Always People First: Who Are Vietnam’s Top Employers?

With the global health crisis in the backdrop, we’ve all seen how economies quickly evolved, and then dropped. Seeing workers inside four-walled offices from 8 to 5 now seems ancient. COVID-19 shifted how we all function as employers and employees. Many failed to adapt as fast as they should; but there were also those who excelled, those who embraced the changes and reinvented the way they do business.

The demands for more flexible working arrangements, bigger health care assistance and more employee-centric policies have grown – those who were able to provide these have remained strong amidst a rather troubled time.

It is in this light that this year’s Top Employers Award by the Top Employers Institute bears more weight and significance to both employers and their employees. COVID-19 didn’t just highlight challenges, but also key opportunities for companies – big or small – to focus on their most important investment: their people.

Top Employers Institute has certified more than 1600 companies globally, 5 of which are in Vietnam.

Top Employers 2021

Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam

One of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies and to this day remains an independent, family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim marks its second year as Top Employer awardee. It has also been named Global Top Employer for the first time, one of only 16 companies recognized worldwide for the title.

The certification is a strong recognition of Boehringer Ingelheim's proactive and holistic approach in building an inclusive and nurturing culture across its dynamic workforce of 2,000 employees across 24 different nationalities in the region.

DHL Express Vietnam

DHL’s excellent implementation of best HR practices has earned the logistics specialist another Top Employer recognition in Vietnam and in other 34 countries, including Indonesia, India and Thailand. With more than half a million employees across the globe. DHL counts its people as its greatest asset, ensuring that they get the best experience at the workplace and are continuously motivated to be productive.

DHL connects people and business through secure and reliable freight services that enable global sustainable trade flows and industry growth. It is called the “logistics company for the world” for all the right reasons.

JTI Vietnam

JTI has nine world-renowned brands of tobacco, each possessing is own distinct character and heritage brought together under unrivalled quality. As part of the company’s commitment to sustainability, it has innovated its product offering using state-of-the-art and smoke-free tobacco heating methods, resulting in reduced-risk products.

With more than 44,000 people globally, JTI’s multicultural business focuses on people and culture, creating a conducive working environment where employees’ personal welfare and creative insights are heard and recognized. In 2020, the company put emphasis on diversity and inclusion, which also earned them the Top Employer award.

Sanofi Vietnam

A global pharmaceutical company with presence in 24 countries, Sanofi’s passion to improve the health communities by combining breakthrough science with advanced technology has gained the company another Top Employer Award for 2021.

Sanofi Vietnam first achieved the award in 2019, and has been awarded Top Employer consistently after. The award, according to Sanofi Vietnam, validates the people practices and programs that make Sanofi a great place to work and an environment of empowerment and engagement.

Vinataba – Philip Morris HCMC Branch

Like its diverse products, Philip Morris International also has a diverse workforce around more than 180 markets. The company was in the first wave of American companies to enter Vietnam during the 1990s, when the country was rebuilding its economy. It was one of those that helped establish Vietnam as an investors’ haven.

Philip Morris products are manufactured and sold by the joint venture Vinataba-Philip Morris Limited. With about 350 employees, 100 of which work at Ho Chi Minh City, Philip Morris has created not just quality products but a strong workforce of innovative Vietnamese.

What they have in common

American salesman and author Zig Ziglar said, “You don’t build a business. You build people, and then people build the business”. He was right. Successful business leaders recognize the fact that a company’s growth is not just centered on revenues. Long-term survival relies on employees.

Vietnam’s Top Employer awardees for this year have created work environments where people would want to consistently come and be part of. How did they do it?

‘People First’ policy – Along with many social changes, workforces in any industry now know their rights, and are always vocal about them. It is every company’s obligation to put their employees’ welfare over anything else. With policies that ensure employees are given the right benefits, best talents will always choose to stay.

Modern and inclusive corporate culture – These companies successfully implemented a modern management culture that involves everyone. The terms ‘employers’ and ‘employees’ no longer matter; it’s about being one team with a unified goal. For Boehringer Ingelheim, a strong inclusive corporate culture leads to closer ties and loyalty among team members and to the company.

Individual development opportunities – When employees are given opportunities to grow personally and professionally, they become more passionate and productive, and they are more likely to stay than look for greener pastures. JTI Vietnam, for example, invests in training and developmental programs that allow its people to pursue their goals and develop their skills.