UPS awards employees for two decades of service

Singapore - Around 123 UPS employees were recently honoured for their long service during the supply chain service company's celebration of its Founder's Day for the 101th year.

Human Resources spoke to one proud recipient of this year's Founders' Day 20-year Long Service award and how UPS helped nurture his career development throughout the years.

Zulkifle Jamal, project manager for UPS Singapore, joined the company back in 1988 as a driver and has since risen up the ranks by working in various sectors within UPS. Jamal attributes his rise to the company's traditional policy of "promoting staff from within". Citing his experience which ranged from industrial engineering to brokerage & data management, Jamal said, "This is done through succession planning and cross-training. We are also encouraged to multitask and not limit ourselves to one department."

He further explained that every management staff's career development was pre-planned in the beginning of the year with their preferences on jobs, relocation, international or lateral posting noted via the company's intranet. "The boss then looks at the feedback from the staff, and seeks to ensure that our preferences are taken into consideration and systematically implemented in the career plan."

A caring touch was also shown to Jamal before he went on international assignment to Saudi Arabia. Other than an all-fee paid 5-day orientation to help both prospective employer and employee decide if it was a right fit, his family was also offered the opportunity to fly there and be part of the decision-making process.

Besides the opportunity to grow as a leader, Jamal believes the family friendly culture at UPS is a big part of his longevity in the company. "My boss knows my family well and she never fails to invite us to her house during Chinese New Year to join in the festivities."

For the young jobseekers, Jamal has this to say, "Choose an organisation that they can grow with, see themselves growing with, and which develops them as an all-rounded person."

As a token of appreciation for his long service, Jamal was given a certificate and decorative memento for the previous five, ten and 15-year intervals at UPS. He was also offered a chance of share ownership in the company.