Proud. Excited. Passionate. Great. Empowered. These were some words used by Microsoft’s staff in Singapore to describe how they felt about being a part of the company upon learning that Microsoft has been named one of the Best Employers in Singapore 2015.
For the second time in a row, Microsoft has been awarded “Best Employer in Singapore” status by Aon Hewitt and is the only technology company to make the list in both 2013 and 2015. Earlier this month, Microsoft Korea was also named “Best Employer in Korea 2015” and “Best Employer for Generation Y” in a local study that is co-sponsored by The Korea Economic Daily.
With this award, Aon Hewitt recognizes Microsoft for inspiring strong commitment and superior performance from its people; driving business results through effective people practices; and managing its business in ways that build long-term success and sustainability.
Microsoft’s efforts to improve diversity and inclusion, work-life balance and to evolve its workplace to realize every individual’s potential are paying off, even amid intensifying competition, rising customer expectations and a talent crunch.
In a recent internal survey in Singapore, 93% of staff felt that they had the flexibility to manage the demands of work and personal life, 92% were proud to be working at Microsoft while 82% of employees indicated that they enjoy a sense of accomplishment from their work.
New World of Work
Our Singapore subsidiary is among the first in the Asia Pacific region to roll out Microsoft’s New World of Work initiative.
New World of Work is based on the idea that change takes place in three areas: people, place and technology. These themes are interrelated and success depends on understanding and optimizing the overlap between them.
For example, employees no longer have assigned desks or private offices. Instead they are free to choose to work anywhere in the office by using a PC, handset, webcam or smartphone. Office spaces have also been redesigned to suit various activities, allowing staff to choose the best environment for their work.
Microsoft has certainly come a long way in Singapore since starting its operations in 1991. We now have over 900 staff supporting our Singapore subsidiary, Asia Pacific Headquarters, and Asia Pacific Operations Centre. Recognition of the company’s focus on talent as well as the passion and persistence of its people will continue to play an important role for Microsoft, as it moves toward realizing its vision of reinventing productivity in the dynamic Asia Pacific region.
