With rockbird media’s rebrand of its HR Leaders series into hrX, we are excited to bring the top HR leaders for its first launch in Singapore. Which is why for this spotlight feature, we sat down with Simon Ong, Chief Human Resource Officer at NTUC First Campus to hear how they have managed to bag the Gold Harmonia Award for HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For in Asia and the Most Caring Company Award last 2024. Astonished by their recent achievements, we asked what initiatives they have done to attain them, and we were taken aback by Simon’s answer as it is their sixth consecutive award for the former, and fourth consecutive award for the latter.
Their plans are anchored around three pillars of their employee value proposition. They are shared purpose, tailored growth, and innovation for impact. For the first pillar, initiatives are intended to reiterate and strengthen their purpose through the likes of visiting their preschools, having management fireside chats, organizing a fundraising carnival with game booths that raise funds to support families in need through their foundation, and lastly, a partnership with food from the heart organization. For the tailor growth and innovation, learning and development programs were launched in order to focus on the development of employees. Importantly, he shared that they have a medical benefit scheme, external counseling hotline platform and even a peer support program in collaboration with Singapore’s Health Promotion Board. “We also take care of our employees’ wellbeing and have launched numerous initiatives and programs to ensure that we journey with them through their different stages of life.”
As we were on the topic, we asked what future trends he’s anticipating in terms of mental health support in the workplace, and how he’s planning to stay ahead of those trends? The CHRO was happy to say that there is an increase in individuals seeking help with mental health issues with the trend unlikely to decrease. Adding his personal view, he believes there is a clear need for employers to consider accessibility to support programs as there is a need to raise such awareness and reduce stigma to mental wellness. “We should help our leaders as well as fellow colleagues who are peers to all these employees to be able to recognize and lend support or at least point them to the direction where the resources are to assist them… creating a stronger awareness and acceptance within the organization will be two key areas where I think employers should focus on.”
Going on a different route for the last question, we asked Simon what disciplines from his military background were he able to apply in his work as an HR leader. Reminiscing on his time in the military, he thought of three important thought processes: Number one is critical thinking, Secondly is the ability to make decisions. “As simple as it may sound, to me this is closely linked back to critical thinking as you do not just exercise your ability to think but you must have the ability to make a timely decision. Now gone are the days where we know we can take our time to perfect a solution or a plan before launch. In this day and age we will be left behind if we take our time to perfect a solution.” Third and not the least of the critical skills that he believes, is an important combination of adaptability and agility.
Destigmatizing mental health is an important practice. We’ve come far, but not far enough. That is why rockbird media is glad that NTUC First Campus’ very own Simon Ong shared many of their successful initiatives with us. And the best thing is, there’s more to come from him. Where? You can catch him and other top voices in the HR industry initiate the talk to prioritizing wellbeing in the new world of work at hrX this upcoming February 27 in Singapore. You’ll have a great HR experience with us!
