. Within these boundaries, as HR practitioners, we should be consider both sides and be a voice for the management and employees.

So which HR function do you like best?

I would say that global assignment and management, because it touches on a wide array of HR aspects and has many challenges, such as compensation & benefits and cultural issues.

What do you do in your spare time?

Sometimes I go to the gym, swim or go for yoga. Other times I meditate.