Sunway among top employers in Malaysia in 2021

Besides support for working mothers, Sunway’s family-friendly policies also include childcare subsidies

by FAREZZA HANUM RASHID

QUARRYING is typically known as a male-dominated industry.

While the general perception is that it is tough for a female to be in this industry, Sunway Quarry Industries Sdn Bhd production manager Kam Winnie has been fortunate to be in a company which champions gender equality.

“As a working mother, I truly appreciate the flexible working hours and having a private nursing space at my workplace.

“I am glad to have the support of my team. While this is not a regular office job — working in the quarry means working under rough conditions — our employees continue to strive towards quality delivery,” she told The Malaysian Reserve recently.

Besides support for working mothers, Sunway Group’s family-friendly policies also include childcare subsidies.

Testimonials such as these are often told by employees of Sunway, which was the only homegrown private company to make it in the top 10 list of most attractive employers to work for in Malaysia this year, as rated by Randstad Malaysia.

Sunway made it to the top of the list out of 75 commercial companies. The 2021 Randstad Employer Brand Research studies jobseekers’ and workers’ perceptions of employers’ brands, looking into understanding the employee value proposition factors and drivers that attract and retain talent.

Sunway Group is also the first Malaysian conglomerate to win three best employers awards at the Aon Best Employers Malaysia 2018 for creating a healthy and conducive working environment.

Another employee, Ewe Teng Joon, who is Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd’s human resources senior manager, said Sunway is an organisation that values its talents’ strength and mobility.

“The opportunities for career development are always growing,” he added.

With more than 16,000 staff across 50 locations, Sunway’s nurturing environment, effective leadership and opportunities for socialisation, mobility, physical activities and personal growth are just among the perks its employees enjoy.

The work-life balance has proven fruitful, with high productivity as well as performance, which Sunway in return offers competitive compensation and benefit packages.

In encouraging diversity and inclusive growth, Sunway supports local talent which was evident in the fact that 94% of its senior management are Malaysians.

Sunway also maintains an age, race and gender-diverse workforce.

Sunway Medical Centre Sdn Bhd assistant security officer Abdul Halim Aldin said some of the best things about working for Sunway are the great facilities, allowances, ideal working environment and supervisors who constantly motivate and provide opportunities for growth.

“Employees are provided with external and internal training, as well as courses to improve our quality of work,” he said.

Sunway Group president Tan Sri Chew Chee Kin said Sunway is committed to meritocracy and diversity in operating its businesses.

“Being recognised as one of the 10 most attractive employers demonstrates our incessant efforts in attracting, developing and retaining talent. We have come a long way in putting together the fundamental building blocks in creating a conducive and healthy workplace for our talent.

“We also emphasise and promote the value of lifelong learning by encouraging our people to attend training and to strive towards attaining their full potential, more so during this unusual period of global pandemic,” he said.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sunway has responded swiftly in keeping its people safe as part of their people-first approach, which is the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery plan.

Other efforts include employee engagement through virtual town halls and dialogue sessions with the CEO and a survey to gain an understanding of employees’ wellbeing with actions taken to address gaps.

Employees have been receiving personal safety kits, while offices are sanitised on alternate days where regular touchpoints are sanitised every 45 minutes.

Sunway has also sponsored Covid-19 tests for employees and offered free Health Screening Programmes to those eligible.

During the pandemic, Sunway also provides mental health support for its employees to manage their stress, health issues, family and financial or other personal problems via the Employee Assistance Programme, which includes a hotline for counselling services and further referral provided assistance.

On top of that, non-executive employees who have been affected by the pandemic receive cash vouchers amounting to RM800 each to mitigate the impact of reduced overtime pay, while frontline employees who have to support operations are provided with hardship incentives and meal vouchers.

Outside of the workplace, Sunway’s employees are encouraged to integrate work and life through Kelab Sosial Sunway to ensure a balanced lifestyle and give back to the society.

Meanwhile, employees living in high-density buildings who tested positive for Covid-19 and quarantined at home are supplied with groceries. Sanitisation of their homes is also undertaken by Sunway.