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APAC Edition
11th December 2024
 
THE HOT STORY
Remote staff threatened with office return if they don't Zoom
As Australian businesses increasingly demand a return to the office, many are enforcing a rule that employees must keep their cameras on during Zoom meetings. The shift comes as bosses express frustration over perceived disengagement among remote workers. Amanda Gordon, a workplace psychologist, said: "It really has been an opportunity for some people to not really show up," stressing that while no one should feel bullied, being present online is essential. The debate has ignited discussions on social media, with opinions divided on the necessity of cameras during meetings. Robin Boomer from Gartner for HR highlighted the importance of clear communication regarding camera use, noting that "if you don't do that, it allows imaginations to run wild." With 82% of Aussie bosses anticipating full-time office attendance in the next three years, the pressure on employees to comply with these new expectations is mounting.
WORKPLACE
Court bans mobile gaming and social media for staff during work hours
The Kerala High Court has introduced strict regulations prohibiting mobile phone use for personal activities during work hours, in a bid to enhance workplace productivity. In a memorandum dated December 2, 2024, the court highlighted concerns over employees engaging in online gaming and excessive social media use, saying that "any use unrelated to job duties will be considered a breach of policy." The directive, which follows similar warnings from 2009 and 2013, applies universally to all staff, with monitoring by controlling officers to ensure compliance.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Diversity training blamed for false claims of racism
Research from Lee Jussim at Rutgers University in the US suggests that extreme anti-racism rhetoric and diversity training may lead individuals to perceive discrimination where it does not exist. The study, conducted with the Network Contagion Research Institute, involved over 400 participants who read extracts from diversity scholars like Ibram X Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. Those exposed to these texts reported a 35% increase in perceived "microaggressions." Jussim observed: "This raises the possibility of whether this produced what has plausibly been described as a moral panic over racism over the last ten years in the US." However, Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of statistics, cautioned against directly linking these findings to diversity training, suggesting participants may have felt pressured to respond in line with the rhetoric presented.
LEGAL
ACT Government faces $265k discrimination payout
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has been ordered to pay $265,000 in damages to a former public servant after the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) found that it discriminated against her due to her "irrelevant" criminal history. The tribunal determined that the Community Services Directorate had acted unfairly by excluding her from the pay system and placing her on gardening leave without proper notice. Senior member Brian Meagher SC described the woman as having had a "troubled life," highlighting her difficult upbringing and past abusive relationships. Although she had secured a permanent position at the Canberra Institute of Technology in 2023, the offer was withdrawn following an investigation that revealed her criminal record. The ACT Government is currently considering its legal options regarding the tribunal's decision.
Deloitte sues three Asian partners
Deloitte is taking legal action against three of its Asian partners after finding they had passed sensitive information to a rival. The individuals, who worked at the Big Four firm’s Hong Kong restructuring and insolvency practice, reportedly procured details of Deloitte customers to forward to the rival as part of a plan to move nine Deloitte partners en masse to an unnamed competitor. Derek Lai, who formerly managed the southern regions of China and was the head of insolvency for the entire Asia Pacific region, was named in the suit, along with Adrian Chan, a turnaround and restructuring partner, and Forrest Kam. Deloitte claims the trio attempted to harm the firm by unlawful means and also breached their fiduciary duties to the business.
WORKFORCE
Singapore to introduce Chinese dialect classes for migrant domestic workers
Singapore's Center for Domestic Employees (CDE) will launch Chinese dialect courses, including Hokkien and Cantonese, for migrant domestic workers in 2024. Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang said that the initiative aims to enhance communication between workers and their employers, so fostering "trust and long-lasting relationships." Alongside language training, the CDE will collaborate with the Health Care Academy to provide advanced caregiving courses, including dementia and infant care. The initiative also includes free counselling services and mental health workshops in partnership with Silver Ribbon (Singapore). As of June 2024, there are over 294,900 migrant domestic workers in Singapore, constituting 19% of the foreign workforce.
