OK to Continue
Yes No Thanks
OK to Continue

1st June, 2021

How METRO Myanmar And Nestlé Myanmar Managed Employee Wellbeing And Resilience Amidst Uncertainty - Webinar Recap

Since 2015, JobNet has organised more than 15 HR conferences and webinars in an effort to support knowledge sharing among the Myanmar HR community. 

 

On 14th May 2021, JobNet in association with Team Thinking Asia conducted an interactive, online session on “Wellbeing and Resilience”. This was JobNet’s first webinar in a while and we chose a topic very relevant to the challenges most organisations face in this period.

 

The session was hosted by Mr.Matt De Luca, Managing Director at JobNet, Mr. Ian Davies, Director/Co-Founder of Team Thinking Asia as the main speaker. The guest speakers for the event were Alejandra Banegas, HR Director at METRO Wholesale, and Mr. Shivam Mishra, Head of HR at Nestlé in Myanmar. 

 

Mental health problems are a serious issue affecting people in most organisations, particularly in times of crisis. The webinar, which coincided with the UK’s Mental Health Awareness week 2021, was conducted to address and spread awareness on how to deal with such issues of mental wellbeing and to explore how stressful situations impact the brain’s ability to focus and perform.

 

In 2020 and particularly 2021, employee wellbeing has become one of the main concerns for many employers in Myanmar.. Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic caused operational challenges, but the emergence of remote work and decentralised teams are making it harder for leaders to manage teams effectively.

 

While there are many factors to consider, ensuring the safety and health of all employees is the first priority. So, what can employers do to become part of the solution? How can leaders in Myanmar support their teams during these challenging times? 

 

Alejandra Banegas, HR Director at METRO said that they developed the MetroCares Program to support the health of their employees during the Covid 19 pandemic and till today they have developed new ones which match specific employee needs.

 

She emphasized the following: 

  • Daily check-in and check-out calls to ensure constant communication

  • Internal Survey: to better understand employee needs

  • Discounts for all Metro products  

  • Relief loans

  • Resilience training: for individuals and teams in high-stress or dynamic environments that are experiencing disruptive change.

  • Mental health support with specialists: access to licensed counselors to help employees cope with fear, anxiety and other emotions or concerns they may have. 

  • Close communication: encouraging workers to find time to have virtual coffees, lunches or even happy hours with their colleagues. 

  • Yoga classes 

 

Mr. Shivam Mishra, Head of HR at Nestlé in Myanmar highlighted that they are constantly working on improvements and the programs they introduce in order to stay in touch with all employees. “Keep doing-Keep in touch”, he mentioned. As an HR leader, he has the privilege and responsibility of helping drive improved mental health best practices in the workplace, and he highlighted the following key activities carried out at Nestle Myanmar:

  • Mental Wellbeing Helpline with Pun Hlaing Hospitals: access to medical specialists who are available to answer all employees regarding fear, anxiety, or any other medical concerns and questions. 

  • Mental Wellbeing specialist program: they brought and organized sessions with professionals (local and foreign experts) who support employees in giving them best practices and advice. 

  • Virtual training - online mental wellbeing practical tips and activities designed to promote positive wellbeing - 5 minutes test and quiz that they can easily implement. 

  • Internal communication policies and guidelines: Better communications process and tools with employees in ways that are meaningful to them.

  • Happy No Meeting Friday- They canceled all meetings on Fridays

 

At the end of our Webinar, we pay special attention to communication and why effective communication is so important? 

 

In the workplace, it isn’t just about how well you work with others. It’s about building relationships, minimizing errors, and most importantly, working as productively as possible. 

Any business, regardless of size, location, or industry may face at some point a crisis that might threaten its survival.

In the end, effective and authentic communication in business has always been important, but it is absolutely necessary in periods of uncertainty. 

 

For a complete learning experience, watch our full webinar for free

on our FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/jobnet.com.mm/videos/175148544526816

or YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oagp22eaQ3A

 

Employer Branding Job Seeker