Ms. Angela Lum

Ms Angela LumExecutive DirectorUBS AG

An accountant by training, Angela Lum, having developed a keen interest in the HR profession made a career switch in 1992 from a financial analyst in the technology industry to a HR business partner at American Express.She later joined UBS as a compensation and benefits manager.During the past 12 years at UBS, Angela has assumed several roles in HR functions, including leadership positions in HR strategy and governance.

Ms Angela LumExecutive DirectorUBS AG

Thus monetary gratification alone isn't enough," says Angela Lum, co-head of HR, UBS Singapore.

Male staff is also eligible for the 'maternity leave' if they are the baby's primary care giver, though Lum admits so far only one male colleague has taken primary caregiver leave.
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It plugs the gaps in the existing insurance system in Singapore, which currently normally excludes pregnancy complications and almost always does not cover babies in their first two weeks of life, Lum says. UBS has embraced flexible work arrangements, offering them to everyone, not just working mothers. These range from part-time jobs (reduced number of working hours or days per week), telecommuting, permanent homeworking, hybrid homeworking - splitting their time between office and home; occasional homeworking - working remotely from home on an ad hoc basis. Some employees can also opt for variable working hours or non-standard working hours.

Flexible work arrangements tend to be on an informal basis as agreed with the respective line managers. "Our staff make use of flexible work arrangements for a variety of reasons like family commitments and health-related issues," Lum says.

Lum also said the company views work-life harmony as a business strategy, benefiting productivity, employee engagement and attraction and retention of talent.

Twice-a-year global surveys have shown staff satisfaction with the work environment at very encouraging levels. "Staff turnover ratio is well below the 10% industry average. In addition, our study shows that employees leaving for work-life balance reasons have fallen by 80% over two years," Lum explains.

Angela Lum, Co-Head of Human Resources at UBS feels that Gen-Yers no longer seeks life-time employment with one company and shares a similar philosophy, to recruit and retain the best talent based on merit, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.