The Win-Win Strategy for
Individual and Organisational Development

In aligning with the challenging business environment and demanding customers, change is inevitable. Organisational development is as natural as growth in life, but changes in work make us feel insecure and uncertain of the future, which imposes stress on employees.

It is much easier to plan development in hardware, policies or technologies than it is to schedule changes to people. As "People" are the key to successful organisational growth, we have invited Mr. KT Lai, the Group Human Resources Manager - Remuneration and Benefits of CLP Holding Limited to share his experiences in establishing employee relationships and utilising the EAP programme to support and motivate employees to grow. That is the Win-win solution for individual growth and organisation development.

The Launch of EAP Services

Mr. Lai recalled the time when CLP was introducing the EAP service to its staff in 1994. "Owing to the closing of the Tsing Yi Power Station, the company had to redeploy staff to other work locations. We offered every employee the opportunity to be transferred to other department within the company. Besides, we were concerned about how this arrangement would impact our employees and the relationships with their families."

Family support is crucial to employees facing changes, who need to adapt to a new working environment with confidence. CLP put their trust in the EAP service in providing professional support to staff and their families impacted by the redeployment exercise in adapting to changes. Staff and families who can take a positive perspective can better understand the company's arrangements and feel more comfortable. This can help both the staff members and their families to accept change more easily.

Continuous Implementation

CLP has expanded their EAP service to all staff in the company. It is provided as a regular employee benefit programme in which all staff and family members can access the PPCC (Professional Personal Consultation and Counselling) service when necessary. Staff with any sort of issues (regardless of whether they arise from personal, family or work-related difficulties) can simply consult advice and seek counselling from professionals of the Employee Development Service (EDS). The staff can also have peace of mind that their meeting with the EAP consultant will be kept in the strictest confidence, thus they do not have to worry that certain details will be known by their company.

Mr Lai said, "To ensure every new staff understands the programme's benefits, we have been inviting the EAP consultant to introduce the programme to our new employees during staff orientation every month since 2004." Although traditional Chinese thinking is reluctant to seek outside help for any personal or family problems, CLP takes the initiative to actively promote EAP services to every corner of the office.

We Care about the Holistic Development of our People

"It is one of our core values: "Care for Our People". We are committed to fostering harmonious employee relations under an atmosphere of open communication, mutual understanding, trust and respect." Lai shared how they put such commitment into action, "We promote the employee relationship based on the principle that we treat them as a Human Being, that we respect them and keep an open ear to listen to them." CLP emphasizes two-way communication: details of recent business developments, company policies or operational changes are communicated clearly to employees and employees are encouraged to voice their opinions. The company respects every single voice, and ideas and suggestions from employees will be followed through.

In achieving its business vision of being a leading investor-operator in the Asia-Pacific electric power sector, CLP has had to overcome several challenges in a fast-changing business environment. Lai shared how they create synergy in the organisation, "The company has opted to openly share with its employees and invite them to face challenges by developing their individual competences." While every employee takes the initiative to grow and contribute, the company grows. CLP has set up platforms and resources for staff to develop their professional competence, by offering training sponsorship scheme and in-house programmes. The concern is for the holistic development of an individual. Since July this year, CLP has launched a Work-Life Balance Series.

Enhancing the Employee Relationship, Reducing the Work Stress

Mr. Lai said, "We promote voluntary work and emphasise that we have the responsibility to contribute to society. We also support our employees to care for their families." Every year, CLP organises Sports & Games Day and Safety Day at its power station for employees and their families. Through the workplace visit, the families get in touch with real life working environments, even wearing work uniforms, enabling them to experience work requirements and processes. "That can promote relationship building of the employees with their families. It is one of the best ways to help employees to release stress." Mr. Lai said.

Caring for the Employees in Change

In today's knowledge-based economy, human capital is an increasingly important element in defining a corporation's market value and leadership. EAP creates a Win-win solution for development of the individual and promotion of organisational growth.