Esteemed judges bring a wealth of experience and insights to the SEEK People & Purpose Awards, setting a high standard for HR excellence. (From left) Chua, Foo and Yoon are part of the impressive inaugural panel of judges.
AS THE SEEK People & Purpose Awards, hosted by Jobstreet, draws closer, the sense of anticipation within Malaysia’s human resource (HR) community is palpable.
Set for May 9, this inaugural event is not just a ceremony but a pivotal moment honouring the unwavering dedication to purpose-driven HR initiatives that have significantly influenced businesses, employees and the broader society.
A unique facet of the awards, in collaboration with Ipsos, is that the community will also be participating in a survey-driven selection process to select top employers across 14 sectors.
The survey will only consider votes from qualified respondents who have to meet specific criteria through screening and qualifying questions – a method that minimises potential biases and enhances the awards’ integrity.
This ensures a democratic and representative acknowledgment of HR endeavours that resonate most with employees in the Malaysian work landscape.
Complementing this public segment is the awards’ expert judgement recognition system.
Categories such as best sustainable HR practices, best diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) awards, the people leader of the year, best employee development programme, and employer of the year require submissions from employers.
These entries undergo rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges, who determine the winners based on set criteria, showcasing the meticulous nature of the awards process.
Furthermore, the panel of judges comprising experts and a diverse group of respected HR leaders brings a breadth of experience and insights to the awards.
Hartalega chief HR officer Yoon Siew Fei shared his views on the submissions: “The quality of submissions for the Best Sustainable HR Practices and DEI awards has not only met but often exceeded these high standards.
“The differentiator lies in having a structured framework and the ability to scale these practices effectively.”
He also expressed enthusiasm for more outstanding leaders in next year’s The People Leader of The Year award submission.
Discussing the “Best Sustainable HR Practices” - a newer accolade in the industry — Yoon highlighted the essence of this award category.
“Companies with exemplary sustainable HR practices should adeptly balance their commitment towards supporting employees while achieving business goals.
“They should be purpose-driven, prioritise lifelong learning and focus on bringing in results in their pursuit of excellence.”
Experian Malaysia human resource director and site leader Chua Chai Ping commented on the diversity of participants, highlighting the inclusive nature of the awards.
“It’s very encouraging to see not only large corporations but many SMEs participating in the awards.
“Some of them (SMEs) are doing exceptionally well in navigating the challenging business nature and managing their needs in the current labour landscape.”
Sunway Group chief human resource officer Foo Shiang Wyne shared her experience in evaluating the submissions.
“Today’s talents increasingly look to aspirational and purpose-driven companies.
“Attracting and retaining talent hinges not only on business performance but also the prospect of meaningful work and life. This is evident in the submissions we have received.
“The judges certainly had a challenging task of reviewing the many compelling submissions and objectively scoring them against the criteria,” Foo detailed, underscoring the meticulous nature of the judging process.
The SEEK People & Purpose Awards, with its robust voting mechanism and authoritative panel of judges, sets a gold standard for HR awards in Malaysia.
This event not only celebrates the achievements of today but also seeks to inspire innovations of tomorrow, by fostering a cycle of continuous improvement and excellence in the world of human resources.
As the ceremony draws near, the excitement within the HR community builds as all look forward to recognising the leaders who will be making a true difference through their purpose-driven endeavours.
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