HRM Asia Weekly News (February 12, 2025)

Breaking the silence: Why migraines must be part of workplace inclusion strategies

Workplace inclusion has evolved beyond traditional diversity metrics to encompass a broader spectrum of employee experiences, including mental health and chronic conditions. Yet, invisible health challenges like migraines—one of the leading causes of disability worldwide—remain largely overlooked in corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategies.

As organisations strive to create truly inclusive environments, addressing the impact of migraines on the workforce is not just a health consideration but a business imperative. Speaking with HRM Asia, Peggy Wu , Vice-President Asia at AbbVie , highlights the urgent need for greater awareness, dispels common misconceptions, and shares how leadership can drive meaningful change for employees managing this debilitating condition. | READ MORE

The untapped power of payroll data in Asia-Pacific

As organisations expand across borders in today’s diverse and fast-evolving Asia-Pacific markets, they face complex workforce management challenges—from navigating local labour laws to optimising operational costs. According to John Antos , Vice-President Strategy, Global Payroll and Asia-Pacific at ADP , data-driven decision-making is critical to success.

“Payroll data, often an untapped resource, holds immense strategic value in helping organisations make informed workforce and financial decisions,” Antos told HRM Asia. “At ADP, we empower organisations with payroll data that goes beyond payslips. This intelligence helps HR and finance leaders streamline payroll operations, ensure compliance across Asia-Pacific markets and make proactive workforce planning decisions.”

For organisations looking to expand, accurate payroll data plays a crucial role in reducing risks, enhancing efficiency, and informing strategic decisions. “In an era of rapid growth and regulatory complexity, having the right data can mean the difference between reactive problem-solving and strategic success,” said Antos. “Accurate payroll data reduces risks and enhances efficiency, enabling leadership teams to forecast talent needs, optimise compensation strategies and align payroll operations with broader business goals.”

To help organisations capitalise on these insights, HRM Asia and ADP are co-hosting an exclusive webinar, The Asian Advantage: Tapping the World’s International Growth Frontier. The webinar aims to equip business leaders, HR professionals, and finance executives with essential strategies for sustainable success in Asia-Pacific’s evolving markets. Click here to register. | READ MORE

The rising heat: A new challenge for South-East Asia's workforce

As temperatures soar and humidity intensifies, South-East Asia faces an escalating challenge: the impact of extreme heat on employees’ health, productivity, and overall wellbeing. Dr David Teo , Regional Medical Director at 国际SOS , highlighted this growing concern, emphasising that “global warming has amplified the risks posed by extreme heat, particularly in South-East Asia, where rising temperatures and humidity levels are creating significant challenges for employers and employees alike.”

While heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and exhaustion are well-known, the less visible effects on mental health are equally concerning. High ambient temperatures can lead to mental stress, irritability, anxiety, and even aggression. “Heat-related risks extend beyond physical injuries. High ambient temperatures contribute to mental stress, creating a ripple effect that undermines workplace safety and productivity,” he told HRM Asia.

Employees in industries such as construction, agriculture, transportation, and offshore sectors are particularly vulnerable. Prolonged heat exposure reduces concentration and stamina, increasing the likelihood of workplace accidents. Urban environments like Singapore experience the urban heat island effect, where high temperatures persist even at night, disrupting sleep and compounding fatigue. | READ MORE

Employers in Singapore show strong readiness for flexible work arrangements, survey finds

Eight in 10 employers in Singapore are prepared to implement the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR), according to a survey conducted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) .

The survey found that 81% of employers feel prepared for the implementation of TG-FWAR. Moreover, 70% of organisations reported establishing processes for managing flexible work arrangement (FWA) requests.

The findings, detailed in the report Employers’ Perspective on the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests, indicate a substantial shift towards flexible work options, particularly among younger employees in their 20s and 40s who seek better work-life balance and caregiving flexibility. As these demands increase, offering FWAs is anticipated to play a key role in attracting and retaining talent. | READ MORE

Is your skills strategy ready for the age of AI?

In today’s dynamic business landscape, workforce agility is no longer a luxury but a necessity for survival. Organisations are constantly seeking ways to adapt quickly to market changes, technological advancements, and evolving customer demands. The key to unlocking this agility lies in embracing a skills-based operating model, empowered by the transformative potential of AI and advanced technologies.

A forthcoming webinar, Supercharging Workforce Agility: Bringing Your Skills Strategy to Life With AI, offers insights into how organisations can achieve this critical transformation. Featuring Annee Bayeux , International Workforce Agility Officer at Cornerstone OnDemand , the webinar promises to demystify the core components of workforce agility and explore the role of AI in shaping effective skills strategies.

Bayeux, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in L&D, business transformation, talent management, and HR technologies, brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. Her background includes leadership roles at prominent global organisations such as Bosch Automotive, Alstom, General Electric, and Danone, where she spearheaded successful workforce transformations. This experience provides her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing organisations today.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and discover how to build a truly agile and futureproof workforce. To register, click here. | READ MORE

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