Emma Grede, CEO, SKIMS, recently suggested that candidates asking about work-life balance in an interview was a ‘red flag’ and that employees should take their mental health in their own hands—sparking widespread debate around the responsibility employers have in relation to their employees’ mental health. As post-COVID workplace dynamics continue…

In a world where businesses are having to constantly seek legal unfair competitive advantages (LUCA), human resources has long since shaken its back-office label to evolve into a critical strategic driver of organisational success. However, modern people management comes with significant metrics, which often weigh in heavily on multitasking HR…

Navigating a new recruitment landscape.  In an era of rapid technological change and shifting workplace dynamics, recruitment professionals are facing new challenges that demand innovation, authenticity and strategic thinking to succeed in bringing on board the right talent. HR Magazine spoke with Damian Rhodes, a seasoned recruitment expert with over…

Hong Kong’s labour market is undergoing a subtle but significant shift. Once viewed primarily through the lens of efficiency and output, talent acquisition is now beginning to encompass broader notions of diversity and inclusion. In this evolving landscape, some employers still have concerns about hiring people with disabilities, concerns that…

Team building today is about far more than breaking routines. It is about building real human connections, unlocking creativity, and creating a workplace culture where collaboration feels natural. As more companies recognise that positive, engaged teams lead to higher productivity, the need for impactful team-building experiences has never been more…

In a world where corporate survival hangs by a thread, the old rules of business are being rewritten—and HR is at the epicentre of this transformation. At a recent sharing session at the American Club in Hong Kong, global thought leaders Shai Ganu, Managing Director, Global Leader—Executive Compensation & Board…

Hybrid workers take fewer sick days, are less stressed and enjoy improved levels of health and wellbeing, according to new research by Censuswide on over 4,000 hybrid workers across the US and UK. The study, commissioned by International Workplace Group, found that more than a third of hybrid employees are…

HR Magazine speaks to Benita Chick and Fern Ngai of Encompass HK to get their take on what HR leaders need to be mindful of when navigating the ‘Trump Backlash’ on DEI. The current political climate under the Trump administration has sparked a backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)…

With Hong Kong’s dog population growing to over 300,000, more than 200,000 families in the SAR now own a dog. However, as return-to-office mandates are now increasing dog owners may be left with challenges as to how to handle their furry friends when switching back to full-time office work. HR…

Federal Express Corporation,  the express transportation giant, has expanded its leadership team in Asia Pacific (APAC) to advance business and talent strategy with Rumana Rahman joining as Vice President, APAC Human Resources, and Shanker Venkateswaran, is appointed as Vice President, APAC Planning & Engineering. By attracting and retaining top talent…

With the average worker spending 31% of the working week in meetings, office experts explore how to be more efficient to prevent burnout. HR Magazine spoke with Helen Godliman, Head of HR Operations, Instant Offices, who shared how four hours a week not spent in meetings can reduce the need…

Pinch, punch, first of the month and April is here … probably more famed for April Fool’s pranks, in fact, April is also Stress Awareness Month. With over 13,000 searches for ‘wellbeing’ and 6,000 for ‘burnout’ in the last month, experts are exploring how to help manage stress and improve…

Pursuit of Excellence … or Pursuit of Attention? HR Magazine spoke to veteran British adventurer and long-term Middle East resident Adrian Hayes, who is embarking on his second attempt to summit the world’s third-highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), in April and May 2025. Situated in the Himalayas on Nepal’s eastern…

The two-day China Development Forum was held on 23 March 2025 in Beijing aimed at ‘fully unleashing development momentum and jointly promoting stable growth of the global economy’. Chairs of MNCs, CEOs, business leaders, scholars and representatives of international organisations gathered to discuss the latest global development trends and potential…

Innovative approach launched in Macau to help better integrate learning and working experiences and nurture young talent to support the SAR’s tourism and leisure sector. In alignment with the Macao SAR Government’s policy of “Building Macau Through Talent,” SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and Macao University of Tourism (UTM) have jointly…

Research from The Global Payroll Association (GPA) has shown that a third of UK workers plan to leave their jobs in 2025. Top motivating factors include pay, job security and career progression. So, where are these workers most likely to go, and are there jobs available for them in their…

Hiring and retaining the right people in Hong Kong has not got any easier for HR over the years. The costs of investing in the right talent continue to climb and according to the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong organisations face a 74% shortage, while AI skills demand…

Creating Positive Workplace Vibes… The hospitality industry is facing renewed scrutiny as alarming new research exposes the heightened risk of sexual harassment among its workforce. A recent study from Sheffield Hallam University has found that hospitality workers in insecure employment are 60% more likely to report experiencing sexual harassment than…

Success strategies for couples who work From meeting on Tinder in 2018 to running a £50 million business together, Abbott Lyon founders Jezz and Asha Skelton have built a successful jewellery brand and navigated the challenges of working together as a couple. Skelton, who has made the Forbes 30 under…

To help prevent illness and reduce absenteeism through effective prevention measures, quick treatment and continuous follow-up, Danica hopes to help HR and employees across Denmark. On 6 March 2025, MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) announced it is now working with Danica to augment its current offerings to include life,…

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on 12 March 20205 that they are pledging Php 10 million to the PAL Foundation through our Fly With Her Program to increase female representation in the airline’s pilot workforce. This program supports PAL’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and gender equity in aviation, as well as…

Hong Kong has emerged as the global success story of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025—now officially recognised as the world’s most improved location with a 63% improvement rate across ranked subjects. Nine universities collectively contribute 257 ranked entries, with standout performances in Dentistry, Education, Nursing, and Linguistics—all now positioned within the…

What is a Workation? The rise of hybrid and remote working has brought about the ‘workation’, which refers to working remotely from a holiday destination, allowing professionals to enjoy a change of scenery without using up all their annual leave. Employees taking a workation are then able to blend work…

Paul MP Chan, Financial Secretary, for the HKSAR Government delivered the 2025-26 Budget and stressed the need for Hong Kong to lead its future development through reform and innovation. Pivotal to this vision is the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces.…

More help for HR with global benefits is on the way, as MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) announced on 6 March 2025 that it is now working with Danica, a leading health insurance solutions company in Denmark. MAXIS GBN works with over 300 multinational organisations to deliver employee benefits risk…

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is fast approaching the application deadline for the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Employers Award Scheme on 31 March 2025. This is a great opportunity for your company to gain recognition for your strong dedication to advancing racial diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace. If…

On International Women’s Day, Danny Khursigara, Managing Director, FreedomOne International Consulting shares five tips for empowering women in leadership roles. Khursigara noted, “We believe that empowering women in leadership creates stronger, more inclusive organisations” and shared five actionable tips to help leaders support and empower women in the workplace. 5 Ways Organisations Can Empower Women in Leadership…

Game app addresses sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace Sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace are serious problems. But individuals and organisations often cannot recognise the problem and sexism goes unchallenged. This creates an increasingly hostile working environment. The Antisexism Game is a game-based app that helps employees and…

Netizens are becoming increasingly vocal about social issues that are important to them, especially those linked to the workplace according to a whitepaper released by Truescope Singapore on workplace discrimination in Singapore for 2022. As part of their analysis, a total of 7,442 comments from netizens were extracted and analysed for the…

British Airways has today unveiled a new uniform to take the airline into its next chapter. The collection of garments, created by British fashion designer and tailor Ozwald Boateng OBE, will be worn by more than 30,000 of the airline’s colleagues from spring 2023. Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and…

HR Magazine spoke with Jonathan Passmore, Ph.D., SVP, Coaching at CoachHub to get his predictions for the next five big things that are likely to happen in the world of coaching in 2023. His top five trends to look out for are: The coming year will bring a host of…

The top 17 Best Places to Work in Asia Pacific for 2022 has just been announced by The Best Places to Work organisation. Topping this year’s ranking was Amway, a multi-level marketing company that sells health, beauty, and home care products followed by Novo Nordisk, the leading global healthcare company.…

One Bangkok, the largest holistically integrated district in the heart of Bangkok being developed by Frasers Property and TCC Assets, announced a strategic partnership with CBRE and JLL introduce the market to the first two office towers at the heart of Bangkok CBD. Offering a combined 200,000 sq. m. of lettable premium…

Insufficient data and difficulties in tracking progress  key challenges to DEI efforts There is a prevalent lack of a strategic approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. This, according to a global study by Workday. For markets such as Hong Kong and…

From sci-fi films to political campaigns, the fear that automation will take over human jobs en mass is nothing new. But with the growing power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), many media outlets suggest that technology is on the verge of a genuine takeover. New data analysed by Moneyzine.com suggests that these reports are…

Fatima Koning, Chief Commercial Officer, IWG shares what the past five years has taught her about managing a global sales team across 120 markets in the hybrid model. Two and a half years on from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s clear there’s been a profound, permanent change in…

By Cath Kidston For many people, the thought of receiving gifts is the best part of Christmas. Who doesn’t like holding a mysterious parcel in their hands, untying the bow and wondering what could possibly be underneath that shiny reindeer wrapping paper? The act of giving gifts is an ancient…

