BRAND TALK
A company fit for the future of work
A better normal instead of a new normal -- this is what we really need in the face of the changes being experienced by employees in many different sectors in different stages of their careers and lives.
Individuals have been trying to achieve work-life balance for decades now, and it is time that the scales be tipped toward life and its many, many aspects that are essential to creating in each of us a more productive, creative, and fulfilled employee at work.
Future-fit is the new normal
The transition to work culture and practices that fit the workforce of the future has begun at Unilever Philippines. The company’s campaign to steer towards sustainability and becoming more inclusive and more purpose-driven has naturally led to pivoting and supporting employees in the new normal to create a better and future-fit work environment.
Learning and Development
Continuous learning and upskilling have always been encouraged, whether working from home or at the office. This culture of lifelong learning has taken a solid foothold in Unilever Philippines as the company has the most users in the internal Unilever e-learning platform, Degreed, since the pandemic started.
Their internal online talent resource center called FLEX has given employees a career and personal development platform where they can work on projects aligned to their career paths and interests. Employees are given ways to develop their skills and experience as they are given access to opportunities globally across all areas of the business. Throughout the year, virtual masterclasses, workshops on purpose and leadership, as well as conferences on digital trends and innovations are also held to support employee learning.
Well-being
Putting in place a program to look after the well-being of employees has also been a large part of the company’s priorities, especially during a pandemic that not only endangers physical health but has also taken its toll on mental and emotional well-being.
Employees were ensured access to COVID testing for themselves and their dependents through the company’s HMO partner and the Philippine Red Cross. Another part of the COVID Support policy was making sure that they received help should the need for medical facilities arise, as well as the timely rollout of the company’s vaccination program.
Annual Physical Exams were also made easier by partnering with medical facilities nationwide to give employees easier access. Free virtual individual sessions with a dedicated online psychologist and the company nutritionist are also provided.
Some themed well-being initiatives implemented every month at Unilever Philippines are now regarded as Global Best Practices and are being applied and replicated in different markets across the world. Personal focus time and a company meeting manifesto were helpful in setting boundaries between work and home as it was well-received by 98% of the employees who found them relevant to their state of well-being.
U-Work
With Unilever’s global commitment to providing flexible employment options, one of the most progressive steps they have taken is U-Work, which was officially launched in the Philippines in 2020. The U-Work arrangement gives the employee the flexibility in creating work-life balance on their terms. It is for those who love working for Unilever but need time for family, for those considering studying while making a living, or even those who run their own business while remaining connected to Unilever.
Under U-Work, employees are paid a monthly retainer fee and work a minimum of 6 weeks to a year. They get paid per assignment while retaining some benefits and an opportunity to earn a bonus.
Moving into hybrid working
With the pandemic creating a mass migration of onsite employees to work from home, many have found comfort in schedule adjustments, less to no travel time or bouts with heavy traffic. Yet, there are those who have found the distractions of home life and personal tasks a hindrance to being productive. Some have also found that they thrive in the traditional workplace more than the work from home virtual methods. In 2022, plans to permanently create a hybrid working arrangement for employees are carefully being put in place.
“We need to ensure productivity amidst the prolonged presence of Covid-19, protecting lives as well as livelihoods. We believe that face-to-face collaboration is extremely important for innovation, creative problem solving, and culture building – to unlock further growth.
While there have been personal benefits of flexibility and reduced travel, many of us have also been plagued with distractions, struggles to delineate work from personal time, and feeling disconnected from our peers and teams. It’s time to pivot together to hybrid to get the best of both worlds.” Julie Hudtohan, Vice President for Human Resources, Unilever Philippines
Happy employees who feel fulfilled and valued, and are given the means to live a better life, will always do better at work and bring more value to the company. With simple and doable initiatives that are creating a workspace for the evolving needs and wants of their employees, Unilever Philippines is shaping a company fit for the future.
For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.ph
For more information on the USLP: www.unilever.com.ph/sustainable-living/
This is a paid press release from Unilever Philippines.