Mutual respect in the workplace crucial for firms' growth: Swee Say

Singapore

MUTUAL respect between employees and employers in the workplace is important to help companies grow, as Singapore's employment growth continues to slow down, says Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.

"To succeed, transforming workplaces into great workplaces has to be the joint responsibility of the management and staff," he said on Friday as guest-of-honour at an awards ceremony honouring Singapore's best companies to work for. "Active and two-way engagement make all the difference between good companies, better companies and the best companies to work for."

His comments echoed findings in a study released at the awards ceremony. The study, published by research and consulting firm Great Place to Work Institute, found that high levels of trust and engagement among employees are synonymous with high-performing work culture.

Mr Lim stated that as Singapore transitions towards an economy that requires less manpower, the pace of employment and workforce growth will start to slow down.

This will result in companies facing two challenges - namely having to become better employers, and learning to maximise the full potential of every employee.

In order to rise above competing employers amid low unemployment and high employment rates in Singapore, Mr Lim listed three areas in which companies can improve. Firstly, companies should respect and value every worker in an inclusive way. Mr Lim said all workers would like to have good jobs and meaningful careers, and they look for employers that focus on their strengths and help them grow. Secondly, he believed that if companies showed commitment to local society, it would make them more attractive employers. Such companies should aim to globalise their businesses, yet deepen their roots here as responsible corporate citizens. Finally, Mr Lim said companies should be competitive, yet care for their employees. Such companies not only attend to their customers' needs but, more importantly, their employees are well positioned for future growth.

Friday's ceremony also saw the launch of the inaugural Singapore 2015 Best Companies to Work for List. Cloud computing firm Salesforce clinched top honours, followed by Cisco and Intercontinental Hotels Group.