When a Crisis Decides Your WFH Policy
Asian governments in Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan and Thailand abruptly mandated flexible work for public‑sector employees after the Strait of Hormuz closure threatened oil supplies. The move, driven by energy scarcity rather than employee surveys, highlights how external shocks can rewrite work‑mode policies within days. Companies such as DBS Bank, Fujitsu Japan and Trip.com have already adopted permanent hybrid models, citing productivity parity and reduced turnover. The article argues HR leaders should treat such crises as strategic inflection points to embed resilient, talent‑centric work arrangements.
AI Is Raising the Bar. HR and Supply Chain Must Raise the Workforce
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Lighthouse Network report flags talent as a fourth pillar of manufacturing excellence, alongside productivity, resilience, and sustainability. Leading factories are moving from AI pilots to "cognitive networks" that require a workforce capable of real‑time...
The CEO of Your Own Wellbeing: Empowering Employees Through Accountability and Resilience
Simon Thuc, HR leader at Indo‑Trans Logistics, urged organisations to treat mental health as a developable capability rather than a problem to fix. He introduced a "4C" mental‑toughness framework—control, challenge, commitment, confidence—to embed resilience into daily work. Thuc highlighted micro‑habits...
Singapore Hiring Sentiment Rises in Q2 2026 Amid AI Adoption and Skills Demand
Employers in Singapore regained hiring confidence in Q2 2026, with the Net Employment Outlook climbing to +24% after a dip in Q1. The information sector spearheads the surge, posting a +41% outlook and 58% of firms planning workforce expansion. AI...
Building From the Ground Up: A Leadership Journey in #GiveToGain
Deputy CEO Doris Ong recounts her rise from ERA Singapore’s management trainee program to leading its project marketing arm, which has sold over 60,000 homes across 450 developments. She leveraged that experience to champion ESG initiatives, community partnerships, and a...
From Co-Pilots to Superagents: HR’s 2026 Shift
HR is expanding 60% faster than the broader workforce, now encompassing over 250 job titles and nearly a hundred capabilities. The proliferation of AI tools has shifted HR from isolated “co‑pilot” agents to integrated “superagents” that automate entire workflows, a...
Unleashing the Next Era of Skills-Driven Leadership at CHRO Series Hong Kong 2026
Hong Kong’s 2026 budget earmarks HK$222 million for re‑employment schemes and transforms the Employees Retraining Board into Upskill Hong Kong, pushing HR from administrative to strategic. The CHRO Series Hong Kong 2026, organized by HRM Asia, will translate these policies into...
Klook’s Gen Z Strategy: Agility Is the New Loyalty
Klook is redefining its people strategy to harness Gen Z as a strategic advantage, shifting from attendance‑based management to outcome‑focused work. The travel tech firm operates a four‑day‑in‑office, one‑day‑remote hybrid model that emphasizes intentional collaboration and deep‑work time. Its "vocation" program...
UPS CHRO Shares the Most Important Predictors of AI Success
UPS Chief Human Resources Officer Darrell Ford is steering a multi‑year HR transformation that now emphasizes artificial intelligence. The initiative prioritises clean, high‑quality data—targeted for completion by the end of the quarter—as the foundation for AI‑driven talent decisions. Simultaneously, UPS...
From Engagement to Mindfulness: Why the Real Productivity Crisis Is Invisible
The article argues that the real productivity crisis lies in employee mindfulness and engagement, not operational tools. It defines engagement as the sum of satisfaction and mindfulness, noting that only 23% of workers are fully engaged while 59% quietly quit....
Why Workforce Training Still Falls Short in Malaysia and What We Are Actually Learning
Across Malaysia’s SMEs to large corporates, workforce training is routinely sidelined despite widespread acknowledgment of its importance. Leaders cite tight KPIs, cost‑centric budgeting, and fear of talent loss as reasons training loses priority. Even when programs run, generic content, lack...
Malaysia Expands Employer Duty of Care to Mental Health Under 2026 Flexible Work Safety Guide
Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health Department released the 2026 Flexible Work Arrangement guide, expanding employer duties to include mental health and psychosocial risk assessments. The mandate requires mandatory OSH risk assessments for remote, hybrid, and staggered‑hour work, covering stress, mental...
Beyond the ‘Downstream’: Reframing Communication as the Core Infrastructure of Workforce Resilience
Rothman & Roman’s upcoming Communication Trend Report 2025 argues that communication is no longer a downstream soft skill but the core infrastructure of workforce resilience. The report highlights that upstream, transparent communication builds trust, reduces burnout, and is essential as...
The Compliance Trap: How Silence in Your Organisation May Be Masking Disengagement
Vice‑President Gayatheri Silvakumer warned that most change initiatives fail not because of flawed strategy but because leaders ignore the emotional side of change. She argues that silence in meetings often disguises disengagement, mistaking compliance for genuine ownership. By inviting employees...
Employees in Singapore Still Believe in Workplace Happiness, but Burnout and Stalled Growth Persist
Jobstreet by SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index surveyed 1,000 Singapore workers, finding that while eight‑in‑ten believe happiness at work is possible, only 56% actually feel happy, placing the city‑state near the bottom of the Asia‑Pacific rankings. Burnout is pervasive, with 45%...