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of AWS Industry Quest, a new interactive, game-based learning experience to help individuals and organisations develop the skills they need to build solutions for common use cases in their industry. Professionals and teams can play AWS Industry Quest: Financial Services to learn and…

A quarter of talent in Hong Kong states that they are expecting a minimum salary increment of between 10 – 15% when they switch jobs in 2023. Another 18% state that they expect a whopping 15  – 20% pay raise when switching employers next year. This, rather worrying news for…

I think I have PhFD …while it might sound like a new qualification, it is in fact ‘post-HK facemask disorder’ I am currently on annual leave and travelling to Australia to see my kids over the Christmas period and the trip drove home the stark contrast between what some have…

Emirates has relaunched its Accelerated Command programme, inviting Captains with Airbus fly-by-wire experience to rev up their careers and live in dynamic Dubai. The airline continues to also recruit First Officers across its fleet. Accelerated Command Programme (ACP) Ambitious Captains will join Emirates as A380 First Officers on an enhanced…

The effects of a post-pandemic talent shortage in Hong Kong are being compounded by accelerated demand for tech talent, global competition for skilled professionals, and an exodus of talent over the last few years. Key findings from the digital Salary Survey 2023 by Robert Walters, show that more than 80%…

The (ISC)² APAC Cybersecurity Hiring Managers Research reveals cybersecurity opportunities for fresh graduates and career switchers within organizations in Hong Kong. (ISC)² – the nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals – recently published its APAC Cybersecurity Hiring Managers research report. Based on observations of 787 respondents across Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan…

We hear a lot about the changing nature of work, from the rise of remote working to the phenomenon of ‘quiet quitting’. But we rarely get a real sense of how these changes affect workers’ psychology. Workers aged 65 and over are nearly 2x more likely to say work is…

Talent shortage has become the primary challenge businesses face in 2022. Getting ahead of unfolding developments in the market is essential for hirers who are looking to acquire the right talent and build a stable candidate pool. JobsDB by SEEK,  the leading employment platform in Hong Kong, hosted the Forward Together – Soar towards…

By Erica So, Trainee Solicitor and Sapphire Wong, Summer Intern, Ravenscroft & Schmierer The ‘Gig Economy’ is a free-market system, where people engage in freelancing activities, temporary employment or less formal segments of the labour market, such as project-based services offered on digital platforms. Employers’ increasing demands to bring flexibility…

Mercer has just opened its new office in Macau. The latest expansion enables them to accelerate growth and meet growing demand for its services and solutions in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) in addition to its existing offices in Hong Kong SAR, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The new office in Macau…

Salaries in Hong Kong SAR continue to rise in 2023 but companies are cautiously optimistic, according to the latest Mercer survey: Overall median salary increments still below pre-pandemic levels, but projected to hit 3.8% next year, up from 3.6% this year Talent attraction and retention biggest challenge for companies as…

When it comes to APAC workplaces, Singapore has some of the best, and this year Manhattan Associates has been ranked number nine by Singapore’s Best Workplaces™ in Technology list. In total 33 workplaces over four different categories, micro, small, media and large, have been ranked as Singapore’s Best Workplaces in Technology according to…

How managed service providers are changing talent landscapes for the better As organisations strive to keep pace with digital and technological advancements, many face a talent shortage, which could hinder the race. The surge in the number of individuals returning to work has arisen due to a combination of factors,…

Founded in 2020 by two former students at LSE, Frog is a new kind of social media app setting out to fight fake friends and pseudo-relationships and seems to be doing a great job internally of attracting a super diverse talent force. Founded in 2020, instant video messaging social media…

The Work Trend Index Pulse report: Hybrid Work Is Just Work. Are We Doing It Wrong? just released by Microsoft shows a growing disconnect between employers and employees. The tech giant also announced new capabilities in Microsoft Viva, its employee experience platform, designed to help empower and energize employees in a…

Recent analysis by BanklessTimes.com revealed that employees working in the blockchain domain are 22% more likely to get a job than those looking for more traditional jobs. Speaking on the data, Jonathan Merry, CEO, BanklessTimes said, “The analysis shows that the blockchain industry is booming and offers a wealth of…

Baker McKenzie has just released a new survey report that looks at the emerging trends in whistleblowing reports across APAC, and how companies are handling these whistleblowing reports. Whistleblowing reports on the rise; regional variance in organizational preparedness running risk of compliance breaches 41% of business leaders reported an increase…

AXA (Asia and Africa) is pleased to announce it has become the founding principal partner of the landmark Mental Health at Work Index™, the first-ever standardised assessment of organisational programmes and practices supporting workforce mental health that will help set global standards for such efforts. The evidence-based and technology-enabled Index will be developed through…

Finastra today announced the appointment of Helen Cook as Chief People Officer. In her role she takes global responsibility for the people organization and advancing the company’s aspiration to be the most inclusive and diverse employer in the Fintech industry. She is particularly passionate about building a curious and well-tooled workforce,…

To echo the US ADHD Awareness Month held annually in October, Let’s Talk ADHD and Hong Kong Let’s Talk ADHD Association are going to host the Hong Kong ADHD Awareness Week 2022 between 23 and 29 October.  Through a series of webinars by professionals and ADHDers, Awareness Week aims to…

 AlixPartners has, for the fifth consecutive year, been named a “Best Firm to Work For” by Consulting magazine. Firms on the list were judged on a range of employee satisfaction criteria including career development, client engagement, compensation and benefits, organizational culture, work/life balance, and leadership. In addition, this year the…

20 Ways To Boost Employee Engagement And Put A Stop To Quiet Quitting Few in HR think that a pay cheque alone each month is enough to keep employees engaged and motivated; however, as the trend of quiet quitting continues this indicates that significant gaps still  exist between employer and…

Research, undertaken by Lensa, reveals what employees are demanding from their workspace in 2022. The research looked at global and US search trends to investigate what employees are really  looking for from their employers in 2022. Top 10 employee demands (in the last 5 years) Rank Benefit YoY Change in Searches…

“In the face of rising inflation and a potential recession, many startups are finding that they need to reduce their workforce to stay afloat. Startups are particularly vulnerable to the current economic conditions because they often have high overhead costs and thin profit margins.” The tech startup space in the…

In recognition of the outstanding anti-pandemic efforts of its property and facility management teams, Savills Services Group has established the Savills Anti-pandemic Awards offering cash prizes totalling HK$2 million.  The Group also safeguards the health and safety of its workforce by investing over HK$10 million in an employee wellness programme and…

Joy Xu, Chief Human Resources Officer, Manulife Asia, says internship opportunities for younger talent need to be representative of the diversity of the current talent pool. Finding the right fit is important for everyone when starting out in their career. The challenge is even greater for those who are marginalised…

It comes as no surprise to HR that people who hold a Master’s degree generally get paid more than people who hold a bachelor’s degree. However, the earning potential varies a lot depending on what institution you studied at and the specialisation of your Master’s. Moneyzine.com recently looked at the…

Mayer Brown was awarded an ‘Excelling’ performance rating in the Thriving at Work Survey of the City Mental Health Alliance Hong Kong (CMHA HK) for the second consecutive year.  The Survey, introduced in Hong Kong in 2019, assesses company members of CMHA HK on their implementation of mental health strategies in…

According to a study from Eagle Hill Consulting, less than half of workers (48%) receive regular feedback or reviews from their managers on an annual or semi-annual basis. A further 8% said that they have never received feedback on their work. This is much to employees’ chagrin as the report…

According to the latest ONS figures in the UK, the number of disabled people in employment increased by 1.3 million for an overall total of 4.8 million disabled people in the workplace. However, in practice, this means that only 54% of people with disabilities are employed compared to 82% without…

The Best Workplaces in Hong Kong 2022 Awards ceremony has recognised organisations that have created outstanding work environments for their employees, while concurrently promoting the building of high-trust and caring workplace cultures. In its seventh year, the 2022 awards ceremony was conducted virtually due to ongoing endemic circumstances. Secretary for…

Global compliance and HR solutions provider Deel’s State of the Global Hiring Report has found that today’s economic environment is making cross-border hiring more attractive than ever before. The trends driving global hiring growth according to the report are access to a large pool of high-quality talent and remote work…

The MetLife and AXA International joint venture, MAXIS Global Benefits Network, has formed a new partnership with Further Group to offer innovative Critical Advantage solution to MAXIS GBN’s clients. As a result, multinationsl will be able to offer their people treatment outside of their home country at medical centres of…

In the findings from Universum’s latest annual global talent survey, Hong Kong’s university graduates are expecting nearly a 20% higher annual salary for their first full-time job compared to 2021. The research sets out to track the career aspirations and preferences of the future talent pool as they look to…

Recent research from management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company has revealed that 40% of workers globally are considering to leave their jobs in the near future. Whilst there is ample evidence that workforce discontent is a global phenomenon, certain markets have seen their situation deteriorate. Singapore was one such region…

Herbal tea specialist Hung Fook Tong Group has announced that from August, it will pilot a hybrid work model which will enable its office staff to work from home once a week. At the same time, the company will also extend its existing flexible working hours arrangement and introduce more…

