Snapshots from the 18th HR Sharing
Dr Amy Daniel, presenting worklife harmony to Members of Hrmatter21
Martin Gabriel, Senior HR Consultant discussing issues with regard to Maternity benefits
Members networking with each other during coffee break.
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8th HR Sharing –
31st Jan 2008
In today's corporate world, stress is the number 1 killer to productivity. According to Dr Amy Daniel, many Executives are unable to unwind to relax their mind, so as to enable it to be refreshed. A fresh and well-rested mind is more productive than a tired, worn-out mind.
Members of HRmatters21 had the privilege of hearing from an expert, at the 18th HR Sharing, organized by HRmatters21. Dr Daniel also emphasized on work life harmony, which is the cornerstone for a healthy lifestyle. In today’s corporate world, there is an emphasis of `faster`. Executives are tasked oriented and less people oriented. HR professionals at the 18th Sharing found the seminar useful as HR professionals had to balance their staff
workload with family commitments. Some of the issues raised by Members’ were flexi-work hours and giving the employees an opportunity to consume their annual leave when family matters crop-up. Many HR professionals seem to agree that companies were stringent in allowing staff to consume their annual leave, and that priority to work took precedence over family commitments.
The second half of the sharing was a revisit to the 5th HR Sharing. Martin Gabriel, Senior HR Consultant for HRmatters21 first presented the extended maternity benefits to Members when it was first introduced on 1st Oct 2004. At that time, not many issues
surfaced, but today there are numerous issues that employers need to resolved.
Many HR Managers are still unsure if they can negotiate with their female employees to return to work after 8 weeks if they do not qualify for the extended maternity benefits, as the Employment Act clearly spells out 12 weeks. Also, the law does not mention any provision to negotiate, unless the extended 4 weeks are taken flexibly. It was indeed a useful sharing as members exchanged opinions and network with each other. HRmatters21 looks forward to the 19th HR Sharing. Cheers!!
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WDA’s Deputy Director, Mr. Daniel Yew
presented to Members of HRmatters21
pertaining to the HR competency framework
Members networking with each other during coffee break.
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17th HR Sharing -
18th Sep 2007
The HR fraternity in Singapore is in need of some recognition. A recognition that would evaluate their competency and allow competent practitioners to be recognized at a National level.
The HRmatters21 forum was buzzing with discussions with regard to How HR Professionals can be recognized and evaluated by a recognized institutional body that could lay down an acceptable standard, to be achieved by the HR fraternity as a whole.
The WDA has been drafting the HR competency framework for over a year, and with Members interested in what the framework entails, an invitation to WDA was indeed beckoning. As there were numerous calls to invite WDA to share with what they already have, chairman Martin Gabriel duly extended an invitation to the WDA for a presentation.
The WDA accepted the invitation and it was the 17th HR Sharing that was graced by its Deputy Director, Mr. Daniel Yew.
Mr. Yew’s presentation was indeed heartening to many HR professionals, as it allows practitioners to obtain a recognition that would perhaps enhance their careers in Human Resources. During the presentation, Mr. Yew was patient and explained the HR competency framework from its very inception to where they are today. Questions from the floor were fast and furious, with Mr. Yew not being spared, leaving any questions unanswered or half-answered.
We are indeed grateful to WDA for their effort and taking time to present to our Members, the HR competency framework. We look forward to the 18th HR Sharing. Cheers!
By Michelle Yeo,
Director HRmatters21
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Michael Switow, presenting to members the advantages of blogging & podcasting.
Breaking up into groups, discussing what makes us angry in a presentation by Dr Amy Daniel.
Members networking with each other during coffee break.
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16th HR Sharing -
29th June 2007
Companies are increasingly using technology to brand themselves in this competitive world. The Internet, as we know have accelerated communications between customers and service providers. Michael Switow, the Managing Director of Business to Business Broadcasting Pte. Ltd led the discussion to members of HRmatters21 at the 16th HR Sharing. How can companies use blogging to dispel rumors or complaints which circulate freely on the internet among it's customers and even employees, and does Management condone it's own staff speaking freely on the net about its employers? These were some of the burning questions employees are now faced with; employees are confused, not knowing what their companies stand for when it comes to the Internet world.
