HAYS Launch 2017 Asia Gender Diversity Report


New research shows flexible working policies are highly valued by men in Asia nearly as much as women, according to recruiting experts Hays.


The 2017 Asia Gender Diversity Report surveyed men and women from more than 30 industry sectors across China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia to find workplace flexibility is a hot button issue.


“Flexible working is still seen very much as something that benefits working mothers but our latest research shows that companies developing flexible work policies have to take a broader view,” says Simon Lance, Managing Director of Hays Greater China.


“We were surprised to find half of all male respondents in Asia already have access to flexible work options compared to just 40 per cent of our female respondents,” says Simon.”


“Furthermore, the majority of female and male respondents say being able to access agile / flexible work options is important to them with nearly a third of each describing this benefit as ‘very’ important.”


“Also of interest is the fact the largest proportion of respondents of both genders are supportive of seeing more shared family responsibilities used as a way of breaking down gender bias and improving gender diversity.”


Only a minority of participants in the Hays research view working flexibly as “very much” a career-limiting move, although most expected some negative impact. Men were more likely than women to be concerned that working flexibly could have a detrimental impact on their career.


By country, a massive 49 per cent of women and 43 per cent of men in Singapore say working flexibly is very important to them. In Japan, some 39 per cent of both genders describe flexible working as very important to them.


Curiously 40 per cent of male respondents in China rate flexible working as very important – just ahead of female respondents at 38 per cent. At the top of the scale, Hong Kong showed the greatest contrast by gender with 38 per cent of women regarding flexible working as very important while only 18 per cent of men rated it so highly.


However, 45 per cent of male respondents say flexible working is ‘important’ to them. In Malaysia, 40 per cent of female respondents and 39 per cent of male respondents say flexible working is very important.


Across Asia, most female respondents (45 per cent) say promoting shared parental responsibilities would “very much” boost efforts to address unconscious bias in the workplace and improve gender diversity while just over a third of men agree.


The majority of men (42 per cent) and 38 per cent of women believe shared responsibilities would go some way to breaking down unconscious bias and improving gender diversity. A small minority, just two per cent, of women and men say there would be no benefit.


Family responsibilities were also top of mind when participants were asked to nominate the diversity and inclusion initiatives they regard as the most helpful to their career.


The largest proportion of respondents in China (37 per cent), Hong Kong (26 per cent), Japan (29 per cent) and Malaysia (34 per cent) placed flexible working policies for parents at the top of their list.


In Singapore most respondents (31 per cent) regarded training and development of people managers as the most useful initiative. However, another 30 per cent placed flexible working policies for working parents at the top of their list.


Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsuddin chairs the Business Leaders Roundtable meeting

IBM and 30% Club Malaysia roundtable meeting

IBM’s managing director Chye Neo Chong hosts the roundtable meeting recently.

30% Club Business Leaders Roundtable Meeting

Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar & Datuk Mohaiyani Shamsuddin chairs the 30% Club Business Leaders Roundtable Meeting.

Malaysian Gas Association (MGA) supported by 30% Club Malaysia inaugural Forum on Women In Energy

Themed “Women – Driving Energy Liberalisation”, the forum will discuss involvement of women in the energy sector and role of women in driving energy market liberalisation.

The forum is hosted by OGA 2017 and is supported by the 30% Club, an organisation promoting gender diversity in boardrooms.

OGA 2017 is the 16th Asian Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Engineering Exhibition to be held from 11 to 13 July at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. 

PwC and 30% Club Malaysia -Launch of Board Mentoring Pilot Scheme

On 12 July, 2017, PwC hosted a lunch in collaboration with 30% Club Malaysia to launch a Board Mentoring Scheme for board-ready women in Malaysia. Pauline Ho, PwC Malaysia People Partner and 30% Club Steering Committee Member, did the welcome address and moderated a fireside chat with Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan, a seasoned board member of various companies and the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Professional Accountancy Centre (MyPAC).


The 30% Club Malaysia pairs board-ready women with current board members in a new 9-month mentorship programme, and is aligned with the government’s target of increasing the number of women on Bursa Top 100 public-listed companies’ (PLC) boards to 30% by 2020. Mentors comprise Chairs, Board Directors, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and senior corporate leaders, while mentees are women in leadership positions looking to move into the boardroom.


The programme is an avenue to facilitate conversations between mentors and mentees, providing more opportunities for mentors and mentees to co-create development, and exposes mentees to a larger network as part of the ongoing journey to get more women on boards. 


Business Leaders Roundtable Meeting

A business leaders roundtable meeting #4 was held recently. It was chaired by founding Chairs Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar and Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.A business leaders roundtable meeting #4 was held recently.


It was chaired by founding Chairs Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar and Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah.

World Bank Group Global Knowledge & Research Hub holds panel discussion with 30% Club Malaysia

The World Bank Group Global Knowledge & Research Hub in Malaysia holds a panel discussion with 30% Club Malaysia Co Founder on Women, Business and Law. A presentation on Women, Business & the Law (Prosperity by Improving Women’s Rights)and a panel discussion by Siobhan Das, Executive Director of American & Malaysian Chamber of Commerce,  Anne Abraham, co-founder of 30% Club Malaysia Chapter and Augusto Lopez Claros.

World Bank Group & 30% Club Malaysia inaugural Business Leaders Brunch meeting

World Bank Group & 30% Club Malaysia recently held its inaugural business leaders brunch meeting.


The Guest of Honour and Speakers are Victoria Kwakwa Vice President for the East Asia and Pacific who leads the World Bank’s strategy in East Asia Pacific since April 15, 2016, Tan Sri Zeti Dato’ Akhtar, Past Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri (Dr) Mohd Sidek Hassan, Petronas Chairman and Tan Sri Rebecca Sta Maria, Former Sec-Gen of Ministry of Interntional Trade & Industry.


Watch the video here.


30% Club Malaysia holds its first meeting

The Steering Committee of 30% Club Malaysia held its first meeting, which is chaired and hosted by founding chair Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar. For more photos click here.