Woolworths raises workers' wages to resolve strike action
Australian retailer Woolworths has resolved the strike action that had been affecting store service levels at it supermarkets after reaching an agreement with industrial union workers to increase wages. The company said that its individual enterprise agreement offers, which have been endorsed by the United Workers Union, guarantee team members a wage increase of about 11% over three years and address concerns over performance metrics.
CORPORATE
Head of union opposing U.S. Steel sale unconvinced of long-term viability
A Japanese takeover of U.S. Steel could spell the long-term decline of the firm, says David McCall, the head of the United Steelworkers, the powerful labour union which is opposing a mooted sale to Nippon Steel. Among McCall's top concerns is that Nippon may import steel into the U.S. from its international mills, a move which he says could erode the storied U.S. company. Nippon Steel wants to close the deal before President-elect Donald Trump - who has vowed to block the transaction - takes office on January 20.
STRATEGY
Target Corporation announces India as its second headquarters
Target Corporation has announced India as its second headquarters, with all parts of its US business represented at Target in India (TII). The company has around 5,000 employees working across various capabilities, including marketing, merchandising, properties, digital, data sciences, finance, supply chain, and technology. TII has been operating in India for nearly 20 years, playing a crucial role in Target's strategy and global growth roadmap.
ECONOMY
China's inflation woes deepen
In November, China's consumer price index (CPI) rose by only 0.2%, falling short of the 0.4% growth anticipated by economists in a Bloomberg survey. This marks a slowdown from October's 0.3% increase, highlighting ongoing economic weakness despite recent monetary policy easing. The CPI has hovered around zero since March last year, raising concerns about deflation and weak demand. Concurrently, the producer price index (PPI) fell by 2.5%, marking the 26th consecutive month of decline. Pan Gongsheng, the governor of China's central bank, said at a financial forum that “supportive” monetary policy will be crucial for countercyclical regulation next year, with plans to enhance structural monetary policy tools to bolster economic growth.
INTERNATIONAL
UK workers could sue over Christmas party snubs
The UK's Public and Commercial Services Union has told its members that they could have an employment tribunal claim if they have not been invited to a Christmas party and suspect it may be because of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity. The UK's largest civil service union warned: “Excluding someone from a work social event due to a protected characteristic such as gender, age, religion, or ethnicity, could . . . constitute discrimination.” Other protected characteristics include disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. Even last-minute decisions, such as having drinks in the office, where a person is not invited, could constitute discrimination. Additionally, HR expert Jim Moore said: “Employers organising a work Christmas party should beware two of the most chilling words in the English language: vicarious liability. A party that takes place out of office hours is still a work event, and leaders and managers can quickly find themselves in hot water for an employee’s bad behaviour. When wading through hundreds of employment tribunal cases relating to Christmas parties, it was alarming how many employers were ignorant of their duty to look after their staff.”
Unions strike after deadly blast at Italian fuel depot
Following an explosion at an Eni fuel depot near Florence where two people were killed and nine injured, Italy's major labour unions—CGIL, CISL, and UIL—have announced a four-hour strike on December 11, alongside a protest. The head of CISL, Luigi Sbarra, said that "all companies, large and small, must comply with regulations on accident prevention" and invest more on maintenance, safety checks and workforce training. A union representative said:  "We cannot remain silent in the face of such negligence."
OTHER
Thailand's Christmas trees steal the show
Thailand is showcasing its cultural diversity through 11 handcrafted Christmas trees displayed at Central shopping centres until January 5. Following the success of the 14m-tall Mok Panwa Christmas Tree in 2021, Central Pattana collaborated with local artists to create trees that reflect regional identities. Each tree, ranging from 5m to 20m, embodies local pride, such as the 15m Mok Panwa tree made from naturally dyed cotton at Central Chiang Rai and the Lanna Art Of Happiness tree adorned with traditional umbrellas at Central Chiang Mai.
 


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