Malaysian businesses are experiencing a growing imperative to embrace a ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)-First’ approach and reassess their corporate culture as Generation Z professionals enter the workforce.
Born after 1996, Gen Z individuals place more importance on cultivating an inclusive work environment, advancing in their careers, and acquiring new skills, which is reshaping the landscape of the modern workplace. Employers are compelled to adopt a different approach in order to effectively engage Gen Z, Gen X and Baby Boomers in a collaborative professional setting for higher productivity. This is compounded by the need to increase gender diversity and support women in the workforce, in line with the Madani Economy’s goal of achieving a 60% Female Labour Force Participation Rate.
In emphasizing the changing needs of Malaysia’s multi-generational workforce, the LIFE AT WORK Awards 2023 ceremony hosted by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) shone the spotlight on visionary employers who have taken remarkable strides in championing DEI and work-life practices. 30 awards spread across 8 categories were presented to recognise outstanding achievements in employee engagement, diversity hiring, sustainability practices, and leadership excellence.
At the awards ceremony, YB Tuan V. Sivakumar, the Minister of Human Resources, commended TalentCorp for its pivotal role in organising the LIFE AT WORK Awards, underlining the significant contribution it has made in advancing the principles of Malaysia MADANI.
“A diverse workforce is an innovative workforce. In our pursuit of economic transformation, we want to build a labour market that is ready for the economy of the future, one with more skilled jobs and higher productivity growth. The finalists and winners of the LIFE AT WORK Awards show the commitment by employers to not only retain our talent pool, but also to attract global minds, which is crucial in our nation’s progress,” he said.
TalentCorp initiated its annual LIFE AT WORK Awards back in 2013, taking a brief hiatus during the pandemic years. This year marks the much-anticipated return of the award, with a participation of 112 companies representing a wide array of industries. They include financial services, professional services, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, global business services, healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods, retail, tourism, and information technology.
Thomas Mathew, Group CEO of TalentCorp said that the LIFE AT WORK initiative is the agency’s commitment to establishing an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of their backgrounds, will not only prosper but also realise their fullest potential.
“In line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the MADANI economy target to increase our women workforce, YAB Prime Minister in his 2024 budget speech announced that the TalentCorp Women Career Comeback tax incentive has been extended to 31 December 2027. Along with this, TalentCorp will bring in our other initiatives, including Childcare Centre, Flexible Work Arrangements, Women Networking and Mentoring Programmes, and more, to complement.”
The LIFE AT WORK Awards 2023 not only celebrate excellence but also inspire a collective commitment to building Malaysian workplaces that are diverse, inclusive, and supportive of employee well-being. The award ceremony saw an attendance of 700, including YB Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Human Resources, senior officials from various ministries and agencies, industry representatives and awards finalists.
Winners for 2023 include Malayan Banking Berhad for Best Malaysian Organisation, CIBA VISION Johor for Best International Organisation, Yayasan Pahang for Best Public Sector Organisation, and Vista Laser Eye Center for Best Small & Medium Organisation.
For more information on the LIFE AT WORK Awards and the winners, visit www.lifeatwork.my.