| Written by Riya Malhotra Singapore’s workforce is rapidly adapting to change, but hiring systems are struggling to keep pace, according to new research from Indeed. The findings highlight a growing disconnect between employee priorities and employer assumptions. While 59% of employees cite salary, stability, and work-life balance as critical when evaluating roles, employers significantly underestimate these factors, placing them below 30%. Entry-level roles are emerging as

| Written by Riya Malhotra Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in HR functions across Southeast Asia, but organisations are struggling to scale its impact, according to a new study by ETHRWorld Southeast Asia & SAP SuccessFactors. The report finds that 75% of organisations are already using AI in HR, signalling a clear shift from experimentation to mainstream adoption. At the same time, 65% expect AI budgets to increase in 2026, reflecting its growing role as

| Written by Riya Malhotra The latest World Happiness Report places Singapore at 36 th and Malaysia at 71 st globally, offering a closer look at how wellbeing is shaping workforce expectations across both markets. While Nordic countries continue to lead the rankings, the positions of Singapore and Malaysia highlight a more nuanced reality in Southeast Asia. Both markets continue to perform economically, yet the rankings suggest that broader factors influencing life satisfac

| Written by Riya Malhotra A new global study by Intellect points to the rise of “job-hugging,” a trend where employees are choosing to stay in their roles for stability, even as engagement levels lag behind improvements in productivity and wellbeing. According to the latest Workplace Wellbeing 360 Report, organisations are seeing encouraging gains. Mental wellbeing scores recorded their strongest year-on-year increase, alongside a steady rise in productivity. However, employ

In a world shaped by speed, AI, and constant change, Nitin Goil, Founder, Restoration Labs, reflects on why restoring trust, dignity, and human connection is becoming the real measure of leadership and performance. | April 2026 Edition The Happiness Perspective Toxicity often begins with silence, not conflict Culture is shaped in everyday behaviours, not big initiatives AI must enhance transparency, not reduce it Leadership courage builds dignity and trust Engagement must le

Ku Sim Ling, popularly known as AuntyHR™, is an HR influencer, former Corporate Services Director, and industry voice with 20+ years of experience, making workplace topics engaging, accessible, and refreshingly honest. | April 2026 Edition Happiness Takeaways At a Glance Culture lives beyond policies, in everyday human behaviour Not every issue requires intervention; judgement matters Influence often works better than authority in leadership challenges Early signs of disengag

Elevision Media’s WOW Workplaces Gold Certification is not just a recognition, it is a reflection of a workplace where culture, leadership, and employee experience come together to create an environment people genuinely want to be part of. | April 2026 Edition In today’s evolving world of work, becoming an employer of choice is no longer about policies on paper or isolated initiatives. It is about building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired, consist

In industries where impact is often unseen, Pauline Loo, Senior Vice President, Human Resource, Nippon Sanso Holdings Singapore, shares how Nippon Sanso helps employees stay connected to purpose, fosters collaboration across regions, and builds a culture grounded in trust and continuous improvement. | April 2026 Edition Happiness At a Glance Purpose becomes clearer when impact is consistently communicated Safety and innovation can coexist with the right cultural balance Share

In an era where talent is the ultimate differentiator, Daythree Digital Berhad is turning employee experience into a measurable, competitive edge | April 2026 Edition Happiness Takeaways Design employee experience intentionally: Structure and measurement drive consistency at scale. Leverage modern hiring channels: social media can deliver both reach and real business impact. Make learning measurable: 90%+ satisfaction is achieved through relevance and outcomes. Humanise sc

Dr. Danny Wong, Founder & Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences, shares with Employee Happiness Daily how the organisation is building a purpose-driven culture where patient impact, innovation, and people development come together in meaningful ways. | April 2026 Edition The Happiness Perspective Purpose becomes powerful when it is visible Innovation works best when paired with responsibility Internal growth strengthens cultural continuity Learning builds both skill and co

Naaman Lee, Chief Operating Officer, explores how JurisTech built a high-performance AI lending tech culture where innovation, compliance, and people-first values come together to drive meaningful impact across the financial ecosystem. | April 2026 Edition The Happiness Perspective Innovation thrives within clear guardrails Real-world impact drives deeper motivation Diverse thinking fuels stronger solutions Culture must scale without losing care Speed works best when balanced

Cheng Jie Sheng , CEO, Macross Consultancy (M) Sdn Bhd shares how the firm nurtures a high-performance culture while ensuring employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow in a fast-paced consulting environment. | April 2026 Edition The Happiness Perspective Clear benchmarks create accountability Mentorship drives long-term growth Knowledge sharing builds adaptability Strong communication keeps teams agile Fun and bonding strengthen collaboration Flexibility support

Serene Toh , Senior Director – Human Resources, Razer Inc., shares how the company channels its gaming DNA into a high-performance culture, balancing speed, innovation, and employee growth across a global workforce. | April 2026 Edition Happiness Perspective • Passion-led cultures create energy and ownership • Clarity of priorities reduces pressure and improves performance • Shared outcomes build unity across global teams • Real work accelerates meaningful learning and growth

Ir. Dr. Kwadwo “Joe” K. Ansah-Antwi , CEO & Founder, BioMetallica Pte Ltd talks about building a people-first deep-tech culture, and how contribution-based leadership keep teams motivated in a fast-growing scientific organisation. | April 2026 Edition Ir. Dr. Kwadwo “Joe” K. Ansah-Antwi, CEO & Founder, BioMetallica Pte Ltd At BioMetallica, innovation is closely tied to the company’s environmental mission. As Joe explains, “innovation and purpose are inseparable because the pr

| April 2026 Edition Happiness Takeaways Purpose fuels performance Flexibility with structure wins Inclusion in action, not intent Wellbeing built into the system Local ideas, global impact At a time when organisations are still defining what employee happiness truly means, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) is already living it, through purpose-led culture, inclusive action, and deeply human workplace design. Across its APAC operations, with Singapore at the he

| April 2026 Edition It rarely starts in a boardroom. More often, it begins in conversations, a leader choosing to listen a little more closely, a team being given the space to speak up, a decision being made with people, not just performance, in mind. Across APAC, these moments are quietly shaping the workplaces we admire today. Behind them are HR leaders who are doing far more than managing functions. They are building cultures from the inside out, guiding organisations thr

| April 2026 Edition A Movement Born from a Vision In a world that is constantly redefining the meaning of work, one truth has steadily risen above the rest: organizations that prioritize people, thrive. The Employee Happiness Awards (EHA) was born at a time when this belief was beginning to take shape at a national level. In Dubai, under the forward-thinking Happiness Agenda, the idea of embedding wellbeing into governance, workplaces, and everyday life was no longer aspir

Dr Christina Tiong, Chief Executive Officer, Home Nursing Foundation, shares how the organisation nurtures resilience, compassion, and wellbeing among teams delivering deeply personal care in community settings. | April 2026 Edition Happiness Perspective • Wellbeing support must be holistic, practical, and continuous • Compassionate care starts with emotionally supported teams • Autonomy works best when balanced with strong team connection • Purpose alone is not enough, cons

Ruth Kerr, Head of People & Culture, PropertyGuru Group, shares how the organisation balances agility and purpose, helping employees stay connected, engaged, and inspired in a fast-evolving digital ecosystem. | April 2026 Edition Happiness Perspective • Purpose anchors employees through constant change • Continuous learning builds confidence in uncertain environments • Shared experiences strengthen belonging across geographies • Customer stories connect daily work to real im