PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Forty-six Malaysian companies have been named the Best Companies to Work for in Asia by human-resource publication, HR Asia.

The Malaysia Edition of the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia(TM) 2018 at New World Hotel. 46 companies qualified this year out of the 310 participating companies.

This year, 9,972 employees from a total of 310 companies across Malaysia responded to the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Survey. The survey also covers seven other markets across Asia, including mainland China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand.

Award winners included Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, DHL Information Services (Asia-Pacific) Sdn Bhd, Encorp Berhad, Sunway Malls, Top Glove Corporation Berhad and TMF Group.

"The HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia is programme is the only in the market that relies 100% on the input of employees across three key factors: emotional engagement (heart), intention and motivation (mind) and behaviour and advocacy (soul)," says Rozita Shuib, Associate Publisher of Business Media International, the publishers of HR Asia.

GOOD EMPLOYERS SCORE HIGHER

Survey participants were asked affirmative statements about their employers, and either agree or disagree with each of the statements. Based on these answers across the survey, the top 3 areas that employees in Malaysia agree about their jobs are:

1. Employees want to meet and exceed customer expectation (average score of 4.40/5)
2. Employees are always seeking a better way to improve their efficiency at work (4.33/5)
3. Employees know clearly what is expected from them at work (average score of 4.31/5)

On the other hand, the 3 areas that score the lowest in the survey (i.e. the ones which the employees feel their companies can improve on) are:

1. Employees feel that they do not get supported by the companies in pursuing their own professional development (average score of 3.69/5)
2. Employees feel that they do not really know what is going on in the organisation (average score of 3.74/5)
3. Employees feel that they are not involved in the decision-making process (average score of 3.74/5)

With few exceptions, all the winning companies scored significantly higher in these areas compared to other participants. This indicates that employers that are more transparent, supportive of employees' growth and lead by example, are more likely to be rated as a good workplace by their own employees.

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK

The survey also obtained employers' input on their employees.

95.4% of the companies surveyed agree that regular performance appraisals are important in order to be recognised as a 'best company to work for'. Appraisals bring employers and employees together to discuss and identify work responsibilities while correcting weaknesses and recognising good performance.

92.2% of the participating companies felt that safety was top priority in their respective companies. It is essential for employees to have a safe environment in which they will be comfortable to work in and for employers to provide this necessary safety with regards to operation, procedures and policies. A safe workplace is conducive in creating positive productivity where employees not only perform better but also feel they matter to their organisation. 

"HR Asia is Asia's largest circulating publication for HR professionals. We take our role as a catalyst of the industry very seriously. To be the best in not easy, but how do we remain as the best? As we compete regionally for talents, it is crucial that we maintain industry and market leading workplace practices and employee engagement initiatives," Rozita shared.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Echoing words of the triumphant winners of the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards 2018, we cite few of the more inspiring pieces:

"'The Best Company to Work For Award is indeed a great recognition and a meaningful reward being awarded to AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd. We are truly honored by this recognition and this win is a strong testament that AEON Credit Service (M) Bhd is committed to providing the best towards our staff's growth and welfare," says Ajith A/L Jayaram, Chief Strategy Officer of Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd.

"At BAT, we are looking for extra support in pre and post. We envision the digital age as something we need to integrate with immediately, starting with the right cultural mentality. We will keep thriving forward. It's an evolution. It is about getting involved, to declare where you stand and you got some progress going on," says David Sutherland, Head of HR of BAT Global Business Services & IT KL Hub.

"I am very happy and believe this award is a well-deserved recognition for DHL IT Services. Being the no.1 Logistics Company in the world, a lot of people have the opportunity to know about DHL as Logistics Company. The recognition helps to positioned us also as best IT company to work for. The award belongs to all colleagues of DHL IT Services as result of everyone great contribution. We are Connecting People Improving Lives!" says Then Sik Kwang, Head of HR of DHL Information Services (Asia-Pacific) Sdn Bhd.

"Following my appointment as chairman, I look forward to serve by cultivating our aspirations and building a working environment that is grounded in teamwork, mutual respect, ethics and integrity. ENCORP's brand and reputation is only as good as the people who make up the ENCORP team. In this, I am proud to be part of a corporate family committed to our values and dedicated in delivering their best efforts in bringing the Encorp Experience," says Tuan Haji Hussein Bin Ismail, Chairman of Encorp Berhad.

"I like to thank my team who gave us a lot of supports as we continue to invest in our people and continue to empower opportunities to help create a better tomorrow," says Chua Chai Ping, HR Director of Experian (M) Sdn Bhd.

"This give us encouragement that industry-peers are acknowledging our efforts in bringing good HR practises to the mall. It inspires us to continue the journey and to be one of the high-score engagement company in the country," says Kevin Tan Gar Peng, Chief Operating Officer -- Retail of Sunway Malls.

"Our biggest competitive advantage, our best product and our Unique Selling Proposition are definitely our employees. We invest in them, we engage them and we nurture them. These are our utmost priorities," says Sharon Yam, Managing Director of TMF Malaysia.

"This is truly a recognition to Top Glove as we aspire to be in the Bursa Malaysia, to be the top 20 by 2020. This is where we need to show the care by the employer and we need to ensure the people how we perform today and prepare them for tomorrow," says Loke Kean Mun, Deputy General Manager, HR of Top Glove Corporation Berhad.

"The award marked Yinson's continuous efforts to encourage personal and professional growth. We realise that to build an energy infrastructure that lasts far into the future, we need to build a team that's in for the long haul, so we worked hard to create a vibrant, progressive workplace that puts people first," says Daniel Bong, Group Chief Strategy Officer of Yinson Holdings Berhad.

About HR Asia

HR Asia is Asia's largest circulating publication for senior HR professionals. With over 50,000 copies distributed every issue, and an online and offline audience exceeding 200,000. HR Asia is the go-to brand for HR professionals seeking quality business intelligence and industry updates. HR Asia is published by Business Media International, a regional leader in B2B intelligence.

List of Winners of HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2018 (Malaysia Edition)

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181107/2292430-1