6 HR leaders share the craziest thing on their wish list for the best employee experience

From fostering camaraderie to hiring a personal chef, these leaders reveal their visions for a happy and motivated workplace.

In today's competitive business landscape, a memorable employee experience is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent.

What this means for HR is to create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated.

From fostering meaningful colleague interactions to implementing innovative perks, a focus on enhancing the employee experience not only boosts morale but ensures that every team member remains happy, engaged, and hungry for success.

The recent Employee Experience Awards 2024 in Malaysia recognised employers who have harnessed the power of employee-centric strategies to drive value and maintain a competitive edge. 

With the night bringing EX champions together to celebrate their successes, HRO's Sarah Gideon took to the floor to ask some of our HR leaders in the room: What is the craziest thing on your wish list for the best employee experience? 

Six leaders share:

Edalyn D. Hadjula-Legarde, People & Culture Country Head, Dutch Lady Milk Industries

"To me, sometimes the simplest things are the most outrageous ones. I call it the '1%'. Do you say 'good morning' with a smile when you enter the office? Do you say 'thank you' when someone opens the door or gives you something or greets you and gives you a smile right in the office? 

"Or sometimes it's just about taking five- or ten-minutes during break time to sit with everyone in your team, or in the middle of the floor and ask everyone: 'How was your weekend?' 

"It's the simplest things and they call that the 1%; it's something that we usually forget during very stressful situations, but that 1% actually goes a long way. It's very simple, but very, very impactful." 

Nor Azliza Rahman, Chief People Officer, Affin Hwang Investment Bank

"I would want structured onboarding, a structured career path and structured journey for our people, from the day they onboard until they retire."

Cherry Choy, HR Director - Malaysia & Singapore, Moët Hennessy Diageo

"I hope that since day one, people who join the group or the company will be treated with a very luxurious experience, from their onboarding to their career development, and even until the off boarding.

"It would be a world-class, LV-brand experience, so that people really feel that they are really appreciated from day one."

Karine Mooi, General Manager, Human Resources, Fujifilm Business Innovation Asia Pacific

"My craziest wish would be to get recognition from the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia! That would be something which I think all of us as HR professionals will want as a form of recognition."

Lim Chee Gay, Group Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President Human Resources, TDCX

"One would be to travel in business class, the other would be unlimited leave, and the last one would be wellness programmes [such as a] spa or massage [session]."

Dr. Loo Leap Han, Head of People, Infinity Group

"We work very odd hours; we sometimes skip lunches. I want to have a well-known chef that serves us fine dining food the whole day."

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READ MORE: The #1 must-have for driving employee experience in your organisation: 3 leaders comment

Lead image / Provided to HRO