Page 40 - Demo

38ADVANCING AHEADPILLAR 1: HUMAN CENTRICThis pillar focuses on the social aspect of the Group%u2019s operations, covering areas relating to both its internal and external stakeholders.Managing & Developing TalentThe Group continues to prioritise employee engagement and well-being by focusing on leadership, career development, teamwork, communication and mental health. To address these areas, group and regional action plans were implemented to improve communication, collaboration and career opportunities, fostering a unified OneESR culture and a supportive workplace. ESR%u2019s Get Ahead Internship (%u201cGAIN%u201d) Programme provided students with hands-on work experience, with 24 interns completing the Programme in 2024, while the New Employee Orientation sessions offered new colleagues valuable insights from ESR%u2019s senior executives who directly participate in the bi-monthly programme. Engagement was further enhanced through OneESR initiatives, promoting collaboration and alignment with the Group%u2019s vision of operating as a unified global platform.Community InvestmentGiving back to the communities where it operates is an important part of the Group%u2019s social impact initiatives. In 2024, ESR contributed over 4,500 volunteer hours to community investment initiatives across its markets, guided by the Group Social Impact Committee and its three social impact focus areas: Strengthening Social Resilience, Health, and Well-being; Promoting Education and Upskilling; and Protecting the Environment. Key initiatives include tackling food insecurity with %u201cEat Up Australia%u201d, supporting families in Hong Kong through ELCHK%u2019s %u201cSIM Love%u201d programme, funding scholarships in Singapore, improving access to education in village schools across India, conserving biodiversity with beehive installations at some of its Australia logistics hubs and combatting climate change with tree planting initiatives across the Group. Supported by the Employee Volunteering Leave policy, these efforts underscore ESR%u2019s commitment to fostering sustainable and meaningful change in the communities it serves.Stakeholder EngagementGaining insights into stakeholder perspectives is vital to ensuring the Group%u2019s ESG efforts align with expectations. Previously, 15 material ESG factors were developed from a comprehensive materiality assessment involving both internal and external stakeholders. In 2024, these factors were reviewed in consideration of shifting trends and market practices, and were deemed to remain relevant to the Group. Regular engagement with the Group%u2019s key stakeholders was maintained through a variety of online and offline methods, such as engagement surveys, cohesion initiatives, public events and on-site mental health support. Human-centric elements are also integrated into ESR facilities %u2014 see the case study %u201cIntegrating the Human-Centric Touch%u201d featured under the %u201cStakeholder Engagement%u201d section of the ESG Report 2024.Safety, Health & Well-beingESR recognises that all employees have the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. In addition to the Group%u2019s employees, the health and safety of its contractors across its portfolio is critical to the success of the Group. A comprehensive contractor safety management system was implemented to enhance on-site safety processes and ensure compliance with workplace health and safety regulations. Powered by Rapid Global, the system streamlines contractor performance monitoring, incident reporting and audits. Alongside leveraging technology to improve safety, the Group actively promotes health and well-being amongst its employees through regular online and in-person initiatives, while encouraging open discussions around mental health (refer to %u201cR U OK? DAY%u201d in the ESG Report 2024). The focus on well-being is also a highlight in South Korea, where 32 assets achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (%u201cIWBI%u201d), up from 28 assets the previous year.