#HumansofGreatWorkplaces – Amgen

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As an essential business and key manufacturing facility, Covid-19 presented many challenges to Amgen Singapore Manufacturing (ASM). It had to keep operations running, ensure that its 650 staff and external workers are safe, healthy, empowered and engaged, and quickly establish a robust business continuity plan to ensure reliable, uninterrupted supply of medicines to their patients.
 
Keeping only essential staff to support critical on-site operations 50% of the workforce were transitioned to work from home; ergonomically outfitted for optimal productivity and safety. Allowances were given to offset increased utilities and broadband access. Virtual meetings were managed with consideration for staff well-being. ASM also extended their support to employee’s families through the delivery of 6 rounds of thematic care packs containing essential hygiene, health food, mental wellbeing and family friendly items. To alleviate the burden on staff who are working parents and are supporting aging parents or have children at home-based schooling during Circuit Breaker, virtual activities catering for different age groups such as magic shows, storytelling, balloon sculpting, healthy cooking demonstrations and virtual fitness sessions were conducted.

Jermaine Ho

Manufacturing Manager, Biologics Manufacturing Amgen Singapore Manufacturing (ASM)
"Like many parents, the COVID-19 pandemic had caught us all in a difficult predicament, tasked with making challenging decisions about our family and career daily. As a working mum of a 3-year-old girl and a newborn due soon, then I was especially appreciative of the efforts and excellent maternity benefits Amgen Singapore Manufacturing (ASM) had provided to support working parents like myself.. " (cont.)

“..at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was given the option to work from home (WFH) until my delivery to minimize any unnecessary exposure to the virus. Since returning to work, I have been on rotational work pods. This flexibility allows me to spend more quality time with my newborn. My manager also regularly checks-in with me to ensure all is well. There were occasions where I had to take urgent time off, and she was very understanding and reassured me that I could work remotely or take more time off if needed. When back in the office, I was able to nurse comfortably in the dedicated mothers’ rooms which is adequately equipped for nursing mothers.

As a WFH staff, I also benefitted from Amgen’s ergonomics learning and risk assessment program which is complemented with a loaner support program. Upon assessment, ergonomics equipment and furnishings such as monitors, and chairs are delivered and installed at the staff’s homes. I received a hands-free headset that allows me to be more effective in meetings, which interestingly also serves as a great prompter to my kids that mummy is now busy working!

My kids are also having fun with the multiple care packs that Amgen had distributed to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and our loved ones. From hygiene items such as masks, hand sanitizers to family-friendly games and virtual activities, my family had played many rounds of pick-up sticks and Jenga – of which, they are now prized possessions in my daughter’s toy box.

In this challenging year, Amgen has gone the extra mile to support its staff. These gestures took a huge load off me and allowed me to focus on what’s important and to experience the joys of motherhood. Thank you Amgen for being so caring and thoughtful. Amgen’s inclusive culture makes it a Great Place to Work!”

Jermaine Ho
Manufacturing Manager, Biologics Manufacturing
Amgen Singapore Manufacturing (ASM)

Creating psychological safety: Leaders demonstrated and encouraged empathy and vulnerability. This included sharing  their own challenges and adjustments.  Employees felt comfortable sharing their  personal and professional challenges and  asking for what they needed. 
 
Amgen Singapore curated a set of leadership training to better equip leaders with the skills to show vulnerability, have courageous conversations and facilitate virtual team  building.
 
Companies like Amgen Singapore and Micron were considered essential businesses and key manufacturing facilities in their global networks that had to keep on-site operations running while moving a significant percentage of their workforce to work-from-home arrangements.
In support of the community, Amgen donated S$100,000 to The Courage Fund and S$50,000 towards Touch Community Services. ASM also distributed 2,000 care packs to frontline workers in 4 local hospitals.
 
For the dedicated support of their people and the community, we are proud to rank ASM among the 2020 Best Workplaces of Singapore!

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ABOUT OUR METHOLOGY​

To be eligible for the World’s Best Workplaces list, a company must apply and be named to a minimum of 5 national Best Workplaces lists within our current 58 countries, have 5,000 employees or more worldwide, and at least 40% of the company’s workforce (or 5,000 employees) must be based outside of the home country. Extra points are given based on the number of countries where a company surveys employees with the Great Place to Work Trust Index©, and the percentage of a company’s workforce represented by all Great Place to Work surveys globally. Candidates for the 2017 Worlds Best Workplaces list will have appeared on national workplaces lists published in September 2016 through August 2017.

ABOUT OUR METHODOLOGY​