Inspired by a post-COVID world, Pledge to Flex is an SAP workplace program designed to ensure that employees around the globe can opt to work from home, remotely, or at the office. Recently, SAP Japan reviewed its HR regulations as part of the initiative to enable its staff to work autonomously.
The German enterprise software giant has been at the forefront of modern workplace transformation since the onset of the pandemic almost two years ago. Aside from enabling the growth and development of organisations, it has also focused on safeguarding the wellbeing, health, and safety of the workforce through intelligent technologies and continuous innovation. Additionally, SAP has long advocated for flexible working models for its over 100,000 employees — striving to adapt to the world of work in the new normal.
In a LinkedIn post, SAP APJ President Paul Marriott commended SAP employees’ strength and resilience in adjusting to the ever-evolving business environment despite a few pandemic surges hitting most countries across the region. He stressed:
“Into 2022, our success will continue to be defined by the spirit of our people.”
“That’s why initiatives like Pledge to Flex, allowing our people to work anywhere and anytime, as well as our new hybrid working spaces, are important to create inclusive, flexible, and more productive work environments,” Marriott detailed.
Implementing Pledge to Flex
In June of last year, the tech giant further reinforced its advocacy on remote working by implementing Pledge to Flex. The initiative is a 100{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} flexible and trust-based global framework tailored to support employees’ productivity, creativity, and passion while still operating the business ethically and fulfilling business requirements.
Moreover, the policy also reflects the surveys conducted by SAP which found that more than 80{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of its people prefer a combination of working from home or remotely with some time in the office. Pledge to Flex seeks to create an inclusive environment that allows employees to decide where they want to work, as well as build appealing office designs that promote collaboration, community, and focused work.
Demonstrating the company’s programs on hybrid working, the SAP Southeast Asia (SAP SEA) office in Singapore was transformed from being a traditional workplace into an open, activity-based environment. Unveiled in November last year, the project was aimed at catering to today’s changing workspace needs and bolstering the company’s commitment to empowering its employees for the future of work.
Reinforcing the SAP Workplace Initiative in Japan
Meanwhile, SAP Japan recently evaluated its HR policies to ensure that people can work freely and independently while maintaining strong motivation and good mental and physical health. (InsideSAP Asia often references articles from websites in other languages to bring you as much information as possible.) The company’s office in Osaka was also remodeled to make it more dynamic and capable of creating new value for partners, customers, and employees.
Based on three key concepts — location, time, and workspace — SAP Japan said that it will continue to offer teleworking to enable employees to carry out their responsibilities and duties from an offsite location other than the office. It was also indicated that the company will promote collaboration and results-oriented work styles, on top off introducing additional selective benefits services that suit each employee’s lifestyle.
“By combining the merits of face-to-face communication in the office with work styles that utilise telework, we will establish a hybrid work style and increase employee motivation and work efficiency,” the press release stated.
Furthermore, it was also mentioned that the offices of SAP Concur in the country will be merged and relocated in August this year to realise a flexible working model. Commenting on the overhaul, SAP Japan Co., Ltd. President and Representative Director Hirofumi Suzuki wrote in a LinkedIn post:
“We are also very much looking forward to the grand opening of our Tokyo office. We aim to enhance the performance of each employee, contribute to the success of customers.”