Officially launched in September 2021, OJ Ability is the Oliver James Group’s recruitment non-profit dedicated to supporting the career development of those living with a disability. By combining their recruitment experience with the expertise of their disability charity partners, they provide a tailored service to the requirements of their candidates…

The Hong Kong Government should raise the statutory minimum wage to HK$ 50 per hour—a 33% increase, according to the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong Diocesan Pastoral Centre for Workers (Kowloon). The suggested rate by the centre is to ensure that worker’s pay can cope with raising inflation levels. The…

Meta has appointed Patrick Pan to the position of Head of Taiwan and Hong Kong. With more than 18 years of technology sector experience, Pan brings a broad range of skills and perspectives on spearheading organizational effectiveness and growth for multinational corporations. As Head of Taiwan and Hong Kong at Meta,…

In a study of more than 2,000 workers by recruitment firm Reed, workers have indicated that they would be more willing to take on a role that offered them more flexible ways of working than a shorter work week. The findings come at a time when a large-scale four-day week…

According to a survey carried out by business specialist company Oliver Wight, around 60% of businesses in Asia Pacifc have reported that they are able to recruit “good people” despite the challenges facing the current talent market. However, 40% of businesses revealed that they are still having difficulty when it…

Chief executives of S&P 500 companies in the US earnt on average US$ 18.3 million more than the median worker—who took home $23,968, in 2021 according to an American labour union. This represents a staggering 324 times pay difference and is a higher ratio than it was in 2020. According…

Findings from the Annual Leave Allowances survey by Just Eat for Business has revealed that 20% of British workers are unable to take time off work due to staffing shortages and reduced business resources—meaning their requests for leave are denied. The news should come as little surprise considering recent reports…

According to the latest data from the Statistics Department, Hong Kong’s unemployment rate dropped for two months in a row to 4.7% meaning that around 178,000 of the city’s workforce are still struggling to find work. The number of unemployed citizens fell by around 12,800 while that of the underemployed…

A large-scale report involving more than 12 million employees across 125 countries by HR advisory services firm Kincentric has shown that while employee engagement levels have remained stable year-on-year, engagement has varied wildly from quarter to quarter because of the impact of significant, turbulent world events on employees. The Report…

Totaljobs’ Hiring Trends Index second quarter report has laid out the recruitment landscape and trends of the UK market as well as a preview of what is to come in Q3. Overall, vacancies continue to remain at a record high with many businesses wanting to explore alternative routes to fill…

Findings from Mercer Marsh Benefits People Risk 2022 survey have found that 87% of HR and risk professionals believe that health and safety is a serious threat to their business. The survey of over 2,500 HR professionals and risk managers from 25 markets covered 25 people risks under five pillars…

A recent survey of 2,100 C-suite leaders by Deloitte in partnership with Workplace Intelligence has found that nearly 70% of the C-suite are seriously contemplating quitting their job for one that better supports their well-being. The report, The C-suite’s role in well-being: How health-savvy executives can go beyond workplace wellness…

This summer, New World Group will pilot a 4.5-day work week to provide more flexible work models including one work-from-home day to adapt to the new normal in the workplace. To help its employees maintain a healthy work-life balance and improve their physical and mental health, the Group announced its…

The demand for flexible and coworking spaces has never been higher. As companies continue to redefine their workplaces, one provider is going the extra mile to ensure that its members are well-positioned to leverage their workspace to their advantage. HR Magazine recently spoke with Nadia Zhu, Regional Managing Director –…

In a recent survey, CLP Group was named Hong Kong’s most diverse employer. HR Magazine spoke with Priscilla Chau, Human Resources Director, CLP Power to better understand how the Group’s Hong Kong subsidiary is championing diversity and empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated world. CLP Power’s overarching diversity agenda and…

Findings from Sodexo Engage’s SME Guide to Loyalty and Engagement report have revealed that SMEs are at risk of losing up to 41% of their female talent in the coming year. The report surveyed SME employees and employers in the UK to better understand how SMEs can thrive in a…

In today’s ‘tight talent market’ – forgive the quotations as you will see why organisations have been focusing on strengthening their employee experience and corporate initiatives as ways to attract and retain talent. The problem is that there is no such thing as a tight talent market. Simply, what it…

In a survey of almost 12,000 people worldwide, global health service company, Cigna, has discovered that the vast majority of expats are burned out, stressed and re-evaluating life and work priorities for more flexibility or to be closer to family and friends. The report—Burned Out Overseas – The State of…

The United Kingdom is bracing for a summer of discontent as employees across the country threaten mass walkouts in a fight for greater pay and more favourable working conditions. This week saw the start of the country’s biggest transportation strike in three decades with 50,000 railway employees participating in a…

In HR Magazine’s recent LinkedIn poll, we asked our community to share their thoughts on what they believe will be the future of HR. Given that HR has undergone a considerable transformation over the past few years it was only natural to wonder where it is heading in the future.…

The past few years have seen an unforgiving pandemic and global situation take a hefty toll on businesses, leaders and employees across the globe. Now, more than ever, the workforce is burdened with additional responsibilities and is logging more hours despite working from home and having access to technologies that…

With employee mental health and well-being an increasing priority for organisations across Hong Kong, recent research from Qualtrics in May 2022 revealed 71% of workers in Hong Kong said their job is the main source of their mental health challenges. The Mental Health in the workplace: survey of Hong Kong…

You may have seen it on your news feed, on your job searches or maybe heard about it from one of your LinkedIn connections – unlimited vacation days. So, what exactly is unlimited paid time off (PTO)? How does it work? Is it really unlimited? What does it mean for…

The results of the 2022 Most Attractive Employer by HR solutions agency Randstad have been revealed with Swire Properties being crowned as the city’s Most Attractive Employer. This is the second time that Swire Properties has won the award with the first time being in 2020. The annual Randstad Employer…

Hong Kong employees have seen the highest pay raise in three years according to JobsDB’s Job Seeker Salary Report 2022, with wages rising by 3.2% on average across the city. This marks a significant increase compared to last year’s 0.4% marking a record high and a return to pre-pandemic levels.…

Asia Pacific is showing signs of uneven progress toward gender equity according to a new report by Equileap. The research examined almost 1,200 companies on gender equity-specific issues across the region including equal pay, female representation, paid parental leave and anti-sexual harassment policies. The region’s advanced economies including Australia, Hong…

A study of global leadership with C-suite professionals by PA Consulting has confirmed observations that there are new concrete ways of leading that make a tangible difference to the health and happiness of an organisation and wider society. The survey of over 300 business leaders across the US, UK and…

According to Gallup’s latest report—State of the Global Workplace 2022, only 21% of all employees worldwide are engaged in their workplace with the levels of engagement swinging wildly across regions. In East Asia (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea and Taiwan), the number of engaged employees dwindles to just…

International hotel operator Accor has joined forces with mobile workplace solution provider ATIOM to empower its talents by enabling them to learn and grow. The app will provide effective training, communication and real-time engagement with frontline teams to the Group’s 30,000 employees across 400 hotels in 12 countries worldwide. Internal…

US multinational bank Wells Fargo has caused controversy after allegedly holding sham interviews to meet diversity targets despite the vacancies already being filled. The bank is facing a federal investigation after current and former employees spoke up about the unethical hiring practices. A number of the bank’s employees came forward…

Recent studies and lack of legal protections highlight the need for Hong Kong’s HR professionals to step up as an ally year-round, not just for Pride month. It is that time of year once again. Thousands of organisations across the globe show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community by changing…

According to Great Expectations: Making Hybrid Work Work by Microsoft, 60% of managers in Singapore say leadership at their company is out of touch with employee expectations, while 78% say they do not have the influence or resources to drive change for their team. The second annual Work Trend Index…

Findings from a YouGov for Business in the Community poll has experts cautioning that an ‘always-on’ culture needs to be urgently addressed in order to give employees a healthy work-life balance. Its findings reveal that more than half of the 4,200 employees polled felt obligated to respond to work-related calls…

Working from home has become the new norm for many workers and overwhelmingly, many think that they will never return to the old ways of working ever again due to its positive impacts. However, some may believe that employees’ love of working from home is because they despise going into…

When one talks about gender diversity, it may often be interpreted as a push for equal representation between men and women however, the concept of gender has evolved in recent times beyond the traditional binary options. Nowadays, there has been an increase in the rich diversity of gender expression as…

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed the second reading of a bill that will see the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) offsetting mechanism cancelled. In a vote on 8 June, 72 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposal. The bill now moves to a third reading to be held today (9…

In a new deal struck by the EU government, there will be a new set of rules that determines whether or not a member state’s existing statutory minimum wages (i.e. the lowest permitted by law) are sufficient to ensure a decent standard of living for the Union’s lowest-paid workers. The…

From 30 June 2026, large companies with more than 250 employees that operate in the European Union (EU) will have to ensure that 40% of their board seats are held by women as a result of a new agreement. After a decade of deadlock over the proposals, EU lawmakers have…

On 1 June, a coordinated effort and large-scale pilot scheme for a four-day week got underway in the UK. 4-Day Week Global in partnership with Autonomy and the 4-Day Week UK Campaign, initiated a six-month trial of a four-day working week, with no loss in pay for employees. This scheme…

