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Finding purpose and unity through doing good together

At HP Singapore and Illumina Singapore, employees strengthen their bond by giving their best for others in support of SG Cares Giving Week.

Finding purpose and unity through doing good together

Charities and social businesses engaged Illumina employees at the firm’s Singapore Giving Week marketplace. Staff purchased crafts and donated to fundraising campaigns in support of charitable causes. Photo: Illumina

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At biotechnology company Illumina Singapore, employees have shaved their heads, taken part in charity runs, picked up trash at Marina Reservoir, and participated in bake-offs – all in the name of doing good, together.

The Illumina Singapore Giving Week marketplace – held this year on Nov 29 and 30 at the company’s Woodlands Singapore Hub – is one of the most highly-anticipated annual events at the firm. Featuring seven charities and social businesses presenting their causes through interactive booths and activities, the marketplace saw long queues even before its official opening.

“Close to 400 employees participated in the event and many donated and purchased items from our partners,” recounted Ms Dorothy Wong, Illumina’s vice-president of Human Resources, Asia Pacific.

As a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore), Illumina is one of over 50 companies that has been connected to giving opportunities as part of SG Cares Giving Week. The annual campaign sees individuals, organisations and leaders donate, fundraise, volunteer and advocate for good causes.

These connections were borne out of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) during the AmCham50 Birthday Bash in September, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of AmCham in Singapore. The MOU established AmCham as a strategic partner to NVPC’s Company of Good programme, and reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating a purpose-driven movement among business organisations.

Mr Tony Soh, CEO of NVPC, said, “This partnership between AmCham and NVPC reflects our shared commitment to galvanise more companies to become a force for good in society, thriving and growing alongside the communities in which they operate. With business networks like AmCham mobilising their members to become more active in the giving ecosystem, companies can do well while doing good and contribute to building a stronger and more united Singapore.”

Dr Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO of AmCham Singapore, noted that the American business values of transparency, fairness, diversity, equity and inclusion were all part of a values-driven culture. This approach prioritises doing good and doing right, while doing well: “Our member companies amplify their social impact through AmCham by coming together to identify a common purpose and goals,” said Dr Lei. “With NVPC, we look forward to finding new ways to contribute to the Forward Singapore agenda through caring for those in need.”

MULTIPLYING THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEES GIVING BACK

HP Singapore staff have contributed over 12,000 volunteering hours in 2023 in support of the elderly, low-income families and people with disabilities. Photo: HP Singapore

At AmCham member HP Singapore, giving is an ongoing journey. Helping employees take the first step is key to building a shared culture of giving. “We have outreach activities planned for the entire year to try and help as many beneficiaries as possible, while creating as many opportunities as possible for employees to volunteer,” said Ms Fiona Lee, HP Singapore’s managing director. “This past year, we’ve worked closely to support the causes of over 50 non-governmental organisations that positively impact the lives of the elderly, low-income families and people with disabilities.”

HP employees have contributed over 12,000 volunteering hours this year. Over 1,000 have participated in at least one activity, with the average being three-and-a-half volunteer hours per employee for the year.

Mr Chiang Zhen Hao, an omnichannel sales specialist and co-chair of the company’s Singapore Social Impact Committee, said that activities were designed to be hands-on or skills-based, focused on pressing topics such as diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), digital equity and climate action. “Our employees are always very passionate when it comes to giving back,” he noted. “When we hold activities related to these topics, we usually have more volunteers than vacancies.”

He revealed that, buoyed by employees’ enthusiasm and the support of HP Singapore’s leadership, the committee has started planning for programmes and activities in 2024 that further engage community partners.

Illumina employees also share their experiences and highlight their favourite causes – such as cancer and oncology, STEM education, environmental sustainability and dementia – during November as part of the run-up to the company’s global #GivingTwosday campaign. This is held in conjunction with the international Giving Tuesday movement and SG Cares Giving Week.

Taking place between Nov 28 and Dec 4, every dollar donated by employees was matched 200 per cent, up to US$200,000 (S$265,000) in matching donations across the corporation. Additionally, Illumina employees enjoy US$10 of matching donations for every hour they volunteer year-round, and two days of paid time off to volunteer with the charities of their choice annually.

“On day four of the #GivingTwoday campaign, we achieved our goal of US$200,000 in matching donations, and US$300,000 (S$398,000) has been contributed to various charities worldwide,” said Ms Wong. “Before the end of 2023, our employees in Singapore raised close to US$100,000 in direct and matching donations and volunteered close to 3,800 hours.”

WHEN PURPOSE CREATES VALUE, FOR PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS

According to Ms Wong, Illumina’s employee giving and volunteering policies and programmes support the engagement and retention of staff, who find purpose in being empowered to contribute to the community.

“Cultivating a shared purpose sets the foundation for employees to be the best versions of themselves at work. It empowers them to drive purpose-driven outcomes in their personal and professional lives,” she explained. “This purpose-driven mindset then translates into every aspect of the work undertaken by our employees.”

In addition to helping build stronger employee connections and attracting new talents, Ms Lee of HP Singapore noted that doing good is key to effective corporate leadership.

“Customers today want to buy from companies they can trust, investors want long-term growth, and employees want to make an impact,” she said. “Because of our actions in positively impacting communities and in areas of sustainability for such a long time, we are recognised by our business partners and customers as a trusted brand that conducts business with uncompromising integrity, and a company of purpose.”

She recommends that organisations looking to adopt corporate purpose provide a platform for their employees to be enabled and empowered in giving, citing HP Singapore’s interest groups and business impact networks as useful resources for workers.

Ms Lee added: “I would also suggest working closely with community partners like NVPC to understand the needs of beneficiaries, so that resources, manpower, enabling devices and funding can all be put to good use.”

Enjoy 250 per cent tax deductions when your employees volunteer through the Corporate Volunteer Scheme.

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