Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI)

“This is an exciting time for SMEs.

Today, many digital and AI tools that were once only available to large organisations are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable for smaller businesses. For SMEs, this is a real opportunity to improve productivity and do things that previously required much larger teams and resources.

I believe one of the priorities for HR in the coming years will be helping businesses and employees make the most of these opportunities. As these tools become part of everyday work, HR has an important role in helping people build new skills and adapt to changing ways of working.

The real opportunity is not simply having access to new technology, but helping people use it well. By investing in both technology and our people, SMEs can create opportunities for employees while building stronger and more competitive businesses.

Ultimately, the best outcomes come when businesses and employees succeed together.”

Pearl Yu's perspective is a timely reminder that while technology is becoming increasingly accessible, sustainable growth comes from enabling people to make the most of it.

AI is changing the way organisations hire, manage and develop talent. But as AI becomes part of everyday workplace processes, new legal, ethical and compliance considerations are emerging for business and HR leaders.

Join SHRI CEO Alvin Aloysius Goh, together with employment law experts Francis Chan and Donovan Cheah, for an exclusive discussion on the HR and legal implications of AI workforce integration in Singapore and Malaysia.

Walk away with practical insights to help your organisation embrace AI while remaining compliant-ready.

⚠️ Limited seats available.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/yQfR0RF5b2

A 24/7 wellbeing hub. A career tool that puts growth in employees’ own hands. Last Thursday at DXC Technology Singapore, we saw how it all fits together.

As part of the lead-up to the 19th Singapore HR Awards 2026, our Winning Recipes learning journey took us inside DXC’s people strategy, built on three pillars. From the AI Academy reskilling thousands, to the Career Navigator helping people chart their own growth, to a wellbeing framework that treats trust over surveillance as a principle, it was a real look at what “Heart Work” sounds like in practice.

Our thanks to Managing Director See Sing NG, Head of HR for APJMEA Esther Eng, HR Lead Deepak Mishra, and the DXC Singapore team for opening their doors and sharing so openly.

Great people work often goes unseen, including your own. Nominations for this year's Singapore HR Awards are open until 24 July 2026. Put your organisation forward and let your Heart Work be heard.
https://shri.org.sg/hrawards2026/

The Sound of Heart Work continues.

Many SMEs are focused on AI, workforce transformation, and the upcoming Workplace Fairness Act but overlooked a resource set aside to support these efforts.

Eligible employers may have up to $10,000 in SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) available to offset workforce transformation and training initiatives.

Whether you are looking to:
✅ Strengthen HR compliance capabilities
✅ Build digital and AI readiness
✅ Develop leaders and managers
✅ Advance HR professionalisation

SFEC may help reduce the cost of investing in your people.

Don't wait until the funding window closes on 30 November 2026. Explore SHRI Academy's programmes or speak with us to learn more.

"Even in uncertain times, what keeps me grounded is something quite simple. It’s by reconnecting with the purpose behind my work, and the people I am here to partner and support. And more often than not, it’s the little things that count.

Sometimes, it is an honest conversation with a colleague navigating a difficult time. Sometimes, it is a small action that shifts how a team experiences change. These moments may not appear in any dashboard or report, but they are often where trust is built and culture is shaped. As an HR leader, I have found that these little things, grounded in empathy, authenticity and consistency, create greater impact than grand gestures.

Looking ahead, I see one of the biggest opportunities for HR in Singapore in helping both large and small enterprises scale beyond our borders with inclusive, AI-savvy people practices. HR must partner closely with the business to build globally ready skills and shape cultures that are fair, adaptable, and human, even as organisations grow across different markets and contexts. This also requires HR professionals to have the courage and wisdom to engage in crucial conversations with senior leaders, challenging perspectives where necessary and advocating for changes that strengthen organisational culture and long-term success.

This is also where the little things matter most. Because culture often scales through the daily actions of people who care about getting it right. That is the work that energises me, and it is the kind of work I believe will strengthen HR's relevance in the years ahead."

A thoughtful reflection from Charmaine Sim on the evolving role of HR leadership, reminding us that the greatest impact often comes not from grand gestures, but from the courage, consistency and care we show our people every day.

Sound HR decisions need more than instinct. The PGDip SHCM gives you the frameworks to back every call.

SHRI PGDip SHCM: shri.org.sg/courses/postgraduate-diploma-in-strategic-human-capital-management/

What does an award-winning workplace look like from the inside?

As part of Winning Recipes: A Taste of Award-Winning Workplaces, an exclusive learning journey series in the lead-up to the 19th Singapore HR Awards, SHRI had the privilege of hosting our first stop at Mediacorp, a multiple award-winner at the 18th Singapore HR Awards across culture, wellbeing, rewards, and learning.

Our participants were welcomed by Mediacorp's HR leadership team, who generously unpacked the thinking behind Mediacorp's people practices and award-winning workplace culture.

The learning journey also included a guided tour of the Mediacorp Campus, including its iconic radio stations and newsrooms, offering participants a firsthand look at how workplace culture comes to life in practice.

We are deeply grateful to Lilian Tan and her team at Mediacorp for their openness, warmth, and generosity in sharing what truly makes their workplace award-winning.

The journey continues. Next stop: DXC Technology Singapore on 18 June 2026, Thursday | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/2rSNnGTwbz

Seats are limited, on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritised for organisations keen on participating in the 19th Singapore HR Awards.

Nominations for this year's Singapore HR Awards close on 10 July 2026.
Nominate now: https://shri.org.sg/hrawards2026/

As AI becomes increasingly intertwined with how organisations operate, we're asking: Is HR simply adopting AI, or is HR prepared to lead with it?

Through the HR & AI Readiness Pulse Check 2026, SHRI is gathering insights from HR leaders across Singapore and ASEAN on AI readiness, workforce transformation and the evolving role of HR.

We invite you to take part, or share the survey with HR professionals and leaders who can contribute their perspectives.
🔗 https://form.jotform.com/261412757693060

Your biggest compliance risk may not be your HR policies. It may be the managers applying them.

Most organisations have employee policies and procedures in place. Yet workplace grievances, disputes and claims rarely arise because a policy is missing. They often surface when managers are required to make high-stakes people decisions under pressure, without the capability, confidence or training to do so consistently.

Hiring. Performance management. Workplace investigations. Retrenchment exercises. Employee separations.
These moments test the strength of an organisation's people management capability.

Explore why compliance capability matters and how SHRI Academy's Compliance programmes help organisations build it, and get started today:

🔹 Assess your organisation's Workplace Fairness & Employee Relations Readiness: https://form.jotform.com/261552589228466
🔹 Register for our Complimentary Workplace Fairness Act & Employment Law Masterclass on 25 June 2026: https://form.jotform.com/261541663088057