A new study by Instant Offices has revealed that 72% of employees in Hong Kong feel unhappy at work. The study compared several APAC jurisdictions to determine which places have the strongest culture of overworking and compared countries by average working hours, annual leave and workplace happiness. The results are…

For the first time in 26 years, subsidies that cover outstanding wages from insolvent employers may see higher payment ceilings from next Friday (17 June) according to an announcement by Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong. A resolution proposing an increase to the ceiling for ex gratia payments to…

Peaks and troughs are part of the ride for any business, but a company based on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia is helping those troughs potentially become valuable money-earners. Technology provider BenchOn has re-imagined its “staff sharing portal” to help companies manage their workforces in new ways. Established by…

As many companies hit the pause button on their hiring plans back in 2020, the demand for recruitment services plunged with many firms shedding jobs and looking for ways to cut costs. Since then, the world has gone back to almost normal and the demand for recruiters is now back…

Despite an increase in the number of companies offering solutions to reduce employee stress levels, 98% of HR professionals reported that they have felt burnt out at work in the last six months according to a survey conducted by Workvivo. What is more alarming is that nearly four in five…

FinTech company Hyphen Group has announced its new policy that aims to give its employees greater flexibility and choice when it comes to their individual working arrangements. The move comes as a response to an increasing demand for flexible models of working from employees across the globe. Under the new…

According to NTUC Learning’s Hubs latest industry insights, more than four in five employers in Singapore said that there is an increasing need for employees across various job roles and departments to have basic coding skills and knowledge. Almost a third also said that a large proportion of job roles…

DLA Piper’s 2022 Gender Pay Transparency International Survey has highlighted the recent developments across the globe in regard to laws targeting gender pay gaps. As the focus on workplace pay and gender equality will not be flying off the radar any time soon, it is critical from a risk and…

This list of benefits that hybrid work and remote work policies have on employees and employers continues to grow.  For those companies that switch to a hybrid work model, they could be setting themselves up to save as much as US$ 13,000 per employee each year according to new research…

In a sample of over 30,000 workers worldwide, ADP’s People at Work 2022: A Global Workforce View has explored employees’ attitudes towards the current world of work and what they expect and hope for from the workplace of the future. Given the turbulent past couple of years and amidst the…

A toxic workplace culture could be preventing up to two-thirds of prospective candidates from accepting a job offer according to new data from Culture Shift. The findings reveal that almost half of employees are put off applying for a job with a company that has negative online reviews, let alone…

For those seeking to improve their work-life balance, they may want to book a ticket to northern Europe. An annual study by IoT security firm Kisi has released this year’s rankings of cities across the globe by how successfully they promote work-life balance. The study examined a range of factors…

With all the talk about how workers are not wanting to return to the office, a surprising factoid from LinkedIn’s research has revealed that despite an increase in the number of remote roles, Gen Z workers between the ages of 20 – 24 were making the fewest applications to fully…

According to HR Magazine’s recent poll on LinkedIn, over half of HR professionals (55%) believe that employees should be required to be on-site once or twice a week. Almost 700 HR professionals across the globe participated in our LinkedIn poll where we pondered whether employees should have to return to…

By now, the great return is well underway with many employers mandating a return to the office. However, one company that is progressively breaking the mould is Klook. The travel and leisure platform recently launched a ‘Workcation’ initiative that aims to give Klookers a greater sense of freedom — the…

Let’s face it, we can all get stuck in a rut sometimes. Instead of trying to power through why not leverage a more proactive approach that might help to give you a boost when you are feeling stuck in the mud. Everyone has heard of the ‘to-do list’, you probably…

Data from HR and Payroll company SD Worx has revealed that almost a third (32%) of companies have no system in place that enables employees to report instances of discrimination. Though an encouraging 68% of businesses are committed to removing unconscious bias from the recruitment process, many are still facing…

American coffee company, Starbucks, becomes the latest Western corporation to announce its exit from the Russian market after 15 years. The coffee brand ceased trading in Russia in March but announced that it will now pull out entirely according to a statement issued by the company. The release said that…

For the first time in a decade of research, work-life balance has overtaken salary as the most important employee value proposition that workers look for in an employer. According to the poll by Randstad as part of their Employer Brand Research 2022, ‘attractive salary and benefits’ dipped two per cent…

The Hong Kong Government has laid out its intentions to raise the maximum fine for employers who violate occupational health and safety laws by a staggering 20 times to a maximum of HK$ 10 million. Under the current legislation, employers who fail to comply with regulations face a fine of…

  An executive from tech giant Apple has allegedly left the company after the company mandated that workers return to the office three days a week. In a note to staff, Ian Goodfellow, Apple’s Director of Machine Learning, reportedly said, “I believe strongly that more flexibility would have been the…

Langham Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Ms Sherona Shng as Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong and Regional Vice President, Operations – Asia, overseeing hotels from Hong Kong to Tokyo and Jakarta. In addition to her leadership role, Shng will have expanded operational oversight of all Langham…

Amazon Australia will move to allow employees at its Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra offices to bring their dogs to work. As part of their independent research, Amazon Australia found that 23% of Australians welcomed a four-legged friend into their family during the pandemic and now seven in ten dog…

Insights from a survey by insurance giant AIA have revealed that two in three Singapore Residents are concerned about losing their job due to illness and/or disability. More than half of the respondents (53%) also reported that they do not have any disability income protection according to findings from the…

Every company has rules—that’s a given; however, some rules are more of a choice or maybe a short-sighted attempt at establishing a hierarchy and creating order. Understandably companies want to maintain certain standards and codes of conduct but there are some rules that could be killing morale. Below are examples…

A survey by the Chartered Management Institute has uncovered a growing backlash from male managers towards gender equality. The poll discovered that a third of male managers feel as though too much effort is being placed into supporting gender equality in the workplace compared to 13% of women. On the…

A dating nightmare that became HR’s problem Ghosting has become synonymous with dating in the twenty-first century—you go on a date, have a seemingly great time, part ways, and then never hear from the other party ever again. This phenomenon has since evolved to become a major headache for HR,…

According to a global skills analysis by Cornerstone OnDemand (CSOD), there seems to be a huge disconnect between employers and employees when it comes to upskilling. According to the study—Thriving in the Global Skills Shortage: Your Path Through the Wilderness, employers strongly believe that they are on the right track…

Mercer’s 2022 global talent trends study—The Rise of the Relatable Organisation, businesses across Asia are still tuning into shifting employee needs to rethink ways of working, upskilling and well-being to drive their success. Talent attraction and retention are of top concern for executives across the region with seven in ten…

  Anyone working or living in Hong Kong for an extended period of time will be familiar with the territory’s Black Rain and Typhoon weather warning system. These extreme weather alerts in the past, typically up-ended working and school arrangements resulting in class and work being suspended. Employees across the…

A few weeks ago, news began circulating that a member of the British Conservative party was found to be watching adult content whilst on the clock. This news is supported by data from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky which found that over half of employees admitted to watching adult content on work…

Data from well-being and performance specialists GoodShape has revealed that over the course of the pandemic, mental health-related absences cost British employers an estimated GBP £17 billion. The research found that employees took a collective 125 million days off work, 57% of which were taken by females. The UK Mental…

The latest data from Incomes Data Research (IDR) has shown that in the three months to April 2022, the median pay award rose from 3.0% to 3.5%. IDRs’ analysis of 70 pay deals in the preceding three months revealed that over two-fifths of reviews have awarded employees with an increase…

Buying a birthday card, chairing a committee, organising holiday parties, and writing up minutes are some ‘non-promotable work’ tasks that are important to organisational functioning, but unlikely to be rewarded or even recognised. Many, if not most working women are assigned or accept these tasks as part of their job…

Research by Management Education provider CEMS has revealed that a good work-life balance is rated on par with salary as a top criterion for jobseekers. Of the more than 4,000 respondents, work-life balance and salary ranked equally across the board. However, for professionals over the age of 35, work-life balance…

Under a new company-wide policy, Airbnb employees can ‘live and work anywhere’ according to an email circulated by company CEO Brian Chesky. Under the new policy, employees will be able to move anywhere within the United States without a change in compensation. The policy also gives Airbnb employees the flexibility…

It is no secret that employees like working from home. Since companies took the bold step to redefine how employees work, many have since grown accustomed to the comforts that come with flexible and remote working. Yet, remote working is not possible for all employees or for all employers. If…

Towergate Health & Protection, a business insurance provider, recently polled 500 HR decision makers on their benefits practices and found that 45% of employers were having difficulties ensuring that communication of health and wellbeing support is relevant since the pandemic began. The majority of employers (56%) stated that they have…

Many companies have felt the impact of the historic levels of resignation that have swept the working world by storm, and it shows no signs of slowing down. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, more Americans than ever before quit their jobs in March. A…

Boomerangs, no, not the Australian throwing tool, are making a comeback (no pun intended.) A ‘boomerang employee’ is one that leaves the company they work for but then, at a later date, decides to return to work for the company once again. Boomerang employment is a growing trend in part…

