In today¡¦s highly competitive business landscape, organisational success is not solely reliant on its business strategy, but how much its employees feel valued and respected. Peoplebank, a leading talent solutions service provider across Asia-Pacific, has garnered ¡§Employer of Choice Award¡¨ and ¡§Asia Pacific Outstanding Employer Award¡¨ for three years in a row, which is a testament to its endeavours to create a supportive workplace for an engaged workforce.

Established in 1988, Peoplebank specialises in IT & digital talent services for various industries, with a client base across public institutions, banks and insurance companies, IT firms and global enterprises. In addition to internal staff, Peoplebank also employs over 1,000 contractors placed across a wide range of organisations and industries. Peoplebank¡¦s distinctive corporate culture and mission are what set it apart from competitors. With ¡§Putting People First¡¨ as its core value, the company considers employees as its No.1 asset, and hence the emphasis on employee happiness and career development.

Annie Cheung, Director of Peoplebank expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the recognition and support from Sing Tao News Corporation and the market. ¡§It¡¦s an honour for us to have received ¡¥The Employer of Choice Award¡¦ once again, especially during these challenging times. The accolade has truly reflected the collective efforts of our colleagues!¡¨ she said.

Cheung stressed that the company is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and inspiring work environment where every employee can feel a sense of belonging and fully realise their potential. ¡§At Peoplebank, our culture highlights innovation and collaboration. We encourage our people to embrace challenges with an open mind. And we provide comprehensive resources and support to help them fulfill their aspirations.¡¨

Business Transformation to Create More Value

In the past year, Peoplebank has gone through business & digital transformation for process optimisation and automation, which has become the key milestone of the company. ¡§Based on market demand, we¡¦ve reduced repetitive & manual processes and flexibly allocated resources through restructuring to remain competitive. In the meantime, we¡¦ve streamlined, optimised and automated our workflow to improve operational efficiency, while creating more value for our employees,¡¨ Cheung explained.

Cheung shared the four characteristics that make Peoplebank an employer of choice. The first is employee wellbeing: Peoplebank offers competitive remuneration and benefits, as well as a mental wellness programme to support mental and physical wellness of employees. The second is learning and development: Peoplebank organises training programmes on a regular basis along with a clear career path to facilitate continued growth of employees. The third is a fair workplace that embraces gender equality and inclusion. Last but not least, transparency and trust. The company strives to build transparency and mutual trust between the management and employees through open communication channels. ¡§It¡¦s our belief that only by integrating employee happiness with organisational success can we truly become an employer of choice.¡¨

Fostering Workplace Harmony Through Multi-pronged Strategies

Speaking of practices to enhance employee engagement, Cheung said that the company adopts multi-pronged strategies promoting communication, team building, personal care, flexible work arrangements, learning and development opportunities, and wellbeing, etc., to improve employees overall job satisfaction and recognition of the company¡¦s culture.

¡§We place great emphasis on open communication. We make sure messages are delivered and every employee can voice their opinions through monthly town halls, employee surveys & open feedback, and one-on-one meetings with managers, so that employees feel valued and respected.¡¨ To strengthen team bonds, an internal events committee curates monthly staff activities designed to encourage collaboration and camaraderie.

Recognizing individual needs, managers conduct regular personal check-ins to offer tailored support. ¡§We offer flexible work arrangements for employees to adjust their work schedule based on their needs, which helps relieve their pressure for a better work-life balance.¡¨
To support learning and development, Peoplebank provides diversified learning resources, including internal training, external workshops and training subsidies to enhance employees¡¦ professional skills, confidence and sense of accomplishment.

¡§At Peoplebank, employee wellness is a top priority. We provide wellness programmes and counselling services to our employees, making sure they work happily and healthily,¡¨ she added.

Cheung believed that the above strategies have enabled the company to build a positive, friendly and mutually supportive work environment in which every employee feels valued, and more confident in their work and the company¡¦s culture.

Encourage Communication for Cross-generational Collaboration

Cheung held that a flexible approach to working patterns was key to managing age diversity in the workplace. Hence the hybrid work policy at Peoplebank that enables employees to choose a working pattern that fits them. ¡§We have a deep understanding of the working preference of different generations to provide targeted support to each individual. We also understand the importance of a culture that fosters transparency, communication and inclusion. By creating a harmonious environment with a robust feedback mechanism, we encourage cross-generational collaboration and multi-cultural inclusion.¡¨

Furthermore, personalised opportunities are provided to employees of different generations at Peoplebank, such as exclusive training and mentorship programmes, to support employees to achieve their goal for a fulfilling career. Meanwhile, the company collects employee feedback through regular surveys, and flexibly adjust its strategies for continuous improvement, resulting in optimised employee experiences.

¡§These practices aim to provide flexibility, encourage communication, promote personal development and continuous improvement to adapt to the ever-changing needs,¡¨ Cheung added.

Improve Workplace Culture for Greater Sense of Belonging

Over the years, Peoplebank has consistently prioritized strengthening its workplace culture, as Cheung told. ¡§We¡¦ve identified the ke elements that contribute to a stronger culture strategy. A clear vision and well-defined core values are the first and foremost, as they form that foundation of a company¡¦s culture. When employees embrace these shared principles, it fosters a more cohesive and purpose-driven workplace.¡¨

Another key factor is open communication and transparency. ¡§We continue to improve internal communication through all-staff meetings, employee surveys, and other initiatives, ensuring alignment on company goals and policies while giving every voice the opportunity to be heard.¡¨ Additionally, Peoplebank encourages staff to participate in company activities to enhance team bonding, and building a sense of belong and appreciation.

Equally important is the support for employee growth and development. ¡§We¡¦re investing more resources in professional training and career development programmes. We empower our staff to pursue their long-term ambitions by offering clear career pathways. At the same time, we cultivate a fair and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, ensuring every colleague feels valued and respected.¡¨ she continued.
Finally, Peoplebank remain dedicated to enhancing employee wellbeing through initiatives like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), flexible work arrangements, etc., to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

¡§With the above strategies in place, we hope to create a positive, open and progressive workplace culture, so that every colleague feels cared for and moves together towards success!¡¨ Cheung concluded.