Is having a caring employer important to you when looking for a new job? Today, many organizations consider well-being initiatives as a way of keeping employees happy and motivated. Research has demonstrated that asking questions about whether employees have a good work–life balance and understanding how to promote well-being more generally is fundamental to productivity.
The Kedah Industrial Skills and Management Development Centre (KISMEC) in Malaysia is an example of how that has been achieved. Founded in March 1993, the small to medium enterprise provides training and development activities to employees in the industrial sector across 12 training centers in the country. It focuses on knowledge creation, creativity, skills enhancement, technology, and improving excellence and competency with their staff and trainers.

To retain talent, the company has recognized the need to put the well-being of its employees first and feels responsible for ensuring that the workforce is motivated.
KISMEC has introduced various initiatives to support employee well-being. One example they have implemented is introducing a management “open door” policy, which gives employees easy access to senior staff at any time to provide feedback, suggestions, and raising queries or concerns. To support their diverse workforce, KISMEC has also recognized the needs of young mothers, introducing lactation rooms that provide flexibility for new mums to decide when to express milk, whether at home or in the workplace. In addition, they have also considered staff religious requirements by setting up a surau (a place of worship), that can be accessed during the hours of work. The organization plans to develop its well-being strategy further to include fitness activities and staff-and-family fun days.
According to Mohd Yusuri, the director of KISMEC, there is a strong link between the type of initiatives undertaken by KISMEC and the staff motivation and loyalty. He believes that providing holistic care for employees helps in retaining experienced staff along with their skills and expertise, whilst reducing absenteeism.
As a result, its commitment to staff welfare, KISMEC received a special mention at Malaysia’s Talentcorp Life at Work awards in 2018. KISMEC continues to strive to be an employer that people will want to work for not only to earn a suitable wage but also to feel that they are a valued, nurtured and a respected member of the KISMEC family.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

16-1. What are the motivational theories that can be related to the approach KISMEC has adopted?
16-2. Research and list what other companies are doing to improve the well-being of employees. Are these good initiatives?
16-3. How can KISMEC measure whether their approaches to motivation are working?
16-4. Do you think it is easier to motivate employees in small to medium enterprises such as KISMEC?