HRadiO

For generations, the career formula seemed fairly straightforward: study first, start working, and build experience over time. 

But as Generation Z and Generation Alpha entera rapidly changing workforce, that sequence is becoming less clear-cut. Young professionals are starting work earlier, studying alongside their jobs, taking time to travel before entering the workforce, or returning to education later in their careers. 

It is a question that also hits close to home for HRO’s journalist Umairah Nasir, who is balancing a job while pursuing a Bachelor of Communication. That experience sparked the conversation for this episode of HRadiO: does it really matter whether you study first or work first?

To find out, Umairah Nasir speaks with Alan Tan, APAC HR Director, IHI Asia Pacific (APAC), who is navigating a similar balance from a different stage of his career. Alongside his regional HR leadership role, Tan is pursuing a Master of Science in Human Capital Management and Analytics at NUS. 

It took Shivani Nadarajah a decade to discover where she truly belonged.

Long before she became Senior Director, Human Resources, APAC, Cytiva, she was working in supply chain, sourcing steel to make wind turbines. HR was never part of the original plan, but when the opportunity arose to make the switch, she took it. Looking back, she describes it as finding a place that finally felt like home.

Yet it was her decade outside HR that continues to shape how she leads today.

Leading people across one of the world's most diverse regions means balancing global consistency with local realities, something Shivani believes cannot be achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach.

Speaking to Umairah Nasir, Shivani reflects on her unconventional career journey, leading HR across APAC, and why meaningful experiences, rather than hiring alone, are key to building the workforce of the future.

Welcome to this episode of HRadiO, where we will be discussing how organisations are rethinking hiring in a world where roles are evolving faster than ever. 

As talent shortages continue and roles evolve quickly, employers are rethinking whether degrees, years of experience, and past job titles are the best indicators of future performance.  

In this conversation, Sarah Gideon speaks with Gautam Duggal, an HR leader in the financial services sector, about the growing shift towards skills-based hiring and what it means for organisations in practice.

Rather than focusing primarily on where someone studied or the roles they have held before, the leader affirms that skills-based hiring places greater emphasis on what candidates can actually do, how they solve problems and how their capabilities align with current and future business needs.

Enjoy the listen!

Welcome to this edition of HRadiO! This episode takes us into the world of veterinary medicine - where science, compassion, and leadership come together in the care of our beloved pets.

We’re shining the spotlight on Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital, a specialist veterinary and emergency centre founded with a mission to deliver evidence-based care while supporting pet families through some of their most emotional moments.

In this conversation, Priya Sunil speaks with Dr Patrick Maguire, specialist veterinary surgeon, Co-Founder, and Director of the hospital. With nearly two decades of experience across the US and Singapore - and as the first Singapore-based diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Dr Maguire brings a rare perspective on the evolving world of animal healthcare.

Dr Maguire shares his journey of building a specialist practice, how he balances clinical excellence with empathy, and what inclusive leadership looks like in a high-stakes, emotionally charged environment.

Enjoy the listen!

Welcome to this edition of HRadiO, the podcast by Human Resources Online (HRO)!

In this episode, Umairah Nasir speaks to James Walkden, General Manager and Cheryl Simon, Director of HR to explore how The Westin Singapore is prioritising employee wellness and inclusion at the heart of its daily operations. 

Did you know, that Dementia Singapore raised its retirement and re‑employment ages for employees nine years ahead of it becoming mandatory? Or that Securus, an SME, has built a learning framework so strong that one employee progressed from frontline work all the way to Service Quality Manager – made possible through a structured upskilling programme?

These are the stories you need to know about if you are an employer or HR leader in Singapore looking to enhance your current HR policies.

In this HRadiO episode, brought to you by HRO and Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), we learn about award‑winning best practices from four progressive employers. From leading boldly in upskilling, to flexible recognition initiatives, these stories prove that progressive workplaces aren’t just possible, they’re thriving.  

Listen to leaders from Dementia Singapore, Maybank Singapore, Securus, and Parkroyal Pickering Hotel, alongside insights from Tripartite Alliance Chairperson, Bob Tan. Enjoy the episode! 

Welcome to this edition of HRadiO! This episode brings us inside the world of hospitality, where care, culture, and consistency take centre stage. 

We’re shining the spotlight on Grand Hyatt Singapore — a hotel that’s not just reopening its iconic Grand Wing soon, but also leveraging this as an opportunity to reaffirm its five-decade legacy of being a people-first workplace.  

In an era where digital disruption and fast careers dominate headlines, Grand Hyatt Singapore reminds us of the value of ‘staying’ — and what it means to build meaningful, long-term careers in the hospitality space. 

In this conversation, Aditi Sharma Kalra speaks to Timothy Parr, Hotel Manager at Grand Hyatt Singapore. Having been closely involved in the hotel’s transformation journey, Tim gives us an inside look at how the team is bringing the property — and its people — back to life for this next chapter. 

Welcome to this edition of HRadiO, the podcast by Human Resources Online (HRO) that gives you insights into the latest trends in HR & leadership. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s at the forefront of modern workplace strategies: flexible working arrangements (FWAs). 

As of 1 December 2024, employers in Singapore have been asked to comply with the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR). The Guidelines are aimed at making it easier for employees to request for FWAs, while acknowledging that employers continue to have the prerogative to decide on work arrangements.  

But for some employers, there are still questions: 

• Why implement FWAs?  
• What are the real benefits? 
• Is the process complicated or costly? 
• How do I even start? 

In this episode, we speak to our special guest – Faith Li, General Manager, Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (also known as TAFEP), who will help us understand how the TG-FWAR can lead to how a more adaptable, productive, and satisfied workforce. The discussion will also explore the support systems available to help employers navigate the process with confidence.

Welcome to this episode of HRadiO, the podcast by Human Resources Online (HRO) that gives you insights into the latest trends in HR & leadership.   

In this episode, Sarah Gideon speaks to Sheela Kosaraju, Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President, Legal, Ciena, on the topic of: “Timeless strategies for cross-functional leadership and hiring right.” 

We’ll explore how cross-functional collaboration, innovative recruitment tactics, remote work enablement, and engaging a multi-generational workforce are key to shaping the future of work.

Welcome to this episode of HRadiO, the podcast by Human Resources Online (HRO) that gives you insights into the latest trends in HR & leadership. 

In this edition, we’re discussing "The balance between cost effectiveness and high impact of talent mobility packages". 

This discussion continues the exploration of the strategic balance between cost-effective employee mobility solutions and career development in the ever-changing landscape and we will be looking at how organisations navigate this intersection for financial sustainability and long-term workforce success. 

In this second part of this series, titled 'How HR leaders in Asia are ensuring an inexpensive mobility package' HRO's Sarah Gideon sits down with senior mobility leader, Shazy Tan, who is Senior Manager for Global Mobility at Visa, and is joining us on the podcast in a personal capacity.