| Hong Kong, May 5, 2009 – Classified Post and leading international HR consultancy Hewitt Associates joined hands for the fifth time to present the Best Employers in Hong Kong Conference at the Hong Kong Grand Hyatt hotel today. Representatives from some of the six best employers in Hong Kong – Convoy Financial Services Limited, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong, Pret A Manger (HK) Limited, American Express International, Inc. and Federal Express (Hong Kong) Limited shared their views on staff engagement and employee communication in managing the economic downturn at the event, which attracted over 150 senior HR management executives from some of the top enterprises in the region. Speaking at the conference, HKSAR’s Secretary for Labour and Welfare Department Mr. Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBS, JP, shared the latest statistics of Hong Kong’s labour market scene. "The rapid deterioration in the business landscape has, as expected, led to a quick rise in the local unemployment rate," said Mr. Cheung. "The latest figure edged up to 5.3% from a 10-year low of 3.2% in mid-2008." Mr. Cheung stressed that enterprises should promote communication and co-operation amongst staff through "empathy", with the objective of building a quality team. Caring employers should show "care" in identifying the needs of employees and their families and provide them with a worry-free work environment. It is also crucial to listen to employees’ views with "patience" and proactively transform them into effective measures. With views canvassed from more than 46,000 employees of close to 40 organisations in Hong Kong, the Hewitt Best Employers in Hong Kong study is the largest and most comprehensive employee-based study ever conducted in the region. About the South China Morning Post The South China Morning Post is Hong Kong’s premier English language newspaper and has the city’s most affluent and influential readership. First published in 1903, the newspaper has developed an enviable reputation for authoritative, influential and independent reporting on Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia. Its online platform, scmp.com, reaches a global audience of China watchers with daily breaking news, multimedia articles and interactive forums. Striving to maintain the highest standards among the world’s quality newspapers, the South China Morning Post receives constant international recognition. It received 46 awards in 2008 for excellence in editorial, marketing and technical capability. About Hewitt Associates Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organisations around the world with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial challenges. Hewitt consults with companies to design and implement a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management, health management, compensation, and talent management strategies. As a leading outsourcing provider, Hewitt administers health care, retirement, payroll, and other HR programmes to millions of employees, their families, and retirees. With a history of exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in 33 countries and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the world a better place to work. For more information please visit www.hewittasia.com |
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