A London-based law firm has made headlines as it has offered staff the option to permanently work from home but pay them 20% less than their current salary. The firm, Stephenson Harwood, told the British media that it had hired some remote workers from outside the capital during the pandemic…

Statistics from Randstad’s annual Employer Brand Research survey have shown that 31% of Hongkongers plan to change employers in the first half of 2022, marking an eight per cent increase from 2021. Similarly, the percentage of respondents who are not afraid of losing their jobs and intending to change employers…

Independent insurance brokerage firm Lockton Asia has announced the appointment of Stella Sung as Senior Vice President, Head of Benefits and Health – North Asia. Sung will be based in Hong Kong, overseeing business for Greater China and North Asia. “As Lockton Asia broadens and deepens its benefits capabilities, Stella…

The Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions has released data from its study that has highlighted the city’s culture of long working hours. The study of 564 working-age employees conducted between mid-March to mid-April this year, found that on average, two-thirds of employees in the city are working…

The fifth annual Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) provides insight into the progress of women in business around the globe. The MIWE performance ranking draws on socioeconomic factors that nurture or hinder the ability of women to progress and thrive in the business world. 65 economies were examined with…

The CV, HR’s first interaction with potential talent. CVs contain a plethora of information that signal to those in talent acquisition if a candidate is a prospective match for the organisation yet in reality, that information is encouraging biases and holding HR back from hiring explains a report from candidate…

Road rage, air rage, appliance rage…’rage’ is all the rage. How about adding a new one to your vocabulary: ‘desk rage.’ Desk rage is a real issue with serious implications for today’s employees and managers and can take the form of rudeness, yelling, verbal abuse or manifest itself through attacks…

A Unique benefit that can attract and retain talent China’s economy is expected to grow in 2022 with the Bank of China predicting a five per cent increase for the year ahead. Coupled with ‘The Great Resignation’ phenomenon, it is having a significant impact on China’s job market. Companies across…

A digital nomad is a remote worker who travels and works simultaneously. Whether it is for a few months or years, recent research predictions from Instant Offices, there could be a billion people living and working this way by 2035. Advances in technology, demand for remote working and changes in…

The Workplace Smart Cleanliness study conducted by SoftBank Robotics and Milieu Insight has shed light on how employees feel about their workplace cleanliness. Indoor air quality, cleaning frequency and virus transmission risks were reported as the key concerns amongst the workforce. The study found that 84% of workers cited cleanliness…

Streaming platform Netflix dropped a new documentary—White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch, that charts the company’s success in the early ’90s and ‘00s to its subsequent downfall. It is no news that the ‘all-American’ retailer was embroiled in a number of scandals namely due to its…

Data from KPMG’s Hong Kong Executive Salary Outlook 2022 report has revealed that executives across all sectors expect an increase in headcount whilst bonus payments are seen rebounding and salary expectations rising. The report also found that competition for talent remains high, compelling employers to search for creative ways to…

Unconscious biases (UB) are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside of their conscious awareness and can inadvertently lead to individuals being insulted, offended, hurt or judged as less competent. Recently, many organisations have turned to unconscious bias training to address the impact that UB have…

Global cloud-based financial close solutions provider Trintech has announced the appointment of Monna Nevils as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). With a focus on employees, Nevils will help Trintech continue to build an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing culture. She will lead all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, learning…

A Hong Kong worker has taken legal action against a FinTech company over a revocation of an employment offer after he contracted COVID-19 before his first day of work. The man is suing the company, MEX Fintech, for a sum of HK$ 70,000 as well as a written apology. The…

A US employer in the state of Kentucky has been ordered to shell out US$ 450,000 in compensation to an employee after throwing them an unwanted birthday party. The employee, Kevin Berling, requested that his employer, Gravity Diagnostics not to celebrate his birthday because it would trigger a panic attack.…

In a global data study of the best cities for business ideas by Money.co.uk, Taiwanese capital Taipei came out on top. The survey analysed data from Kickstarter campaigns between 2016 and 2021—considering the success and failure rate, number of backers and amount of capital, in cities around the world and…

In an unprecedented move amongst the professional services firms, Big Four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Australia, has laid bare what it is paying— from associates to partners, for all to see. The report includes the pay data of workers across all divisions and levels of the organisation for the financial year…

Findings from Sodexo Engage’s SME Guide to Loyalty and Engagement report have revealed that SMEs are at risk of losing up to 41% of their female talent in the coming year. The report surveyed SME employees and employers in the UK to better understand how SMEs can thrive in a…

Employee performance management start-up, Mesh, has announced a US$ 11 million series A funding round led by RTP Global. The HR tech company co-founded by Gaurav Chaubey, Saurabh Nangia and Rahul Singh in 2020 is in full-scale mode with revenues increasing 16-fold in just two years. Mesh is a performance…

How a Hong Kong start-up is helping HR harmonise and redefine the sales industry. At first glance, iSlash’s platform can be viewed as a disruptor of the traditional in-store sales process yet, digging a little deeper, its functionality can be leveraged by HR and business leaders alike to better understand…

In today’s “tight talent market” – forgive the quotations as you will see why, organisations have been focusing on strengthening their employee experience and corporate initiatives as ways to attract and retain talent. The problem is that there is no such thing as a tight talent market. Simply, what it…

Super commutes—defined as a commute that takes 90 minutes or longer one-way, are not a new phenomenon and have been a staple of the C-suite and for executives for years. What is new, is how the pandemic has increased the prevalence of this phenomenon. Workers were forced to work remotely…

A new initiative as part of the Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities (SPED) will afford Hong Kong employers with workers who have disabilities the opportunity to apply for a one-off subsidy to the value of HK$ 40,000. The subsidy can be used by employers to modify their workplaces to…

Research from global health care company Otsuka Pharmaceutical and the Society for Human Resource Management has discovered that only 32 per cent of HR professionals report that offering mental health resources is a high priority for the organisation. Despite this, the survey, Mental Health in America: A 2022 Workplace Report,…

As the global post-pandemic recovery begins to ramp up, many workers have begun to return to the office. The Human Workplace Index recently conducted a survey—The Office – to return or not to return, to better understand employees’ sentiments about their impending return. More than half of the respondents indicated…

The United States, the world’s largest economy, contributing almost 16% of global GDP in 2020. With a population of over 330 million, the US is also home to a large number of world-class talent and leading businesses seeking to live out the ‘American Dream’. Yet, in stark contrast to much…

Mercer Marsh Benefit’s health trends report has unveiled the latest trends that are driving the future of employer-provided healthcare and how business leaders can manage the costs and risks amidst a changing world. The survey of 210 insurers across 59 countries discovered that the number of claims and the global…

Workers of all demographics have had their lives disrupted due to the pandemic. As pandemic-induced effects such as the great resignation continue to wrangle the professional sector, employee job attitudes have undergone a profound shift. As the majority of the world begins to live with COVID, research from Moneypenny in…

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) February 2022 statistics have showed a continued decline in the city state’s unemployment rate—dropping from 2.3% to 2.1% overall. The unemployment rate for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents also declined from 3.1% to 3.0%. As the unemployment rate continues to improve the MOM commented, “With…

Microsoft has released its second annual Work Trend Index report which has outlined five urgent trends that business leaders need to address. The report—Great Expectations: Making Hybrid Work Work, makes clear that the past two and half years have created a long-lasting impact and have fundamentally changed how people define…

The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network 2022 World Happiness Report has refreshed the list of happiest places in the world with Taiwan leading the way in Asia at 26th place. Regionally, Taiwan ranked as the happiest place in East Asia beating out other rival locations. Hong Kong, however, saw…

The latest findings from Randstad’s Hong Kong work monitor report have revealed that Hongkongers are the least likely in Asia Pacific to take action to upskill themselves. The revelation seemingly puts Hong Kong’s workforce at a disadvantage as they fail to increase their attractiveness and impact their ability to negotiate…

The 2022 Workplace Learning Report by LinkedIn Learning has discovered that there has been a 94% increase in demand for L&D professionals over the past year. Similarly, L&D professionals reported that they expected to see increases to their budgets in the coming year with 57% of those in Asia Pacific…

Recent research conducted in the UK by flexible office space provider IWG has discovered that over half of female office workers feel as though their career prospects have improved thanks to the shift to hybrid working. The findings seemingly rebuke the idea that women’s careers would be harmed by the…

We recently brought to light the need for businesses to do more in order to address feelings of loneliness amongst remote workers. With Mental Health Awareness Week just around the corner, HR and business leaders may wish to read the following list to better understand how they could provide support…

The Great Resignation shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. New survey results from anonymous professional networking site, Blind, have revealed that as much as four-fifths of professionals will be on the lookout for new career opportunities in the next three months. Employees at financial service and large…

On the last day of Women’s History Month, Great Place to Work has announced the names of companies that have been selected as the ‘Best Workplaces for Women in Greater China 2022’. An anonymous survey was conducted across the Greater China region and to be included, organisations had to have…

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham HK) has announced the appointment of Dr Eden Woon as President beginning 1 September 2022. Woon will succeed current President, Tara Joseph, after her five years of service. Woon is an experienced business and academic leader who has served in government…