The second speaker, Dr Amy Daniel, a regular counselor with MCYS was the next presenter. The issues she spoke of were indeed refreshing to the Executives of today. Stress as we know is a silent killer, but some stress according to Dr Daniel is good.if well managed. She stresses that EQ and stress are intertwined. Her most memorable quotation to participants was "people don't remember what you said or did, but they remember how you made them feel". Such quotation gave us a sense of vibes..and reflected a sense of soul searching. The Companies we work for is not all about business, but equally as important are the people to people management, which is why HR has a vital role.
The 16th HR Sharing was indeed beneficial to participants, who picked up tips on handling employees who are starting to speak freely on the internet and the increasing importance of EQ and stress management at the workplace. Dr Amy Daniel is also running workshops with HRmatters21. Cheers! And see you at the 17th HR Sharing.
By Michelle Yeo, Director HRmatters21
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MK Liew presenting HR practices in China.
Coffee break, where Members take time to network.
Vincent Chan from SCORE, making a point that ex-offenders deserve that second chance.
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15th HR Sharing –
30th March 2007
With the acceleration of globalization, many businesses have to change or at least modify the old business model to keep pace to a fast changing world.
HR Management is no exception to the rule. China is increasingly becoming an influential player on the global stage, and HR practitioners in Singapore must be familiar with HR practices in China, as businesses from Singapore and MNCs’ ‘make a bee line’ for this huge lucrative market. We were indeed proud to host MK Liew, a familiar face to Members of HRmatters21. MK is a Senior HR Manager who has extensive experience in Singapore, spanning over 30 years. Having visited China as a HR professional and for business purposes on numerous occasions, MK Liew has acquired critical information pertaining to its HR and business practices. He gave an insight into the practices of HR in China by presenting detailed statistics to substantiate his comments. It was truly an enriching experience for practitioners who had an interest in China. Thank you MK Liew for being part of the 15th Sharing, we certainly benefited from your sharing of HR practices in China.
HRmatters21 is not only about training courses and HR consultancy, but we are also socially responsible to the community, and there was no better way to prove this, than having the Yellow Ribbon project as our guest. Members were captivated, when an ex-offender related his struggles in trying to reintegrate back into society and how difficult it was in trying to seek employment when one has a blemish on his record. Next to speak was Vincent Chan, a household name with SCORE (Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises), gave an insight, into how ex-offenders were rehabilitated and helped to be useful citizens to society.
We certainly hope that HRmatters21, which represents over 1,500 employers, has done its part in educating employers the importance of giving ex-offenders a second chance. Cheers!
By Michelle Yeo, Director HRmatters21
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Colin Ong of MR=MC presented and discussed issues pertaining to KPI.
Members network are always at it's best during tea break.
Jacob's presentation highlighted the many issues facing the HR professionals of today.
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14th HR Sharing –
2nd February 2007
For the first time ever, this HR Sharing (14th) graced two main speakers instead of the usual one, and both speakers did not disappoint the many HR professionals who made a 'bee line' for Spring Singapore to network with their fellow peers.
Colin Ong of MR=MC got the ball rolling with an introduction to KPI. Colin, a corporate trainer who specializes in Corporate Blogs said that KPI was in existence since the early days of HR Management, but that the term had been changing through the years.
Jacob Sim, the second speaker for the day needs no introduction at all, a speaker who graced an earlier HR Sharing (7th), and long time member of HRmatters21, Jacob's presentation was always an inspiration to other HR practitioners.
Jacobs's presentation basically reflected the changing role of the HR professionals. The talent shortage and retention issues faced by the HR practitioners in an ever-changing corporate landscape. With technological advancement and an increasingly mobile workforce, are our assumptions about employee satisfaction and our ensuing staffing efforts still relevant? These were the burning questions to many HR Managers, and many had the opportunity to discuss these issues with Jacob and other HR professionals at the 14th Sharing. Thank you all for being there. Our next HR Sharing will be on the 30th of March. See you then.
By Michelle Yeo, Director HRmatters21
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