| The sheer act of caring for employees' personal needs does not necessarily cost a company a fortune. Conversely, it may help build a healthy corporate culture, foster mutually respected employment relationships and boost staff retention in the long term. "As a major global organisation, our colleagues hail from different corners of the world with varying backgrounds and needs. Rather than highlight individual differences, we embrace diversity, building an environment that is welcoming and accommodating of preferences in terms of work and lifestyle for staff of different cultures, personal beliefs as well as genders," says Susanna Lee, vice president & general manager, global merchant services, East Asia, American Express. Currently, 65 per cent of American Express' Hong Kong staff population is female of all ages. Women also make up 60 per cent of the company's management staff. In 1991, the American Express headquarters initiated an internal sharing and exchange platform - Women's Interest Network (WIN), with the aim of helping this staff segment maintain a work-life balance through various networking activities and by incorporating a level of flexibility in their daily operation. The company's Hong Kong office was the first in the Asian market to set up WIN, with more than half of its staff now signed up as members. "In fact, WIN welcomes the participation of both male and female staff. Our male colleagues constitute 20 per cent of our membership," Ms Lee emphasises. Close to staff Run by two chairpersons and 12 committee members, the WIN organising committee reaches out to members and immerses them in a range of interest groups, classes and seminars such as those on improving psychological wellness, stress management and EQ parenting. "Communications between parents and their children is important and therefore we have allowed our colleagues to bring their children to work, getting them to know their parents' working environment," Ms Lee notes. Earlier this year, Maximilian Ma, chairman of Lee Heng Diamond Group, which operates the MaBelle diamond jewellery chains, was invited to deliver a speech during a staff luncheon. "Mr Ma's participation has given WIN members insights and perceptions," Ms Lee remarks. Aside from these, interest classes such as yoga and knitting and networking events like health talks are among the most popular WIN activities. The company's management team is much devoted to WIN, Ms Lee adds. An informal gathering "YC with YC" is held where staff at all levels are invited to tea (yam cha) with YC Koh, CEO of American Express Greater China and Southeast Asia. "We seek to facilitate a constant flow of ideas that in turn gives us a glimpse of the members' personal interests and preferences," says Ms Lee, who is the local WIN executive sponsor. "The level of communication helps to engage our staff on a personal level, building strong bonds and cohesion across the entire organisation." Tip the balance Promoting a work-life balance has always been the company's priority. As such, a number of flexible work practices have been introduced, particularly for working mothers. For instance, new mothers returning from maternity leave can opt for flexible-hours, half-day or part-time work. Staff with children are allowed to take half a day off for an additional four-hour work during the week, to help prepare their children for examinations. "As long as normal business operations are not affected, colleagues can discuss such arrangements with their supervisors and team mates," Ms Lee says. Recognising that long hours at work may be a source of stress, WIN introduced a "leave on time today" practice. All staff are encouraged to leave work on time at least once a week, and are given a tent card specially designed for the staff to display on their workstations when they leave the office. "We expect our team heads to walk the walk when implementing this," Ms Lee emphasises. Growing enthusiasm has confirmed WIN's value. With an aim to pass on experience and spread the idea of work-life balance to society, WIN representatives have delivered talks to members of non-profit organisation Community Business. "WIN helps to build a motivated and highly-engaged workforce. We hope to share best practice with our business counterparts and help make work as pleasant as possible for every member of Hong Kong's working population," Ms Lee says. American Express was named Hewitt Associates' Best Employer in Hong Kong for the second time in a row this year. Salient points - Company prioritises work-life balance
- Communication platforms built to address staff's needs
- Flexible work policy and various activities introduced to enhance staff engagement
- Sharing industry best practice to benefit society as a whole
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