As business leaders and HR take stock of the new modes and locations of working that have developed over the last few years, thoughts about their office building and the layout of physical spaces will begin to appear on their agenda. Assessing how physical spaces can constrain or enable the…

A common mistake a business can make is thinking that a few initiatives, without understanding infrastructure and integration across their organisation, will improve their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) position. Often, these are created in silos and will not stand the test of time or tackle the real issues around…

Skills-based hiring shifts recruitment focus from traditional academic credentials, long used as a proxy for ability, to hiring based on competencies. Of course, niche skills and expert knowledge are required to fulfil certain role-specific requirements, but for those mid-skill positions, measurable competencies are the true value. By adopting a skill-based…

Attrition, attraction, retention—what does HR tackle first? Why not all at once? The Great Resignation continues its solemn march across organisations worldwide with many businesses examining ways to stem the flow of resignations, attract the best talent or provide learning pathways and improved employee experiences in order to retain existing…

With teams being geographically dispersed thanks to remote working, a poll of 1,000 workers—conducted by Silicon Reef, has discovered that a third of workers had experienced feelings of loneliness when working flexibly. Workers aged between 18 – 36 were almost twice as likely as those aged 55 or above to…

A recent survey conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (ECCHK) has echoed sentiments from AmCham in that half of European companies are reconsidering their presence and looking to exit from the city by 2023. The survey conducted at the beginning of the first quarter of the…

In a day and age where society places immense value on the benefits of praise and recognition too much could have its downside—Tall Poppy Syndrome (TPS). TPS is a socio-cultural phenomenon often heard in Australia and New Zealand in which people hold back, criticize or sabotage those who have or…

Ensuring organisational cybersecurity is an ongoing process that many organisations will need to adapt to when undertaking work from home policies. In Hong Kong alone, the total number of cybercrime cases rose sixfold from 1,506 cases in 2009 to 8,322 in 2019 whilst 12, 916 cases were reported in 2020…

An international study by LHH, a talent solutions provider that is part of The Adecco Group, has released its initial findings of the Readiness Index that sought to uncover factors that influence workers’ attitudes about their readiness for the future of work. Participants across age groups and demographics were tested…

New research data from TalentLMS and SHRM indicates that companies will invest even more money in learning and development this year. As the pandemic enters its third year and amidst a deepening skills gap, leaders are turning to L&D teams to become a catalyst in smoothing the transition to a…

Manpower Group recently released its Employment Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2022 has found that Singapore has a robust hiring outlook for the coming quarter. The poll of over 500 Singaporean employers revealed that four in ten employers plan on hiring in the coming three months whilst two-fifths…

Generali Asia has announced the appointment of Davide Glavina as Chief Executive Officer of Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited and General Manager of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Hong Kong Branch. Glavina oversees Generali Hong Kong’s business and strives to accelerate its business growth. Glavina is a seasoned management executive with over…

The Philippines is the latest nation to consider implementing a four-day workweek amidst soaring cost of living and fuel prices. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Karl Chua, explained that the scheme could help increase saving in terms of conserving energy and fuel consumption. Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte…

A recent analysis by Absolute Digital Media has revealed the most appealing remote work locations in Europe. The company analysed European countries as well as major cities to discover the best destination for remote workers looking for a change of scene. Spanish capital, Madrid, came out on top with an…

British shipping giant P&O Ferries has made headlines and enraged labour unions by making 800 staff members redundant via a pre-recorded Zoom message. P&O, owned by multi-billion-pound Dubai-based DP World, made the decision to summon staff to onboard-ship meetings where they were informed that they were being laid off with…

  The Statistics Department yesterday (17 March) released new data that shows that Hong Kong’s unemployment rate rose by 0.6% to 4.5%. The latest batch of data means the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.9 per cent between last November to January to 4.5 per cent between December and…

  HR Magazine’s Managing Editor, James G. Linacre, recently gave a media interview on the magazine’s editorial focus, upcoming plans and the trends that are shaping HR. Read below for the full interview: Please tell us more about the HR Magazine and its editorial focus. HR Magazine is the largest HR-dedicated…

HR Magazine has partnered with The Executive Centre as a venue for upcoming events in Hong Kong. The Executive Centre (TEC), Asia’s premium flexible workspace provider, opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1994 and today boasts over 150+ centres in 32 cities and 14 markets. It is the third-largest…

As companies compete for talent amidst a talent crunch, we spoke with Don Guo, CEO and Co-founder of the Broctagon Fintech Group to find out how Fintech companies are at the forefront of creating a workforce of the future and how they can gain an edge in the war for…

15 March marked this year’s Equal Pay Day in the US — a symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness of gender pay disparity. The date symbolises how far into the year the average woman must work (in addition to their earnings last year) in order to match what the average…

Mental health is not a novel issue. Many employees have been inundated with mental health exhaustion and fatigue due to the ongoing pandemic with employee absence due to mental health conditions seeing a steady increase over the last decade. According to the most up to date data from the Office…

Research by Instant Offices has revealed a list of the ten most sought-after skills by UK employers. Seven out of the top ten most in-demand skills are technology-based, which is not surprising considering the accelerated pace of business digitalisation. Data science tops the list with a 295% increase in demand…

A recent report by Randstad; Hong Kong: Banking & Financial Services 2022 Recruitment and Bonus Overview, has discovered that many financial services firms in the SAR are developing new workforce planning strategies to allocate their resources where most needed. The city’s firms are deploying strategies such as remote hiring, offshoring…

The recently published Work-life Balance Cities Ranking 2021 by BPO has revealed that Hong Kong is the world’s most overworked city with 30% of workers putting in more than 48 hours per week. Rival Asia metropolises Singapore and Bangkok rank second and third respectively. Work-life balance is a relatively new…

New survey findings from anonymous reporting software company AllVoices have shed light on HR leaders’ sentiments as they continue to be faced with increased workloads and higher turnover. The survey of 400 human resources professionals discovered that 53% of respondents are feeling burnt out whilst 48% are looking for a…

Looking to forgo that morning coffee to wake you up? Wanting to bolster your immune system? A cold shower in the morning could be the solution to these problems and more according to new research. A recent large-scale study in the Netherlands has revealed that people who took cold showers…

Zeynep Ton, Professor at MIT Sloan School of Management recently held a talk on the challenges faced by low-income workers. Ton examined low-income workers, job design and business leaders’ attitudes towards increasing pay gap inequality. “There is an obsession amongst businesses to look at the market to determine the rate…

As part of a series of features of women in leadership in honour of International Women’s Day 2022, we spoke with Sandra Teh, Chief Culture Officer, APJC, Amazon Web Services. Teh shared how she overcame institutional hiring stigma to break the cycles of bias and has embraced a mindset of…

Fresh data from Link International’s 2022 Asia Pacific Salary Guide has revealed that those candidates aiming to change jobs in the coming year can expect to see a salary increment of up to 30%. Employees changing jobs in Mainland China can expect between an 8 – 29% increase whilst those…

3 March was World Hearing Day. It is estimated that 5% of the global population live with hearing loss, in Hong Kong, around 2% of the population have an auditory impairment and it is expected that these percentages will increase in the coming years. World Hearing Day is a great…

As part of our series of features of women in leadership in honour of International Women’s Day 2022, we spoke with Renata Mrazova, Chief People Officer, Home Credit about her journey in the male-dominated financial services and insurance industries. Mrazova embarked on her career by joining pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca in…

A new report, Adaptive Leaders, Culture & Strategy, from the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) has discovered that half of the business leaders surveyed are not prepared to drive the change needed for post-pandemic success. The survey polled 1000 C-level executives globally to better understand business leaders’…

As organisations across Hong Kong begin to feel the effects of the talent crunch, new research from Qualtrics has revealed the volume of employees planning to remain with their current employer has fallen by 23% compared to a year ago – representing one of the highest drops globally. The Qualtrics…

In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), HR Magazine recently talked with Rajni Sharma, Managing Director, SAP Hong Kong & Macau to discuss what it means to be a female leader in the male-dominated tech space and how cloud-based technologies are helping HR teams to eliminate gender biases. Rajni…

The Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) study by the Economist Intelligent Unit (EIU) has found that the rate of inflation is at the fastest recorded over the past five years and has surpassed pre-pandemic levels rising by 3.5% year on year. The study, an annual staple for over 30 years,…

To raise awareness of women in the workplace and in honour of International Women’s Day on 8 March, HR Magazine will be running a series of features showcasing female leaders in the world of HR. We spoke to Natasha Doctor, Head of People, Deliveroo Singapore, to find out about her…

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) between 10 January and 21 January has found that 40% of companies were feeling adversely affected by the spate of emigration from the city and were losing key skilled talent from all sides. Larger organisations were reported as…

In April 2022, record numbers of Hong Kong’s population headed for the exit as the city’s ever-changing COVID rules proved to be the final straw. In February, almost 1% of the population left the city—both expatriates and locals. It is not just the people who are leaving, a majority of…

Bullhorn, a global recruitment software firm, has released its Global Recruitment Insights and Data (GRID) report on recruitment firms practices in the Asia Pacific region. The data – gathered from more than 4,000 recruitment professionals, has highlighted an accelerated adoption of digital transformation strategies for a second year in a…

