Taking care of the well-being and career development of over 500 employees is no small feat. But for Ms Lia Feliz Alas Fernandez, it's all in a day's work.
As a human resources (HR) manager at EM Engineering, a subsidiary of property management firm EM Services, she contributes to the shaping of the company’s work culture by planning training programmes and improving communication among employees, among other responsibilities. Beyond her official duties, she is also part of a committee that organises team bonding events.
Through her role, Ms Fernandez wants to ensure that staff not only feel engaged with their work, but also have sufficient opportunities for career development. It is something she feels particularly strongly about as she, too, has reaped the benefits of such opportunities first-hand.
She recounts when she was still in a role in finance operations support and her then manager encouraged her to attend a course on being more assertive in the workplace. The course helped her gain more confidence to communicate effectively with her clients – but more importantly, she also found the courage to voice out her desire to pursue her passion in HR.
Upon hearing this, her manager recommended that Ms Fernandez attend training in HR-related courses, which eventually facilitated her transfer to her current role.
"If you have people who believe in you and assure you that they will support you, you feel empowered to step out of your comfort zone to try new things," she notes.
Ms Fernandez says her professional move to HR was possible because EM Services prioritises building a supportive work environment where employees can thrive.
Managers have one-to-one conversations with staff about their personal development within the company.
Employees are assessed on whether they can undergo training – via on-the-job sessions and courses – to either upskill to enhance their competencies for their daily tasks or prepare them for higher managerial or technical roles.
More than just a place to work
With employees now seeking "more than just a conventional workplace", Mr Tony Khoo, chief executive officer of EM Services, says it’s important to foster a work culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, trust and comfort.
"The workplace must evolve into a space that fosters a familial atmosphere, where one can effectively carry out his or her responsibilities," he says.
Mr Khoo himself upholds an open-door policy and welcomes staff to reach out to him on any matters via a meeting, phone call, or even a text message. He also hosts regular dialogue sessions and monthly meetings with all business units to update staff and answer questions on company-wide initiatives.
Team bonding activities are also a key feature. At EM Engineering, the team building committee, which Ms Fernandez is a part of, organises casual events for staff to celebrate major holidays and have meals with one another, senior management and contractors alike.
EM Services also provides perks such as flexible medical benefits, birthday leave and self-care leave, which allows employees to take two days off to prioritise their personal well-being, no questions asked.
For its efforts, EM Services is ranked among Singapore’s best employers again, in the 2024 ranking compiled by Statista in collaboration with The Straits Times.
More than a quarter of the staff have also been with the company for at least a decade, with many citing the tight-knit relationships among colleagues and supportive supervisors as reasons why they enjoy working for the company.
Ms Fernandez agrees, and points to the "friendly and supportive work environment" as one of her favourite things about her job.
"Every day is still an ongoing learning experience, but with the support from my peers and guidance from my managers, I’m positive that this journey is going to be fruitful and exciting. I feel like I have mentors not just in my professional life, but also my personal life," she says.
