How local employers help working parents cope with the sudden school suspension

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Human Resources Magazine talked to some of the biggest employers in Hong Kong on how they support employees, in light of the urgent government suspension of all primary schools and kindergartens.

BT

BT continuously looks for opportunities to promote a family-friendly working environment including the recent launch of its 16 week paid maternity leave policy across Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

“Flexible working is much more than who sits at which desk and embraces multiple workstyles including mobile, home-based and in-office flexible working. BT laptops are securely connected to the company network and staff can work remotely in a secure and efficient manner. Other BT solutions such as BT Dolby Meet-Me and our video conferencing solutions ensure that our staff can engage in high-quality communication with colleagues and customers no matter where they are,” said Usha Baidya, vice president, human resources, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, BT.

Hang Lung Properties

In response to the early Chinese New Year holidays for kindergartens and primary schools arrangement announced by the Education Bureau on 7 February 2018, Hang Lung Properties has provided various measures to support our working parents.

"If needed, employees may take leave with short notice or work from home for taking care of their children. In addition, we have a counselling hotline that provides professional support and advice to our employees when they encounter any personal or family issues. While we have comprehensive medical coverage and health check plans for our employees, we also offer our employees and their family members preventive vaccination program as a preventive measure to pre-empt the outbreak of flu," said Janet Poon, general manager – human resources, Hang Lung Properties.

HKBN Group

Starting 8 February until Chinese New Year Eve (15 February) HKBN Group is encouraging its talent to consider working from home.

"This measure will give talents greater work arrangement flexibility to care for their children and families. To work from home, HKBN talents only need to obtain approval from their respective supervisors," said HKBN head of talent engagement & corporate social investment and co-owner CY Chan.

Maintaining its implementation of the ‘mobile office’ arrangement, HKBN allows talents to work from home according to their needs.  The group is also advising talents who feel unwell to rest at home as a precautionary move to prevent further spread of the disease.

Microsoft Hong Kong

The technology giant is leveraging on its prowess in technology to helping working parents find the balance between career and family.

"We have a series of empowerment policies to help working parents, including flexible working options, enhanced family care leave, fully equipped mother’s room etc. All these are enabled by the culture of trust and our Cloud technology. With the recent decision by the Education Bureau to start the Chinese New Year holiday earlier for kindergartens and primary schools, our employees can continue to leverage the existing flexible working options to help them to manage the situation," said Maria Hui HR director, Microsoft Hong Kong.

Microsoft provides all the equipment and cloud infrastructure required and make it no difference for employees to work at home or in the office.  With the support from managers, employees can choose to work from home and to adjust their working hours to assist them.

Schneider Electric

The recent decision by the education bureau presents an opportunity for managers and employees to leverage the new global family leave policy which was launched on 1 January 2018 at Schneider Electric.

"The policy includes new care leave to support employees who need time off for immediate family members who are critically ill or need special care.  In addition to the existing flexible work hours policy, Schneider Electric Hong Kong has also implemented the new telecommuting arrangement on 1 January, 2018. It allows our employees to work from home to support family matters," explained Eva Iu, human resources director, Schneider Electric Hong Kong