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With a clear focus on wellbeing, flexibility, and genuine connection, PlayFACTO by Funworks Group has built an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and ready to grow together.
PlayFACTO by Funworks Group’s winning HR initiative began with a clear commitment to understand its people, their goals, challenges, and need for balance. During a period of operational strain, the team recognised that resilience begins with people, not processes. This led to the development of a holistic programme focused on empowerment, flexibility, and inclusion.
The direction proved right when the organisation saw renewed motivation, stronger trust in leadership, and deeper engagement across teams.
The journey was not without obstacles. One of the biggest challenges surfaced in the form of resistance to new approaches to flexibility and empowerment. Some employees were unsure about altering established routines. To address this, the team focused on open communication and active listening. Through small group discussions and feedback sessions, employees were able to voice their views, allowing the initiative to grow through shared insight. This inclusive approach turned hesitation into ownership, strengthening trust and collaboration throughout the organisation.
At the HR Excellence Awards 2025, Singapore, PlayFACTO by Funworks Group walked away with two awards:
- Bronze for 'Excellence in Hybrid Working', and
- Bronze for 'Excellence in Crisis Management Planning'.
In this interview, Karren Batara, Administration & Human Resource Senior Executive, highlights the belief that trust must come first, allowing strategy and results to take shape naturally.
Q Tell us about your inspiring HR initiative – what sparked the idea, and how did you know it was the right path to take?
Our initiative stemmed from a genuine commitment to understanding our people, their goals, challenges, and desire for balance. At Funworks Group, we recognised that sustainable success is built on the well-being and adaptability of our teams.
During a period of operational strain, it became clear that resilience begins with people, not processes. This realisation sparked the creation of a holistic programme focused on empowerment, flexibility, and inclusion. We knew it was the right direction when we saw renewed motivation, stronger trust in leadership, and deeper engagement across teams. The initiative proved that when we prioritise people’s growth and happiness, we cultivate an organisation capable of thriving through any challenge.
Q Every journey has its ups and downs – can you share a challenge your team faced and how you worked through it together?
One of our biggest challenges was overcoming initial resistance to change. Many employees were cautious about new approaches to flexibility and empowerment, worried it might disrupt established routines. We addressed this by prioritising open communication and active listening. Through small group discussions and feedback sessions, we refined the initiative based on authentic employee input. This inclusive process transformed hesitation into ownership, as people felt genuinely heard and involved.
Over time, trust deepened, engagement increased, and collaboration flourished. The experience taught us that meaningful change is most powerful when co-created, when people are not just participants but partners in shaping the future.
Q What impact has this initiative had on your organisation so far, and what do you hope it inspires in the wider HR community?
The initiative has created a more engaged, resilient, and purpose-driven workforce. We’ve observed marked improvements in collaboration, morale, and overall productivity, as employees feel genuinely valued and supported. More importantly, it redefined HR’s role at Funworks Group, from being process-driven to truly people-centred. This shift has fostered a culture where empathy and performance coexist, driving both individual fulfilment and organisational success. We hope our experience inspires the wider HR community to view employee well-being as a strategic priority, not an afterthought.
When HR leads with heart and authenticity, it proves that compassion and high performance are not opposites, but powerful partners in progress.
Q Looking back, is there a moment, person, or value that kept you and your team motivated throughout the journey?
What kept us motivated were the heartfelt moments when employees shared how our initiatives helped them rediscover balance, motivation, and joy in their work.
These stories reminded us of our purpose, to create meaningful impact through care and connection. Our core values of empathy, integrity, and collaboration guided us through challenges, ensuring that every decision remained people-first. Seeing real, positive change in our colleagues’ lives reaffirmed our belief that HR’s greatest role is to nurture potential and foster belonging. Those moments of gratitude and renewed energy were our constant source of motivation and pride.
Q If you could offer one golden nugget of wisdom to HR professionals aiming for excellence, what would it be?
My golden nugget for HR professionals is simple: listen with intent and lead with authenticity. True transformation doesn’t start with policies, it starts with understanding people’s lived experiences. When employees feel genuinely heard and valued, they become active partners in driving success. Build trust first then strategy and results will follow naturally.
Excellence in HR isn’t about managing systems; it’s about shaping cultures where people can flourish. Always remember: our greatest legacy is not in the programmes we design but in the human connections we foster and the lives we positively transform through empathy and purpose.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Photos / Provided
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