But amid Covid-19, remote or flexible work, upskilling opportunities, mental well-being and a nurturing environment are proving to be must-haves for many.
During this challenging time, I was very thankful for Amgen’s flexi-time policy, and my manager, who gave me the liberty to take time off or leave work earlier to take care of my family. Amgen also continued to pay my monthly transport allowance to offset expenses for increased Internet and utilities use.Ever since Amgen adopted flexible work arrangements amid the pandemic, I have been able to work from home. I can spend more time preparing lunch for my kids and also help my son manage his transition to secondary school this year. With both my home and professional fronts taken care of, I am a happy working mother and employee.
Given our Asian cultural context, most staff tend to suppress their emotions or challenges. This safe space for staff to speak up openly builds trust and confidence, and goes a long way towards destigmatising certain topics, such as mental health.They want to do something with their life, other than just earn a living. Gone are the days of adhering to what is “normal” and safe.