HR Asia, a leading human resource management magazine in the Asia-Pacific region, presented Pepperl+Fuchs Vietnam with its HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Award last year for the company’s special dedication to its employees. The New Work concept employed there underscores the company’s modern working philosophy and wide range of activities to support employee wellbeing. We asked Han-Thanh, General Director of Pepperl+Fuchs Vietnam, to tell us more about it.
Hello, Han-Thanh. The New Work concept has created a working environment where employees feel comfortable…
Han-Thanh: Yes, exactly. The goal of the concept is to promote innovative ways of working and offer employees an inspirational working environment. Our new building is just this kind of modern working environment. Employees can choose their own workstation in the morning. Each person has a rolling case where they can store their personal items. There are smaller, semi-enclosed niches where people can concentrate while they work. And then there are also larger, open-plan areas where they can share ideas and get creative together.
That sounds interesting. Can you give us another example of how the New Work concept has been put into practice?
Han-Thanh: Flexible scheduling is another key element. We introduced a remote work option to give employees more freedom to incorporate work into their daily lives. Our goal there was to improve work-life balance. Ultimately, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Employees can talk to their supervisor about how often they should come in to the office. We don’t record people’s working hours, either. It’s all on an honor system. At the end of the day, it’s the results that count. We also promote healthy lifestyles among our employees.
A healthy lifestyle
How so?
Han-Thanh: We have yoga classes three times a week, twice a day, so employees who work shifts also get the chance to attend at least one of the classes. We also have two badminton courts, a fitness center with a treadmill, stair climber, bikes and so on, and a rec room with pool, table tennis, foosball, and a reading corner. All of these options are very popular. Mental health is another important point. Once a quarter, employees have the opportunity to join a webinar and talk with external experts about mental health and burnout.
How would you describe the working atmosphere?
Han-Than: Very family-like, open, friendly, and positive. There’s always a lot of laughter, especially at lunchtime. But we also always have various team building and team bonding activities to foster a sense of community and team cohesion.
Team cohesion
Can you give us a few examples?
Han-Thanh: The team bonding activities take place within a department. Going bowling together or having an evening barbecue on the plant grounds are just two examples. And then we have team building, which is interdepartmental. Our annual company excursion for the entire staff lasts at least three days. We traveled to a beach resort last year. It took 16 buses to get us all there. Once a year, we rent a movie theater so everyone can go and watch a movie together. And shortly before lunar new year, we hold a year-end party to see the old year off in style. We do this to thank employees for all their hard work and give them a chance to get to know their colleagues better outside of the job. We also hold an annual event for the employees’ children. The last Children’s Day involved a trip to the zoo, for example.
Do you have additional plans for the future?
Han-Thanh: We’d like to offer more support to families with babies and toddlers, but we’re not sure yet what form it will take.
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