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Noelle Diong Shu Fen, HR Executive, reveals how the launch of the "Retail Exclusive Programme" turned around low wellness programme participation, driving higher engagement and enhancing employee wellbeing.
The year 2024 has seen many HR trends coming up, such as adopting AI, and internal mobility. However, ensuring corporate wellness has become another buzzword this year, reflecting a growing trend in the HR space. With an increasing emphasis on employee wellbeing, companies are recognising that a healthy workforce leads to higher engagement, productivity, and retention.
As mental health and physical wellness take centre stage, organisations are prioritising tailored wellness programmes to meet diverse employee needs and foster a supportive, thriving workplace culture.
Aspial Lifestyle is a prime example, consistently gathering employee feedback to understand the evolving needs of its workforce. This approach allows the company to create tailored initiatives that address key areas such as productivity, mental health, and job satisfaction, ensuring their wellness programmes remain relevant and impactful.
As a result, Aspial Lifestyle earned the bronze award for 'Excellence in Corporate Wellness' at the HR Excellence Awards 2024, Singapore.
In this interview, HRO speaks with Noelle Diong Shu Fen, HR Executive at Aspial Lifestyle, to learn more about the initiatives the organisation has implemented to foster a culture of wellbeing, enhancing employee satisfaction and strengthening talent retention.
Q. What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
Aspial Lifestyle’s people strategy is founded on the belief that a well-supported workforce is essential for long-term business success. We are committed to creating a workplace where Aspialites feel valued both personally and professionally, fostering a culture of engagement, performance, and loyalty. By utilising tools such as employee surveys, feedback forms, and focus groups, we actively gather inputs to continuously refine our wellness programmes. This ensures that our initiatives are relevant and address key areas such as productivity, mental health, and job satisfaction.
By aligning our efforts with the evolving needs of our workforce, we aim to promote a culture of well-being that enhances employee satisfaction, strengthens talent retention, and attracts top candidates, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and successful business model.
Q. Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
The initial low participation in our wellness programmes, especially among retail employees, was definitely a significant challenge for us. However, we did not give up and instead continued to seek to improve things. We gathered feedback to understand employee needs and used this to enhance our programmes.
One of the positive outcomes is the launch of the "Retail Exclusive Programme" targeted at our retail frontliners. We offered more flexible options, such as home workout tools, health screening packages, movie tickets, and attraction tickets.
Another positive outcome is the introduction of the flexi-wellness cash benefit that subsidises employees’ expenses on wellness-related items.
We also had great leadership support in our wellness strategy. They actively promoted, participated, and were our wellness champions. Consequently, we saw an increase in participation, leading to higher engagement and better wellbeing.
Q. Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
Being featured in the HR Excellence Awards allows us to highlight the transformative impact of our wellness programmes and emphasise the growing importance of employee well-being in organisations. By sharing our experiences, we hope to encourage other companies to prioritise employee health and invest in well-being initiatives that enhance engagement, productivity, and retention within their teams.
Receiving the award also enhances our employer brand by showcasing our commitment to employee well-being. It underscores our dedication to creating an environment where employees can thrive both professionally and personally. This recognition helps us attract top talent and retain our valued employees, reinforcing our reputation as a company that genuinely cares for its people.
Q. Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
Our advice would be to first listen to your employees. Understanding their needs and preferences is key to creating wellness programmes that are truly effective. Regular feedback—whether through surveys or direct conversations—helps ensure your initiatives remain relevant and impactful.
Secondly, be flexible in your approach. Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. Offering a range of options that employees can choose from—whether it's mental health support, fitness benefits, or wellness allowances—empowers them to make choices that suit their individual needs and lifestyles.
Lastly, be patient and resilient. Wellness is a long-term investment, and results take time. Stay committed to your programmes, continuously improve based on feedback, and recognise that building a strong wellness culture requires ongoing effort.
Q. Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
The driving force behind our success has been a combination of Aspialites’ (our employees’) passion, robust leadership support, and the relentless efforts of our HR team. Aspialites have not only embraced our wellness programmes but have also become advocates for these initiatives after experiencing the positive impact firsthand.
Many employees have started promoting the wellness activities to their peers, creating a ripple effect of engagement throughout the organisation. The Wellness Committee has played a crucial role in coordinating these initiatives, gathering feedback, and ensuring that our programmes remain relevant and enjoyable.
With strong leadership backing, this collective effort has cultivated a thriving culture of well-being where employees feel empowered to champion their health and wellness, driving our continued success.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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