How companies in Asia are celebrating the Lunar New Year

With 2 out of 3 Asian employers citing they would consider hiring an expatriate, Asia is fast becoming a diverse and colourful workforce. In fact, the Hays’ 2016 Asia salary guide revealed Singapore have more than a quarter of the workforce staffed with foreigners (28%), while Hong Kong and Malaysia reported 18% and 15% respectively.

Now that the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, we speak to some major organisations on what the festive season truly means for them.

Deloitte Singapore

Consultant Deloitte Singapore believes in giving back to the community. Every Lunar New Year, its staff collect unopened and unexpired food items for donation to needy households through The Foodbank Singapore. This year, it also participated in Community Chest’s Fú Dài giveaway where it sponsored 100 food bags, and staff volunteered to help pack and load the bags onto the vehicles for delivery.

Internally, the company will be having big celebration complete with a lion dance, lo hei and light snacks in office premises where all partners and employees will get-together. Each department will also organise their own celebrations, be it an office party or going out for a team lunch.

Seah Gek Choo, talent partner at Deloitte Singapore commented: “We celebrate all the major festivals, recognising that we have a diverse pool of talent with different cultures and backgrounds. Everyone is welcome to participate in the celebrations and share in one another’s experiences, and this helps to foster a vibrant and inclusive work environment,” she added.

NTUC FairPrice

An NTUC FairPrice spokesperson shared with Human Resources how its executives are looking forward to its annual festive celebration where they spend an afternoon together for team-bonding.

She said: “With FairPrice being such a big company with a diverse workforce, it’s all about understanding and helping each other. For example, some staff might clock in the hours to help out when their colleagues are away or busy celebrating Lunar New year. Similarly, those were celebrating staff then would also help out during other festive seasons.”

ODE Consulting

For ODE Consulting, Lunar New Year is all about family, relationships and charity - which is why the firm sponsored and served lunch to 150 clients and staff at the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN), Center for Adults (CFA). The event served a great reminder to always pay it forward.

The company has also declared New Year’s Eve as a holiday, so families can come together and enjoy time together. In addition, on the 7th day of the New Year, which is everybody’s birthday, ODE having a kick-off for 2017 and lo hei with all employees and partners.

Staff and partners also receive mandarin oranges and a fortune cookie for luck as a custom.

Speaking to Human Resources, Teo Jin Lee, founder and managing director of ODE Consulting concluded: “Family, relationships and charity - that is how we celebrate the Lunar New Year with our staff.”

Photo / iStock