Supporting the Mental and Physical Health of our Employees
Every office in each of our portfolios recognises the importance of ensuring the wellbeing of their employees. As such, our offices have created tailored programmes and campaigns which support mental and physical health in different and locally relevant ways.
We provide information to employees via the Company’s intranet, covering a range of topics relating to healthy work practices and office safety. We also conduct, on request, workstation assessments of our employees’ workstation ergonomics, screen illumination and visual comfort.
In addition, we provide counselling services and learning opportunities through our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers in-person counselling and 24-hour telephone support from relevant professionals. We also host regular events for our employees, such as luncheons and training sessions, to promote physical, mental and emotional wellness and work-life balance.
Maintaining employee health and wellbeing is an unvarying priority for us. During the COVID-19 pandemic, running our wellness programme in the usual fashion was a challenge. Despite this situation, it was important for our employees to continue to access and participate in the programme. Thus, we moved from conducting face-to-face workshops and sharing sessions to virtual sessions and activities. Interest club activities were incorporated into a wider wellness programme, making these activities accessible to all staff, not solely club members.
Highlights of Employee Wellness Programme 2020
The mental and physical health of our employees is always a top priority for us; and was particularly so during the pandemic. Throughout the year, we organised various virtual activities and sharing sessions to keep staff spirits up.
In Hong Kong, we ran a series of “Let’s Stay Fit@Home” one-minute exercise sessions; a “DIY Mask and Mask Keeper” workshop; and a “Mindful Mandala Coaster Making Workshop” where participants shared mental healing tips with each other.
At EAST Hong Kong, we ran a Global Wellness Month campaign between June and September 2020. Kicking off on Global Wellness Day, 13 June, the campaign featured various wellness-related events like a wellness social photo campaign, Health Food Month in July, and a number of wellness workshops designed to strengthen the physical and mental wellness of employees.
At The Upper House, we used the Global Wellness Day date to hold the “613 Challenge” for our employees. The 6-day long challenge asked our employees to walk 10,000 steps per day, go vegetarian for 3 meals or hold a plank for one minute on any 3 days, with those completing the challenge receiving a wellness pack. On Global Wellness Day itself, the team was given a wellness drink and several wellness tips.
In the Chinese mainland, at The Middle House, 12 employees representing every department joined the hotel’s Green Team. A “green wall” was set up in the staff corridor which listed numerous sustainability ideas and initiatives as well as a leaf painting created by employees.
The mental and physical health of our employees is always a top priority for us; and was particularly so during the pandemic. Throughout the year, we organised various virtual activities and sharing sessions to keep staff spirits up.
In Hong Kong, we ran a series of “Let’s Stay Fit@Home” one-minute exercise sessions; a “DIY Mask and Mask Keeper” workshop; and a “Mindful Mandala Coaster Making Workshop” where participants shared mental healing tips with each other.
At EAST Hong Kong, we ran a Global Wellness Month campaign between June and September 2020. Kicking off on Global Wellness Day, 13 June, the campaign featured various wellness-related events like a wellness social photo campaign, Health Food Month in July, and a number of wellness workshops designed to strengthen the physical and mental wellness of employees.
At The Upper House, we used the Global Wellness Day date to hold the “613 Challenge” for our employees. The 6-day long challenge asked our employees to walk 10,000 steps per day, go vegetarian for 3 meals or hold a plank for one minute on any 3 days, with those completing the challenge receiving a wellness pack. On Global Wellness Day itself, the team was given a wellness drink and several wellness tips.
In the Chinese mainland, at The Middle House, 12 employees representing every department joined the hotel’s Green Team. A “green wall” was set up in the staff corridor which listed numerous sustainability ideas and initiatives as well as a leaf painting created by employees.
New Staff Amenity Room at Taikoo Hui in Guangzhou
In June 2020, a new staff amenity room was launched at Taikoo Hui in Guangzhou, aiming to keep employees healthier, happier and more productive. The elaborately designed, smart tech-powered centre, called “SWITCH”, is equipped with various facilities for exercise and relaxation, including a gym, a self-serve bar, massage chair, video games and a darts board.
Employees can use a mobile app-based mini-programme to book a timeslot to use the gym, with access provided by scanning a QR code – reducing management costs and improving hygiene.
In June 2020, a new staff amenity room was launched at Taikoo Hui in Guangzhou, aiming to keep employees healthier, happier and more productive. The elaborately designed, smart tech-powered centre, called “SWITCH”, is equipped with various facilities for exercise and relaxation, including a gym, a self-serve bar, massage chair, video games and a darts board.
Employees can use a mobile app-based mini-programme to book a timeslot to use the gym, with access provided by scanning a QR code – reducing management costs and improving hygiene.
Welcoming New SPL Offices
In 2020, we opened two new Swire Properties offices in the Chinese mainland, at INDIGO in Beijing and Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu.
INDIGO
Swire Properties’ new Beijing office in ONE INDIGO, spread over more than 21,500 sq ft, embraces and embodies the Company’s SD philosophy:
- The office materials and furnishings are as environmentally-friendly as possible – the carpet, for example, is woven from recycled fishing nets.
- Old office furniture was donated to Baihe Town Middle School in Hebei Province.
- An advanced intelligent lighting system automatically adjusts ambient light according to the time of day and amount of natural daylight.
- All waste disposal receptacles require recyclables to be sorted.
Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu
The new office, opened at the end of 2020, operates on a “community concept” and includes collaborative areas that enable enhanced communication and engagement – for example staff workspaces with lower partitions and a cafeteria designed as a casual outdoor café. Other features include a nursery and a gym to enhance wellness and increase convenience. The new office is applying for a WELL Gold certification to solidify its environmental and people-friendly credentials.
In 2020, we opened two new Swire Properties offices in the Chinese mainland, at INDIGO in Beijing and Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu.
INDIGO
Swire Properties’ new Beijing office in ONE INDIGO, spread over more than 21,500 sq ft, embraces and embodies the Company’s SD philosophy:
- The office materials and furnishings are as environmentally-friendly as possible – the carpet, for example, is woven from recycled fishing nets.
- Old office furniture was donated to Baihe Town Middle School in Hebei Province.
- An advanced intelligent lighting system automatically adjusts ambient light according to the time of day and amount of natural daylight.
- All waste disposal receptacles require recyclables to be sorted.
Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu
The new office, opened at the end of 2020, operates on a “community concept” and includes collaborative areas that enable enhanced communication and engagement – for example staff workspaces with lower partitions and a cafeteria designed as a casual outdoor café. Other features include a nursery and a gym to enhance wellness and increase convenience. The new office is applying for a WELL Gold certification to solidify its environmental and people-friendly credentials.