Hays’ 2022 Asia Salary Guide has revealed that 87% of businesses in Asia Pacific plan to pay their employees a bonus this year. The guide also highlighted that eight in ten workers plan to look for a new job this year with 73% of respondents citing they are seeking better…

Employees under flexible or work from home arrangements are most productive in the morning than at other times throughout the day according to a survey conducted by Milieu Insight. Employees across the Asia region are productive for five to six hours per day with their most productive work happening between…

ECA International’s 2022 Location Ratings survey has ranked Singapore as the number one most liveable city for expats for a consecutive year. Meanwhile Hong Kong saw its rating slide to 77th place to be tied with Taipei in part due to its continued COVID-19 restrictions. The annual survey assesses 490…

Zinnov, a management consultancy and strategic advisory firm, has conducted a worldwide analysis that has identified global talent hotspots. The research was conducted across Asia Pacific, Europe and North & Latin America with the aim of identifying places that organisations can turn to build world-class Centres of Excellence (CoE). The…

According to the 2022 Workspace DEI Report by Culture Amp, only 27% of businesses with DEI initiatives know how to measure the effectiveness of such measures, whilst only 34% reported that they have sufficient resources to support their DEI initiatives. The report analysed data from over 2,100 companies and almost…

In the world of work, having a unique and differential organisational culture is advantageous to businesses and can help retain and attract staff.  A new whitepaper, the Global Employee Survey 2021 by Robert Walters, has indicated that traditional ‘corporate-culture-type’ organisations may lose out on in the war on talent unless…

The most recent Workmonitor Survey by Randstad has discovered that 73% of respondents in Hong Kong rank compensation and benefits as the most important factor that influences their career choices. The bi-annual survey highlights the workforce’s latest sentiments and perceptions of the local job market and was conducted across 34…

Cultivating an organisation’s culture is a key element in every HR professional’s role. In the past, it was much easier to facilitate in-person activities that helped build a sense of community amongst employees. As many workers transitioned to hybrid or remote ways of work, it has become much more challenging…

  The Hong Kong Labour Department has issued a warning to employers against dismissing their foreign domestic helpers (FDH) if they test positive for COVID-19. Employers who dismiss their FDH risk facing a HK$ 100,000 fine and being banned from hiring a new FDH. The Labour Department stance comes after…

We have all been there, browsing our LinkedIn feeds looking to move up the corporate ladder. Imagine this, you narrow your new job search down to two listings; a relatively unknown start-up paying HK$ 1.5 million per year with a string of benefits or a well-known corporation that does not…

Dropsuite has appointed Frederique van de Poll as its new Global Head of Human Resources to be stationed in Singapore. Van de Poll will oversee the company’s global HR operations as well as driving the company’s talent expansion. “I’m very excited about this new journey with a wonderful team,” shared…

Employee mental health matters now more than ever. The risk of ignoring employee disengagement and mental well-being is far too great for organisations. Many business leaders may choose to ignore negative emotions and feedback in their workplaces whether due to social stigma, culture or unwilling resolve. As a result, maintaining…

A recent Inclusive Index Report by Equality Group, supported by Equilibrium has released a list of Asia Pacific’s most inclusive employers. CLP Group was named as Hong Kong’s most inclusive employer and the fourth most inclusive employer in the region. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing came second and Hang Seng…

Communication bans or policies that restrict out-of-hours communication can help alleviate employees from the stress of being always available. Several jurisdictions across the globe including Portugal, Belgium and France have given employees the legal right to disconnect, giving workers better work-life balance and companies a competitive edge when it comes…

According to the latest labour force statistics from the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), Hong Kong’s employment rate as of the end of January 2022, remains unchanged from the previous quarter at 3.9%. Unemployment levels remain at their lowest levels since the onset of the pandemic though, the Labour Department…

New data released by the U.S. Federal Government has shown that women disproportionately fall behind men when it comes to re-entering the workforce post-pandemic. Between January 2020 to January 2022, 1.1 million left the workforce, accounting for 63% of all jobs lost during the period. Whilst male workers have recouped…

The Belgian government has announced that the European nation’s workers may soon be able to opt for a four-day week under a series of labour reforms. The proposed amendments will also give workers the right to disconnect after hours without fear of reprisal. Additionally, workers in the gig economy will…

What Hong Kong employers can do to recruit and retain staff As the number of businesses and employees indicating their departure from Hong Kong remains high, there are concerns that the numbers of employees exiting the city, combined with the lack of new arrivals will lead to a talent shortage…

  As more enterprises embrace hybrid models of working, they are witnessing how it can empower businesses and employees to be more productive whilst making considerable benefits to the planet and profits. A new white paper by International Workplace Group (IWG) has forecasted an accelerated adoption of the hybrid working…

Travel service provider Trip.com Group has announced that it will implement a global hybrid work model, giving employees the option to work remotely from 1 March. With the launch of the new policy, Trip.com becomes one of the first internet companies in mainland China to implement a hybrid work model.…

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey (LVMH) Group, the global luxury fashion conglomerate, has announced the appointment of Stephane Voyer as Senior Vice-President Human Resources of Parfum Christian Dior, effective February 16 2022. Voyer will report directly to the President and CEO of Parfum Christian Dior, Laurent Kleitman, and will be a…

The quarterly CIPD Labour Market Outlook report has indicated that UK based employers continue to face a shortage of workers with the net employment balance being driven to near all-time high levels lead by the private sector. The high demand for talent against the low supply has prompted many employers…

Moderna announced yesterday its expansion plans in the Asia Pacific region with four new subsidiaries to be established in Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. The development signifies Moderna’s commitment to Asia and will provide support to the region in the delivery of its vaccines and therapeutics. The Asia-Pacific region…

CWT, the travel management platform, has appointed Karen Farrell as Senior Vice President, Global Talent & Total Rewards. In this role, Karen and her team will develop and lead talent acquisition and talent management strategies, as well as spearhead the company’s learning and development, compensation, and benefits efforts. “Karen’s breadth…

The idea of a 4-day workweek has been a hot topic of discussion for businesses across the globe, with a few notable companies making this transition. In places such as the US, UK, New Zealand and even Japan, household names including Microsoft, Shake Shack, Morrisons and Unilever have trialled longer…

A study by Instant Offices has revealed that a third of workers across Asia including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore have felt burnt-out over the past two years as a growing number of workers struggled to find work-life balance whilst working from home. According to the World Health…

Nexford University, the Washington D.C.-based next-generation university platform, has announced the launch of its global mentorship program – the ‘Global Grid’ which aims to develop talent and promote the personal, professional, and social success of learners worldwide. The program launch coincides with Nexford’s third anniversary. Co-founded in 2019 by CEO…

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MoH) announced in a press conference that employees will not be required to be certified COVID-19 by GPs to return to the workplace. The change notes that employees will be able to exit isolation and resume normal activities once they have tested negative on a self-administered…

Deloitte’s 7th iteration of its Women in the boardroom: A global perspective report has highlighted an average of 11.7% of board seats in Asia are now held up by women—an increase of 2.4% from 2019, whilst the number of women that are board chairs and in C-Suite positions have also…

  The Top Employers Institute has honoured all Deutsche Post DHL Group divisions for outstanding employee conditions DHL Global Forwarding, Freight and DHL Express certified as Top Employer Global 2022 Business and HR strategy as well as leadership culture highly valued Board Member for HR Thomas Ogilvie: “Our dedicated team…

Musculoskeletal conditions were found to be the costliest disease for multinationals. Almost half (48%) of the total amount paid under the MSK category was for chronic issues. On average, MSK related procedures cost businesses US$ 629 compared to an average of US$ 615 for all other conditions. A major report…

A new survey by Milieu Insight—which asked hiring decision-makers across Southeast Asia on their perceptions of ‘job-hoppers,’ has found that, in general, attitudes are more neutral than they are negative. The survey—conducted across Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines, and Indonesia included both employees and hiring decision-makers. The latest findings…

How a Hong Kong retailer stays agile through supportive HR communications and technology Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (CTFJ) is a stalwart of Hong Kong high streets with a reputation as an ideas leader, ready to put technology to work for its goals. With 30,000 staff and a major manufacturing operation…

Key Changes A city-wide ‘vaccine pass’ will launch on 24 February covering a total of 23 workplaces including cinemas, restaurants, malls, wet markets, department stores and supermarkets. Unvaccinated employees can be terminated after the pass introduction if they are unable to carry out their duties at one of the covered…

Australia announced yesterday (7 February) that it will fully reopen its borders to fully vaccinated visa holders including business travellers, tourists and other visitors from 21 February. The reopening comes as welcome news for many sectors including international businesses. “If you’re double vaccinated, we look forward to welcoming you back,”…

The Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management (HKIHRM) announced the appointment of Ms Kandy Lui as Executive Director effective 1 February. Ms Margaret Cheng, JP, President of HKIHRM commented on the appointment, “Kandy has been with the Institute for nearly ten years. In her previous position as Head of…

