In a fast-paced society like Singapore, work-life balance is undoubtedly a difficult pursuit for many. However, with favourable HR policies that focus on helping employees strike a balance between their careers and personal lives, working individuals may just find the much-needed support to embrace a less stressful lifestyle. In this issue of Behind Every Success, CDL shows us how a corporate culture that promotes work-life harmony is actually beneficial for both the employees and the organisation.

Susan Lee
Assistant Manager, Property & Facilities Management

Behind Every Success:

For starters, could you share with us some of the programmes you have attended at your workplace recently?

Susan Lee:

The most recent talk that I attended was “Excuse Me, Can You Say that Again? Skills for Effective Listening & Communication: Growing in Love Together with Your In-laws”.

Behind Every Success:

What did you learn from the session?

Susan Lee:

I learnt that it takes time and effort to bridge the gaps in a relationship with the in-laws. The talk was also helpful to me as I learnt to control my temper and use appropriate words when speaking to my in-laws.

Behind Every Success:

Would you like to attend more talks related to family life at your workplace?

Susan Lee:

Yes, definitely. I would be most interested in talks on handling children of different age groups within the family, as well as talks on managing exam expectations and stress during the children's exam period.

Behind Every Success:

How do you think a healthy family life will have an impact on your work performance?

Susan Lee:

A healthy family life ensures fewer problems and worries, thus enabling me to concentrate on my work and perform efficiently.

Behind Every Success:

What are some of the HR benefits provided by your organisation that you find extremely helpful towards your maintaining of work-life harmony?

Susan Lee:

The lunch talks are of big help as the topics covered are relevant to me. The flexible start and end working hours arrangement is another helpful HR benefit. It allows employees like myself to start and end our work hours within the management's set limits. This flexi arrangement enables us to better juggle our work and family commitments. In addition, colleagues with exceptional family commitments can switch to working on a permanent part-time basis.

Behind Every Success:

Lastly, are you looking forward to participating in National Family Celebrations 2011 organised by your organisation?

Susan Lee:

Yes! I'm looking forward to spending a fun time with my family and colleagues. It is a great opportunity for me to get to know my colleagues outside of work and for my colleagues to meet my family. My kids are also eager to meet the aunts and uncles at mummy's workplace.

Sherine Toh
Assistant General Manager, Head, Human Resource

CDL has a total of…
some 350 employees – 34% being single and 66% being married. Most of our employees fall within the 30 to 50 age group. We also have around 80 employees who are above 50 years of age.

CDL joined the FLA programme…
in 2000 as we are a strong advocate of work-life harmony – we strive to help our employees manage both their personal/family and professional commitments. In doing so, we are connecting to our employees' hearts and letting them know that they are being valued by the company.

Some HR practices initiated by the company to cater to the various lifecycle requirements of the employees are…

• the lactation room which enables an easier transition for female employees returning to work from their maternity leaves;
• new insurance policies to better protect the welfare of our employees;
• CDL Family Month to promote the importance of family; and
• according employees beyond 60 years of age with full pay as we value their experience and knowledge.

The FLA programme…
helps nurture and enhance the relationships between our employees and their families.

CDL has been taking part in National Family Celebrations…
since 2005.

For National Family Celebrations 2011…
CDL has arranged for our employees and their families to take part in the half-day guided nature walk in Chek Jawa to encourage family bonding. This initiative is also in line with CDL's commitment towards environmental sustainability.

The feedback received on the previous runs of National Family Celebrations was…
very positive as participating employees were highly satisfied of the programmes that the company has arranged for them.