Mondelēz Malaysia adopts flexible working permanently

The Pledge fits well with the company’s diverse workforce in Malaysia, notably where 35% are working mothers. The new practices are also extended to all employees at the company’s production plants in Shah Alam and Prai, Penang.

Mondelēz has adopted permanent company-wide flexible working across its worldwide operations, including Mondelēz Malaysia. This is through its Flexible Working Pledge, which is enabling employees to work in a way that suits their overall life, while finding a balance between both professional and personal needs.

As a result, the snack maker behind Oreo, Cadbury and Jacob’s Biscuits has put in place the following practices for Southeast Asia:

• Plan meetings only between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm local time
• Not expect same-day responses after 6:00 pm requests
• Take time back after exceptional late-evening requests or meetings, at the next possible opportunity

“We aim to be sensitive to all our colleagues’ personal and family needs and respect their time and boundaries. We would like to enable our people to take care of their well-being and to continuously check in on each other to sustain our teamwork,” said Glenn Caton, Mondelēz International Business Unit President for South East Asia. This Business Unit covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as the Company’s Exports Business in the region.

Complementing the move towards flexible working arrangements, a survey by KPMG revealed that 60% of Malaysians agreed that work-from-home should continue after the movement control order as part of the new normal. The Pledge fits well with the company’s diverse workforce in Malaysia, notably where 35% are working mothers. The new practices are also extended to all employees at the company’s production plants in Shah Alam and Prai, Penang.

"Rethinking what we used to consider as a workday is the first step in adapting to the evolving structure of modern workplace. The Flexible Working Pledge supports our people by enabling the time they need for their families or themselves, while ensuring that we continue to remain productive as a business,” added James Kane, Mondelēz International Managing Director for Malaysia.

Together with the South East Asia Leadership Team, Caton has also made a personal commitment for their teams in support of the Flexible Working Pledge. “We believe in the benefits of flexible working, as such this is a commitment, we’re making not only during this time of the pandemic but will apply even once we’ve emerged from lockdowns,” he affirmed.

Lead photo / 123RF