According to the New Climate Institute’s 2022 report— the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor, only 3 of 25 global companies surveyed are committing to deep decarbonisation across 90% of their full value chain emissions, whilst others are failing to change quickly enough. The report analysed the firms’ publicly stated environmental strategies…

The Hong Kong Government has announced that the online application system for the subsidy scheme for beauty parlours, massage establishments and party rooms is open for applications from 9 am 7 February until 11.59 pm on 20 February. Funds are being made available under the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic…

Sodexo, a leader in food service and facilities management, proudly announced that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation ’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Sodexo joins the ranks of…

CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, has appointed Rachael Sullivan as Vice President, Human Resources. Based in Minneapolis and reporting to Consuelo Corridori, CWT’s Senior Vice President of HR, Rachael will be the global HR business partner for CWT’s Finance and Commercial teams, helping them to further strengthen their…

Reuters/Bloomberg Bank of America Corp. is looking at moving its staff from Hong Kong to Singapore as the territory’s strict dynamic Zero COVID approach is forcing the business to review its operations according to the Financial Times. According to a source close to the bank, The U.S. based banking giant…

Enhancing ESG performance will help companies retain employees-Health and well-being become top priority during pandemic As the global trend of sustainable investing continues to grow, ESG has become a buzzword worldwide. Mojodomo Holdings Limited (“Mojodomo”), a global engagement marketing and e-commerce platform released a white paper titled “Asia’s Workforce Awakens…

HR Magazine is delighted to once again be a proud media partner of the 2022 Community Business Awards. Community Business, a leading not-for-profit organisation advancing responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia, is bringing all their award schemes together under the banner of the 2022 Community Business Awards. Building on their…

JobsDB’s latest survey and job ads data both indicated that the local job market has seen an anticipated spike from Q4 2021, and is expected to be more active after Chinese New Year. According to the latest job advertisement data, the total number of job advertisements has increased by over…

Manulife Hong Kong has announced the senior appointments of Wilton Kee as Chief Financial Officer and Danny Lee as Chief Product Officer to strengthen the company’s leadership capabilities and drive its strategic initiatives. With talent development a key focus in 2022, the announcement underscores Manulife Hong Kong’s ongoing mission to…

The recently released AmCham HK 2022 Business Sentiment Survey report has highlighted concerns that a number of its members in Hong Kong are facing. The report has detailed key areas that its members believe that Hong Kong needs to address in order for it to maintain its competitive edge -two…

When Twitter recently named its new CEO, Parag Agrawal, it joined an elite club of prominent US organisations to have a South Asian in a prominent leadership position. Twitter now joins the ranks of Adobe, Alphabet, Citigroup and Microsoft who have placed South Asians into senior leadership positions. Tender Steps…

From Willis Tower Watson, Singapore, January 2022 Two in five employers are projecting higher salary budgets for 2022. Fueled by tight labour markets and the rise in inflation this year, employers in Asia Pacific (APAC) are boosting their salary increase projections for 2022 according to the latest Salary Budget Planning…

From Mastercard, Singapore, January, 2022 Mastercard announced that Safdar Khan has been named Division President for Southeast Asia. This appointment is an expansion of his former role as Division President, Southeast Asia Emerging Markets. A 15-year veteran of Mastercard, Khan’s previous role saw him building business momentum with an assertive…

Asia’s leading cities set a new precedent for digital upskilling The recent Emerging Job and Skills report from Singapore’s NTUC LearningHub has shed light on the profound effect that digitalisation is having on its workforce; forcing them to upskill. Both employers and employees were asked for their perspectives regarding the…

How a people-focused financial titan is powering through challenging times As a leading Hong Kong company, with over two thousand employees and intrinsically connected with corporate practice and conditions, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) is a handy barometer of the city’s business ecosystem. Since 2019, Paul Choi, the Group…

From Johnny Choi & Xu Zhou, DLA Piper Following the introduction of the three-child policy on 31 May 2021 and the release of the amended national family planning regulations in August, more than 20 provinces and cities in China amended local family planning rules. These rules extended maternity leave and…

HR Magazine Awards 2021 # 100s of applications # Almost 10,000 votes # Two overnighters by the HR Magazine team # One beautiful HR Magazine Awards Special Supplement Thank you to everyone who entered the Awards, and all those who voted for the winners, and thank you to the HR…

Over a third of the expat workforce (37%) are more likely to relocate to their home country, according to a new report based on the Cigna 360 Well-Being survey which spoke to over 18,000 people from around the world. However, despite the homeward drift from those who live overseas, COVID-19…

Lewis has over 15 years’ experience working with multinational organisations and implementing global employee benefits programmes. He joined MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) in 2016. The international employee benefits joint venture between MetLife and AXA, recently announced that Lewis will become its global Head of Business Development. Hel will…

Hiring managers need to get on the phone quickly, as a surge in talent demand sees sought-after candidates receiving at least two offers.  1.7% salary increment in 2022, 0.9% higher YoY 32% of companies express interest in more hires, up 18% from 2021 46% of companies are cautiously optimistic towards…

HR Magazine Awards 2021 # 11 brilliant HR/HR vendor categories # 100s of applications # Two overnighters by the Judges to shortlist the submissions # One beautiful HR Magazine Awards Special Supplement Thank you to everyone who entered the Awards, please see below to know who have been shortlisted HR…

Mattias Loxi, Co-founder, Cinode Consulting industry record-breaking growth, with one-third of listed consulting companies growing by over 20% and median company turnover increases of 13.4%, compared to 2020, according to Cinode’s latest report. “The skills gap in the consulting industry remains significant and is at risk of becoming greater. Although…

2022 looks set to be a highly competitive employment landscape in Hong Kong, according to the 2022 Market Outlook & Salary Snapshot just released by Randstad, that takes a detailed look at the city’s economic climate and recruitment trends. “The developments and business trends all point towards increasing demand for…

Over half of under-30s more likely to enter non-traditional work as a result of the pandemic A third of full-time workers more likely to participate in non-traditional work following the pandemic Half employees say better benefits would make them more likely to consider non-traditional work 79% in non-traditional and part-time…

A 3.2% average salary hike is predicted next year in Hong Kong, 0.7% higher than in 2021. After factoring in inflation, the real salary increase in Hong Kong will be 1.1%, which is almost double the real increase seen in 2021. Yet, Hong Kong still lags behind many other Asian…

Since the end of 2020, webinars have increased by 162% and in the UK alone, searches for ‘webinars’ have seen a 110% increase during the same period. This according to research by ON24 Benchmarks covering over 2,000 organisations. COVID-19 has led to a boom in popularity for webinars. As companies…

You may read the phrase “imposter syndrome” and be surprised that there’s a term for something you feel without realising it’s a common thing. Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough for the career you have? Do you doubt yourself and feel like an imposter in the workplace?…

Rental Reimbursements (RR) provide HR and employees with a tax-efficient means of remuneration. RR is where the employer reimburses the rent paid by an employee on their place of residence. Employers are able to leverage RR to help them provide market-competitive remuneration to attract, retain and incentivise staff. By allocating…

Why using a single partner for payroll, accounting and tax services enhances efficiency, compliance and minimises risks. The challenge Brocade, a US tech company specialising in storage networking products, is one of an increasing number of organisations today grappling with multi-vendor challenges. With a small in-house team of accountants based…

Hong Kong’s employment market continues to improve, and the latest unemployment rate from July to September has declined 0.2 percentage points from the previous period to just 4.5%. This is the lowest unemployment rate in the last one and a half years. Moreover, since the beginning of 2021, unemployment has…

Across Generations: Difficult Dialogue and Crucial Conversations In the end, the research showed it comes down to communication, or more specifically, a willingness to ‘listen with the intention of learning’. Are both parties, in good faith, looking for a solution or are they looking to ‘win’? Sam Bobertz, certified Workplace…

Talent looking for WFH flexibility in future Less than half employees receive support they expect from employers New tools required to navigate changed world of work Sentiment and practices around work have changed significantly over the past year, and the latest Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey: The State of Work report shows that…

  Great Place to Work® and Fortune announced the Fortune World’s Best Workplaces™ 2021. The surveys cover 19.8 million employee opinions worldwide in which organisations are assessed on their efforts to create great workplaces and positively impact people and communities across multiple countries around the world. Winners have demonstrated their success in creating great workplaces…

New rider initiatives at Deliveroo include the launch of a personal safety app Busby, training courses on scooter road safety, Red Cross First-Aid Training and a Weekly Safety Content Calendar From October 2021, Deliveroo Hong Kong will recognise the month of October as ‘Rider Safety Month’, raising awareness towards on-road…

From car workshops to contemporary workspaces, Kwun Tong’s transformation We sipped our lattes in Pret and watched the eclectic mix of nationalities funnelling through the spacious lobby of The Quayside, which houses one of JP Morgan’s three main Hong Kong offices. Anyone could guess we were in the heart of…

Soon after I arrived in Hong Kong, I obtained a special “Border Closed Permit”, which allowed me access to the sleepy village of Lin Ma Hang nestled in the border closed area beyond the Macintosh Cathedrals that dot the Hong Kong hills in the Northernmost New Territories and right next…