Winning Secrets: Jardine Engineering Singapore's people strategy stems from a commitment towards a positive and empowering environment for all employees

Yvonne Chan, Head, People and Culture, says that employee wellbeing is integral to achieving business success, which led her and the team to identify several opportunities for improvement.

A strong, engaged workforce is the cornerstone of sustainable success. By prioritising employee wellbeing and fostering a high-performance culture, companies can attract and retain top talent, driving innovation and business growth.

The team at Jardine Engineering Singapore (JECs) recognises the power of a strong, engaged workforce, earning them the Bronze award for Excellence in Graduate Recruitment and Development at the Singapore edition of the HREA Awards 2024.

Yvonne Chan, Head of People and Culture, Jardine Engineering Singapore (JECs) celebrates the team's success, hoping it would inspire the HR community to prioritise employee engagement, continuous learning, and wellbeing as crucial to business success.

Q. What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy? 

At Jardine Engineering Singapore (JECs), our motivation for pursuing an exceptional people strategy stem from a commitment to fostering a positive and empowering environment for all employees. We recognise that employee wellbeing is integral to achieving business success, leading us to identify several key opportunities for improvement. 

To enhance our employer branding, we are focused on cultivating a workplace that attracts and retains talents by promoting our values and unique culture. We are building a performance-driven culture that encourages accountability, innovation, and teamwork, ensuring that our employees feel valued and motivated to excel. Additionally, we are proactively addressing skill gaps through targeted development programmes, equipping our workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a dynamic industry. 

These initiatives are central to our strategy for engaging, retaining, and empowering our people, aligning their personal growth with the broader objectives of our company, ultimately driving sustainable success for JECs. 

Q. Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph? 

One of the main challenges we face is overcoming low morale among our employees. The social changes and shifting perspectives resulting from the pandemic, along with the restructuring of our company, have adversely affected morale, particularly among rank-and-file staff. We recognise that improving morale takes time. To address this, we have invested both time and resources into rebuilding our employees’ confidence and morale through more opportunities for team bonding activities. We encourage our employees to engage in these initiatives, creating our very own Jardintarians’ memories. 

Additionally, we want our employees to feel included, which is why, in addition to the physical events we organise, we have introduced new benefits and entitlements such as birthday leave, optical benefits, and shorter working hours for office staff.

"By taking a holistic approach to employee wellbeing through these initiatives and maintaining consistent communication, JECs has observed a significant improvement in employee morale, as evidenced by higher participation rates in events and a greater willingness among employees to open up and engage."

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? 

Beyond the recognition, JECs hopes that our feature in the HR Excellence Awards will encourage the HR community to appreciate the value of a people-centered approach. We aspire to inspire other organisations to prioritise employee engagement, continuous learning, and overall wellbeing as essential components of business success. 

By sharing our experiences, we aim to demonstrate that investing in employees can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved retention rates, and enhanced productivity. We believe that when organisations foster a supportive environment, it not only benefits their employees but also positively impacts the overall workforce landscape. 

Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a shift in perspective within the HR community, emphasising that a well-supported and engaged workforce is a key driver of sustainable growth. We hope our story encourages others to explore similar initiatives, fostering a culture where people are valued and empowered to thrive. 

Q. Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps? 

For other looking to achieve HR excellence, JECs has some friendly tips to share. 

First, building genuine connections with employees is important. When you create an atmosphere of trust and keep communication open, people feel valued and more engaged in their work. 

It is also key to stay flexible and responsive to what employees need. Listening to their feedback and being willing to make changes can really benefit both them and the organisation. We’ve found that involving HR teams in decision-making not only empowers them but also leads to fresh ideas and solutions. 

Using data to guide your HR strategies is another great way to ensure they align with the business goals, making sure your efforts are effective. Overall, we believe that focusing on continuous improvement and collaboration helps create a workplace culture that supports both the organisation and the personal growth of every individual. 

Q. Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?  

Our success at JECs is driven by our people and the collaborative spirit within our HR team, known as “The Freshmakers.” The Freshmakers are united by our shared approaches to ‘how we engage,’ ‘how we get things done,’ and ‘how we think.’ With this mindset, our HR team fosters a committed and engaged community that propels our business forward and supports our employees. 

Additionally, our management team is consistently supportive of our HR initiatives and strategies. The dedication of our leaders to employee well-being, along with their adaptability and lead-by- example approach, has been instrumental. This support from all levels of the company empowers us to implement impactful initiatives, building a culture of openness, resilience, and shared success across JECs. 

Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section! 

Photo: Provided