Unilever is a global consumer products company, having products sold in 190 countries worldwide to serve 2.5 billion consumers who use its products every day. Unilever has more than 400 brands spanning various consumer products categories from detergents, skincare, haircare, dish washing to food. Unilever is ranked the market leader in seven major product segments including laundry detergents, haircare, skin cleansing, body care, rice porridge, ice cream and dish washing. It has 32 factories in Southeast Asia and six global research and development facilities worldwide and employs over 150,000 people around the world. In 2018, Unilever was nominated No. 1 Employer of Choice in 50 markets including Thailand.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Unilever is a purpose-led company and encourage employees find their inner purpose. Employees with purpose tend to engage more than employees who does not. Employees’ purpose that are aligned with the company’s purpose results in happier employees and are likely to stay with the company longer. A purpose workshop has been organized for all employees in the organization to help them draft their purpose. Unilever also compile innovative programs such as; Health & Well-Being Week, to help employees keep track and suggest precautions for their health. Mental Being program, a hotline number has been introduced for those who need counseling about their work or personal life. Financial Well-Being, through financial consultation for savings or future planning. And lastly, Physical, Exercise Programs where employees can join as a team such as dance class after work and steps counting. An annual Unilever Family Day has been organized for employees and their families get together on a trip. UniVoice, an annual well-being survey, is conducted annually to check on employee’s well-being and engagement with the company. Unilever Thailand has successfully increase 5% of employee and engagement in 2018 and acquire 3rd place in their company’s global ranking among Unilever group of companies across the globe.
UNLOCK CAPACITY FOR GROWTH
Fast moving generation are our future employees and customers. To react to these changes, Unilever empowers people to unlock their capacity through agile working, always simplifying and leading for an inclusive future of work. Encouraging its employees to develop their skill and gain experience. Unilever launched Flex Experiences where employees can volunteer themselves in projects or assignments, either within their function or cross-function worldwide. Unilever Thailand had embedded digital hearth into organization, the heart of Unilever’s data-driven marketing is the “digital hub”, where a group of people sits together and work in real time which we call “Scrum Team”, seeking out new customers for the company’s products. These analysts study the data for consumer traits, segment them, scale it across an entire country. Working closely with Digital Hub, our inhouse agency content creator, “U-Studio” creates content from Real-Time Data Insights to reach out to target group 24 hours.
Unilever supports diverse workplace and create respectful environment to increase well-being and contribution the multicultural employees. Unilever has organized several events to empower and raise awareness in Diversity & Inclusion. Last year, Unilever hosted Women in Engineering to encourage and welcome young female engineers. To promote gender equality, Unilever launched a 15 days paternity leave to support new father to bond and take care of his newly born child as well as maternity leave has been increased for up to 16 weeks.
CREATE CAPABILITY THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING
At Unilever, employees must have future-fit capabilities to foster company’s growth, having DNAs to discover new things, diagnose problems, develop ability and enhance themselves to have digital skills. Workshops and classes are provided in both face-to-face and online via Degreed. Employees can access training courses virtually from anytime and anywhere. Unilever encourages job rotations to help employees create career pathway in deeper and wider level, and fulfill employee dream destination in both of local and international role.
DEEPEN CULTURE OF PIONEERING
Performance Development Plan (PDP) and Individual Development Plan (IDP) are tools use to drives performance through leadership and innovation. Employees’ Journey will be personalized and customized to their goals which are purpose-linked. Employees can plan their short, medium and long-term personal development goals to improve their individual capability gaps. Unilever has also initiate Change Leader Conference in 2017, which became a bi-annual Unilever Leadership meeting, to discuss about the company’s direction and key contribution. The Change Leader Conference helps shape and set direction of the company initiative and pioneering culture.
CONCLUSION
With 87 years in Thailand, Unilever has been serving a wide range of products to 69 million Thai consumers. Unilever Thailand was ranked no.1 employer of choice for three consecutive years and younger generation are inspired to work here, making the company more purposeful. Surrounded by inspiring leaders and peers, employees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the table. They will be nurtured and supported as they developed to be their best self possible.
Aiming to make sustainable living a common place, Unilever takes social responsibility, as an employer that not only the employee will get to work on brands that are loved, but also endeavor to improve the lives of every Thai consumers every day, to reduce environmental footprint and invest in sustainable projects through Ran Tid Dao & I’m Wall’s Man to enhance the livelihoods. Unilever believe that with purpose, it will help effectively guide life’s journey and career path for employees.
