Balance In Work And Life To Establish a Strong Loving Family

KUALA LUMPUR: The balance in work and life balance is very important in establishing a strong family and a loving family. 

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato' Seri Hajah Rohani Karim said that therefore her ministry is proud to promote work-life balance through a Special Award of Life at Work Award. 

"This award was introduced last year to recognize the employers who are committed to ensuring that women-friendly workplace and family-friendly as well as championing the principles of diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace."

"The Ministry has received 18 nominations from employers and awards will be presented by the Deputy Prime Minister," she added.

Rohani, who is also Member of Parliament for Batang Lupar said this in her speech at the Women's Summit 2014 held at the Royale Chulan Hotel near here just now.

She explained that various categories of the Life at Work Award awards highlight best practices to encourage more employers to promote work life integration and parent-friendly working environment. 

"This is with the aim to increase the participation of women in the workforce and to promote a diverse and inclusive working environment."

Rohani added that the main award categories are: firstly, Malaysian Organisation which leads the way in providing Malaysian women a great place to work, through flexible work arrangements and parent-friendly facilities, secondly, International Organisation with best practices which other companies can emulate, such as having targets for women in leadership and having development programmes tailored for women; and thirdly, Lean Organisation with less than 500 employees, demonstrating that good work-life practices can work even in small offices. 

She also introduced three new categories for this Summit; New Initiative/Pilot Programme category which focuses on successful new programme that has demonstrated outstanding achievements and potential in sustaining its commitment to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the workplace;

Making A Difference category which showcases exemplary company which has demonstrated proven ability in implementing its diversity and inclusion initiatives or policies for significant impact to the workforce in the company; and

and the CEO Champion category which promotes a role-model CEO for his/her achievements, leadership, commitment and most importantly, engagement in the organization’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. 

Hoping that their best practices will enable the summit particpants to make great recommendations to their own organisations on striking work-life balance, Rohani said that following the awards, they have exciting programmes lined up for the summit ahead of them today.

"I believe many of you are eagerly waiting to participate in this session, which has always been very lively from our previous experiences," she said adding that all participants involved in the dialogue session will post matters, issues and concerns on the development of women that touches the mass in Malaysia. 

The summit was officiated by Deputy Minister Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin who was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

Muhyiddin later had a customary dialogue session with the participants of Women Summit 2014 right followed by a distinguished panel of speakers debated on the topic “CEOs Get It: Driving Diversity and Inclusiveness”. -Sarawakiana