Singapore - In the midst of economic doom and gloom, providing fun for employees doesn't always mean "expensive", says McDonald's, one of Hewitt's Best Employer in Asia 2009.

Eunice Lee, senior director of HR business partner for McDonald's Asia Pacific, says the economic crisis might have scaled down most companies' budgets, including hers. But it doesn't mean employers are stuck when it comes to engaging employees. Speaking at Hewitt's Best Employers Study yesterday, Lee says, "Fun doesn't have to mean expensive."

There's always room for creativity and simplicity. In McDonald's case, creative employee engagement starts from having a strong "people-first culture". Lee says, "Part of valuing our people is that we celebrate their successes. We thank them when they win awards."

To celebrate winning Best Employer 2009, the fast food chain recently sent out celebration cakes to over 100 outlets in Singapore. On other celebration occasions, it would also provide special lunches which are "something more than a McDonald's meal" for its employees.

Another initiative which McDonald's does very well, says Lee, is they would give out commemorative pins which are highly valued by the employees and they are very happy to receive them. She personally owns over 100 of these commemorative pins. "Really, how much can a simple pin cost?" She adds, "So highly valued, they might even be on Ebay now."