UOB Malaysia highlights sustainable practices with workplace wellness, solar financing programmes
The company’s initiatives are aimed at tackling the most pressing needs of the region.
UOB Malaysia has always placed its employees at the very centre of what it does, being the organisation’s most treasured assets. As part of the UOB way, the employee journey is guided by the Bank’s philosophy, where their overall well-being, professional and personal growth, as well as entrusted empowerment to make a positive difference are being emphasised.
To further uphold this cause, the company has put in place a Wellness Policy that encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. These guiding principles are deeply embedded across and touch on all aspects of employees’ lives, from the very design of workplaces to how employees perform their work to the suite of support services curated for their welfare.
It takes pride in its newly launched UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur head office as the perfect embodiment of its long-held philosophy towards employee well-being, manifested not only through the building’s main design features but also the approach taken to shape space utilisation within.
For instance, the layout and major functional aspects of Plaza 1’s Early Learning Centre for infants and toddlers are co-designed by UOB employees who make use of this dedicated childcare service.
Being the only bank building in Malaysia to be earmarked for a platinum rating by GreenRE and BCA Green Mark, Plaza 1 is intended to promote overall employee well-being in line with the Wellness Policy. On physical health, Plaza 1 offers an on-site clinic that caters exclusively to employees. For those who are off-site, the provision of medical assistance is augmented by its telemedicine service, where live video consultations can be carried out regardless of where employees are situated.
To encourage social interactions and collaborative work, Plaza 1’s sprawling Sky Lounge spanning the entire 18th floor and futuristic refreshment bistros on every working floor collectively offer the ideal settings to do so. Alternatively, for those intending to connect in a more casual setting, the building’s dedicated entertainment-themed Games Lounge features pool tables and arcade machines, amongst others.
Amenities offered are supplemented by comprehensive wellness support programmes such as UOB Cares, utilising digital health tools to deliver individualised coaching, dietitian advice, and a counselling hotline for emotional support.
This effort has been recognised by the ESGBusiness Awards, as UOB Malaysia took the win the Workplace Wellness Programme Award - Malaysia category.
Forging a sustainable future
Overall, employee satisfaction and comfort also fall into the bigger picture of ensuring a sustainable future, not just for the country but for the entire region. This is in line with UOB’s corporate purpose, as its strategic imperatives continue to be aligned with the most pressing needs and priorities of the region.
As part of its Green Umbrella Framework, UOB launched its flagship U-Solar programme to take full advantage of Malaysia’s optimal solar irradiance levels. U-Solar is Asia’s first integrated solar energy financing platform. It facilitates payment terms across the entire solar value chain, from equipment suppliers, to contractors and developers, to end-users for both businesses and consumers.
This innovation comes amidst the ASEAN region’s reliance on fossil fuels to power its engines of economic growth, with Malaysia’s energy sector producing almost 80% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
To date, more than 30 strategic partners from across key ASEAN markets are participating in the programme, jointly offering equipment and procurement financing and a suite of financial solutions to encourage the adoption of renewable energy in Malaysia. It has also facilitated more than RM800m worth of financing and generated approximately 307 GWh of solar energy.
“U-Solar is emblematic of the UOB approach, where much emphasis is placed upon developing comprehensive, end-to-end financing solutions through collaborative, strategic partnerships; addressing areas or challenges that would yield the most positive economic, environmental and social impacts; and aligning strategic efforts to ASEAN’s sustainable development priorities," the company said.
Similarly, UOB bagged the Renewable Energy Financing Programme Award - Malaysia category win under the awards programme.
ESGBusiness Awards honours businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, as well as those leading the way in building a sustainable future.
The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].
