It has
been a couple of unprecedented years of global disruption which has left many
businesses at a loss. Nevertheless, certain industries have proven to be quite
resilient amidst the pandemic, and one of the best examples is Shared Services
Centers.
According
to the Board of Investments Philippines, the country is seen as one of the
established locations for Shared Services which has grown significantly
especially for Financial Services, Insurance, etc. HR Consulting Firm Mercer
revealed that the Shared Services industry in the country showed the most
positive hiring outlook last 2019 with 70% of companies in this sector looking
to expand and 24 percent looking to maintain current headcount.
Shared Services Centers are responsible for handling and executing a particular set of operational tasks within an organization. Its agile and adaptable nature has made the industry stronger and a better choice for candidates who are looking for stable opportunities.
With
the industry proving its resilience, it’s a good workplace to kick-start your
career as long as you find the right employer.
Sun Life Asia Services Centre Philippines, a company providing Business
Processing, IT, and Investment Research services to Sun Life's global
businesses, is here to guide you as they list down the factors to consider when
selecting a company to work for in the Shared Services sector.
Career development and advancement
opportunities
Not
known to many, Shared Services Centers are workplaces where you can also grow
professionally. It is only a matter of choosing the company that will offer
promising opportunities to help you develop your skills. When applying for a
job, ask yourself what you can learn from the role. Don’t be afraid to talk
about training and upskilling opportunities during your interview, being
curious means that you allow yourself to explore different options.
Care for its employees
Being
able to maintain a healthy work-life balance is not only important for your
health and relationships, but also to improve your overall productivity. As we
adapt to new ways of working, setting healthy boundaries around work can help
us maintain a better balance. In line with this, be sure to pick a company with
programs that care for their employees’ welfare and prioritizes work-life
balance – one example is Sun Life ASCP’s programs for overall well-being,
career development and rewards & recognition.
At the
onset of the pandemic, the company launched their Employee Assistance Program
where employees and their dependents are provided free counseling for mental
health, financial assistance and legal assistance. They even launched their own virtual employee
“Amber” who monitors and joins each employee in every milestone that they
celebrate. These initiatives earned Sun Life ASCP a Great Place to Work® certification, with 92% of employees saying
they are proud to work in the company.
Embraces Digitalization
Look for companies that not only exhibit a
solid track record but also strive for innovation. The good news is that the
increasing trend of digitalization in Shared Services Centers makes it a better
choice for growth as digital skills are proving more and more valuable in the
job market. For instance, Sun Life ASCP has been championing information
technology, business processing, investment research, and enterprise
infrastructure to Sun Life business across the globe. In keeping with their
line of providing future-forward experiences to their people, they are driving
distinct Digital First initiatives to create seamless, paperless, and
interactive employee engagement across platforms.
Diverse and inclusive workplace
Choose
a company that fosters respect for people – learn their standpoint on gender
diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, search for an environment where
everyone feels equally involved and supported. Do your research by checking the
company website and reading between the lines. Look at their About Page, check
LinkedIn or Glassdoor to discover what you can about other people who work
there.
Building
an inclusive and diverse environment is also the primary focus of Sun Life
ASCP. They have workplace and community activities that promote the inclusion
of LGBTQ and all diversity groups. Moreover, they are currently at almost 50%
in women leadership across all functions and locations. They have Focused
Leadership Development Programs for women to support capability building and to
ensure employees of all backgrounds would feel confident and empowered within
the organization.
Sustainable and green initiatives
Sustainability
suggests that a company genuinely cares about the well-being of the greater
society, so therefore it would stand to reason that it would likely treat its
employees well. Look into companies that
adopt sustainable business practices within their business, in the same manner
that Sun Life ASCP has done projects dedicated to obtaining quality education,
improving financial literacy, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean
energy, and many more.
Deciding
on the right company for you should align with your values, goals, and work
style. It’s one thing to work in a resilient sector such as Shared Services,
but it’s another to establish a career in a company that prioritizes their
employees’ welfare, strives for innovation and diversity, and seeks to create
positive impact in its own ways.
Find out more about Sun Life ASCP and their employee programs, visit https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/.
About
Sun Life Asia Service Centre
Sun Life Asia Service
Centre-Philippines (ASCP) provides Business Processing, IT, and Knowledge
Service to Sun Life's global businesses. ASC Philippines is part of Sun Life
Asia Service Centres and together with ASC India, support Clients through all
stages of client and software life cycle for Sun Life in Canada, the US, and
Asia. Over the years, the ASC has achieved scale and operational maturity by
integrating closely with Sun Life’s corporate functions. ASCP enables Sun Life
business through technology, building new capabilities, and keeping their focus
on Client For Life moments. For more information, connect with us through:
Website: https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunlifeascp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial
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