Malaysia’s Top Employers Spill The Beans On How They Keep Their Employees Happy At Work
Jobstreet by SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 recognises organisations that are leading the way in building people-first cultures.
- Employees with a greater sense of purpose are happier, more productive, and less likely to leave their organisation.
- The SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 honours employers that prioritise people, growth, and purpose, as well as shaping workplaces where employees feel genuinely valued and empowered.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
Finding the right job has never been just about securing a paycheque. Likewise, hiring the right person is about far more than filling a vacancy.
As expectations around work continue to evolve, both employees and employers are placing greater value on positive workplace culture, where people feel supported, respected, and given room to grow.
Jobstreet by SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index found that having “purpose” has become the biggest driver of happiness at work. Employees who are happier at work are also more likely to go the extra mile and less likely to consider leaving.
These trends are prompting employers to rethink what makes a great workplace—one that invests in employee career growth, supportive leadership, and a culture that benefits both its people and business.
That’s where the Jobstreet by SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 comes in, to recognise organisations leading the way in building people-first cultures while inspiring more leaders and companies to keep pace with the evolving workforce.
Happy Employees = Happy Employer
For Nicholas Lam, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia, creating a workplace where people can grow and thrive starts with making employees feel that they matter.
“Have you heard of this saying: ‘Happy employees, happy company?” he quips. “People-first culture means we put our employees first, and the idea here is to make sure they feel valued.”
This goes beyond offering attractive salaries or employee perks. He shares that it’s about helping people understand how their individual efforts fit into the bigger picture while giving them the trust, support, and opportunities to realise their potential.
They need to know how their work contributes to the bigger piece of the puzzle, and how that puzzle contributes to a bigger impact. It’s all about putting employees first, caring for them, trusting them, and helping them grow.
Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia Managing Director Nicholas Lam.
Lam adds that the best workplaces are those that never stop listening, creating an environment where employees feel heard and equipped to continue developing their careers.
This is the philosophy that underpins the SEEK People & Purpose Awards (SPPA) 2026.
Running under the theme, Where Work and Purpose Meet: Recognising Workplaces Malaysians Grow With, the SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 honours employers that prioritise people, growth, and purpose, as well as shaping workplaces where employees feel genuinely valued and empowered.
What we’ve learned is that employees with a greater sense of purpose tend to be a lot happier. When employees are happy, customers are happy, organisations thrive, businesses grow, and ultimately the nation grows.
Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia Managing Director Nicholas Lam.
This year, 71 organisations nationwide were recognised for creating positive work environments, with the awards spanning three categories that each highlight a different aspect of workplace excellence:
- Top Voted Employer Awards — recognise organisations that have earned the trust and endorsement of working Malaysians through a nationwide public voting exercise, conducted in partnership with leading research company Ipsos Malaysia.
- SEEK People & Purpose Excellence Awards — celebrate organisations that have demonstrated outstanding employer brand and hiring performance based on market and platform data.
- Submission Award Categories — honour organisations and leaders that are driving meaningful impact through people-focused strategies and workplace practices.
Big names like Maybank, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, University Malaya, Nestlé, and ZUS Coffee are just a few of the companies that won the Platinum Award in their respective industry categories for Top Voted Employer.
Meanwhile, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad won the Platinum Award for Employer of the Year, and telecommunications company Maxis won Best Sustainable HR Practices.
Setting The Standard For Better Workplaces
While each organisation has its own approach, they share a common belief that people perform at their best when they feel trusted, supported, and empowered to grow.
Natasha Tasnim, Officer in Charge of Group Talent and Workforce Development at Maybank, says creating “psychological safety” at the workplace is very important.
After accepting the Platinum Award for Top Voted Employer in Banking and Insurance on behalf of her company, she explains that feeling safe and comfortable at work leads to an overall more positive and productive workplace.
This makes employees happy because they won’t hold themselves back and are not afraid to speak out. I think that’s pretty important.
Maybank Officer in Charge of Group Talent and Workforce Development, Natasha Tasnim.
In addition to that, Jo Ng, Area Director of Human Resources at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Malaysia (received the Top Voted Employer in Hospitality award), says that a good workplace is one where there are supportive colleagues, a nice physical environment, and a good boss.
She jokes that keeping employees well fed with good food is one of the ways. But on a more serious note, she remarks that giving recognition where they deserve it is crucial to keeping morale up and developing in-house talent.
As for employees, Ng advises doing proper research on a company before joining to ensure a good fit to the job, as well as the company itself.
Always do your research. Don’t aim to join a company just because of the brand.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Malaysia Area Director of Human Resources, Jo Ng.
Asran Rozain, Head of Talent at Nestlé Malaysia (which took home the Platinum Award for Top Voted Employer in FMCG), encourages job seekers to remain resilient and curious in their career journeys, and not be discouraged if the right opportunity does not come right away.
Some qualities to foster are critical thinking and adaptability, as they’re becoming increasingly valuable the more technology continues to reshape the workplace.
“Theories can only take you so far,” he notes, adding that professionals who embrace change will be better positioned for long-term success.
The New Workplace Is People-First
As Malaysia’s workforce continues to evolve, people-first workplaces are no longer simply a competitive advantage, but are becoming an expectation.
Organisations recognised by the SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 demonstrate that investing in employees isn’t just about improving workplace satisfaction.
It is about creating environments where people can build meaningful careers, organisations can retain top talent, and businesses can achieve sustainable growth.
So, whether you’re searching for your next career opportunity or looking to build a stronger workplace within your own organisation, SEEK People & Purpose Awards 2026 offers valuable insights into what great employers are doing differently.
Go HERE to discover this year’s award-winning employers and learn more about the organisations setting the benchmark for people-first workplaces in Malaysia.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.
