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Wong Keng Fye, Head of Human Capital, Maybank Singapore, believes that a people-focused approach and giving back to the community not only strengthens employee engagement but also positions the organisation as a force for good in addressing broader community needs.
Aligning ESG initiatives with employee engagement is more than just a strategy — it's a game-changer for business success. When employees feel connected to a company's purpose, especially one that champions sustainability and social impact, their passion ignites.
This dynamic creates a workforce that’s not only more engaged and innovative but also deeply invested in driving both the company’s mission and its long-term growth.
This is what Maybank Singapore has been keeping its focus on, fostering a culture where employees are empowered to drive sustainability and social impact. The Bank's commitment to integrating ESG with employee engagement has earned them recognition, resulting in it clinching the silver award for 'Best ESG Programme' at the Employee Experience Awards 2024, Singapore.
In lieu of the win, HRO catches up with Wong Keng Fye, Head of Human Capital at Maybank Singapore, to dive deeper into how the bank’s focus on aligning ESG with employee engagement continues to drive its success.
Q How would you describe the pillars of your employee experience strategy, and what are the principles you have taken into account to develop this?
Our employee experience strategy is grounded in our mission of ‘Humanising Financial Services’, keeping people at the heart of everything we do. We prioritise our employees, customers, and communities to ensure a positive experience for all. This is achieved through open communication and strong support.
We adopt a holistic approach to employee wellbeing by fostering a values-driven culture, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth, and promoting work-life balance. We also seek to enrich our employees beyond financial incentives, focusing on sustainability, learning, and development opportunities to nurture a motivated and engaged workforce.
Q In a world propelled by rapid change, what measures do you have in place to maintain a people-centric, human approach to your EX as it evolves?
We ensure our leaders and managers are committed to caring for our employees as individuals, which is embedded in our core values. We believe that a happy and motivated workforce leads to greater productivity, and in turn exceptional customer experience.
We gather employee insights through regular surveys to obtain feedback from the ground and adjust our strategies accordingly to address any concerns. Open communication is essential to this approach, with various channels available for employees to share their ideas and feedback. By promoting transparency and trust, we ensure that our employee experience remains dynamic and people-centric even as it evolves.
Q What initiatives do you undertake such that the delivery of employee experience is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the organisation?
At Maybank, we foster a culture of collaboration through various committees and squads, where stakeholders across departments work together on different areas of focus.
This collective approach ensures shared ownership and strengthens the bond across employees from various units.
For example, employees are encouraged to volunteer at their own pace and in their areas of interest, whether through personal initiatives or bank-led programmes. This aligns with the Bank’s goal to equip employees to be agents of change and make a positive impact on communities, the environment and education towards a more sustainable future. We support these self-led initiatives by providing platforms for employees to promote their efforts and connect with internal and external partners who can assist them in the planning and execution of these activities.
Q Do you have words of wisdom to share with others in the industry on the best ways to keep your employee experience consistent and beautiful?
We believe the key to maintaining a positive employee experience lies in putting people first. At Maybank, our mission of ‘Humanising Financial Services’ guides us in everything we do, including our HR strategy, by focusing on providing care, open communication, and support to our employees. It also defines our commitment to be a relationship-driven organisation, treating our fellow colleagues as part of the ‘Maybank Family’ which ensures every employee feels valued and included.
In this fast-paced environment, it is crucial to stay agile—constantly monitoring, reshaping, and realigning practices to meet the evolving needs of both the business and the workforce. Establishing proper feedback mechanisms and keeping employees updated through regular communication helps ensure employees stay informed. Communication is key.
Q Finally, what is the positive impact of employee experience that you’ve seen on the business as well as the workforce?
We actively provide our employees with opportunities and empower them to be change-makers, to contribute positively to the organisation and the broader community. Year after year, our staff have demonstrated a strong commitment to being a force for good through long-term, strategic community programmes that resonate with our goal of meeting our communities where they need us.
One example is the sector fundraising challenge that was held earlier this year across May and June, where employees took charge of their own fund-raising campaigns from start to end. This initiative fostered collaboration and generated many innovative ideas. The funds raised were channelled to the Maybank Momentum Grant – which helps propel promising charities forward.
This collective effort not only strengthens employee engagement, but contributes towards the Bank’s sustainability commitment of one million sustainability hours per annum.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
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