
CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - How do smart workspaces shape the future?
CNA938 Rewind
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Hybrid fatigue, shifting priorities, and the pressure to deliver on sustainability and wellbeing: today's workplace looks nothing like it did just a few years ago. So how can companies keep up? Cheryl Goh speaks with Patrick Woo, Director, Human Resources (Asia Pacific) at Steelcase, on how smart, intentional workspace design can boost employee experience, build stronger workplace communities, and support new ways of working.
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - A plate of kindness goes a long way
For many seniors living alone, a simple meal can feel out of reach. That's where A Good Meal comes in - a student-led initiative from NTU that's serving more than just food. Cheryl Goh speaks with Chua Tze Hean, NTU medical undergrad and founder and Valerie Goh, team member of A Good Meal on how they're bringing warmth, conversation and connection to the lives of elderly Singaporeans, one meal at a time.
18 mins
CNA938 Rewind - Eat, Drink, Singapore - Winning Big with Pasta!
Elevating pasta on the world stage - fresh off his win as Singapore's Barilla Pasta Champion, Cheryl Goh speaks with Chef Felix Chong, Culinary Director of 1-Group, on his award-winning creation, and what's next as he heads to the Barilla Asia Finals.
17 mins
CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - How do smart workspaces shape the future?
Hybrid fatigue, shifting priorities, and the pressure to deliver on sustainability and wellbeing: today's workplace looks nothing like it did just a few years ago. So how can companies keep up? Cheryl Goh speaks with Patrick Woo, Director, Human Resources (Asia Pacific) at Steelcase, on how smart, intentional workspace design can boost employee experience, build stronger workplace communities, and support new ways of working.
19 mins
CNA938 Rewind - Syaz Smooth – keeping his late brother's memory alive in his music
In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Singaporean singer-songwriter-producer Syaz Smooth about his new mini album 'Bersamamu', which means "With You" in the Malay language. Syaz will explain how 'Bersamamu' is a tribute to his late brother and fellow singer-songwriter Shahfiq who died in a traffic accident in 2024 at the tender age of 27. Syaz will talk about the themes he addresses in the EP - grief, love, healing, and remembrance.
Discover more Singaporean music and musicians – like Syaz Smooth – at Hear65.com, an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon.
32 mins
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Menopause in the workplace: Is your company doing enough to support you through this transition?
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In Singapore, 66 per cent of women said that social stigma prevents them from openly discussing menopause symptoms – and seeking support in the workplace. One respondent said: 'I would like to talk about it. At the moment, it is not even acknowledged', while another hoped 'for managers to be understanding and considerate to those experiencing severe symptoms and help with timetable adjustments'. The White Paper also found that, locally, 71 per cent of female employees and 68 per cent of people managers say a menopause-friendly policy would benefit the organisation. However, only 31 per cent of companies have such policies in place. Christina Ang, founder and CEO of HeyVenus Integrated Healthscience, said that when unmanaged, menopause symptoms like fatigue, brain fog and anxiety can undermine performance, confidence and career progression. 'According to our APAC White Paper, over 50 per cent of women in Singapore who report that menopause symptoms affect their quality of life and work are in middle to senior leadership roles,' she told CNA Women. 'Yet most women don't speak up – 63 per cent report productivity loss due to symptoms but few seek support due to stigma or fear of being misunderstood.' This silent strain widens the gender gap in leadership by increasing absenteeism, contributing to talent attrition and disrupting succession planning, she added. In an ageing workforce, this is no longer just a women's issue – it's a structural leadership challenge. A SHIFT IN HEALTH CONVERSATIONS AT WORK In 2019, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) co-authored a local qualitative study involving perimenopausal women aged between 47 and 54 years, seen at the hospital, with the aim to increase the understanding of the experiences and needs of perimenopausal women with symptoms. 'Some women shared that they received good support from their employers, while others felt constricted by the nature of their work due to the gender bias placed against them,' said Associate Professor Rukshini Puvanendran, head and senior consultant, Family Medicine Service, KKH. 'While women hoped for better support, they did not expect it given the nature of Singapore's busy lifestyle.' Assoc Prof Rukshini, who is also co-director of KK Menopause Centre, said that, with more women in the workplace and rising retirement age, menopause-related health information in the workplace deserves more attention. Audrey Neo, senior partner at Page Executive, which specialises in human resources and consumer executive search, spoke with clients and industry leaders to gather views on the impact of menopause on the workplace. Menopause has long been a taboo subject in many cultures, including Singapore, and is not commonly discussed in the professional setting, she said. It can also be awkward to be singled out that one is going through menopause. 'However, as we move forward from the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in how we approach conversations around health and well-being at work,' said Neo. 'Singapore is becoming increasingly progressive in addressing topics once considered off-limits.' She cited the fact that Singapore's median age is rising. In 2000, the median age was around 34 years. In 2023, it was 42.7 years and is expected to hit 53years by 2050. 'Organisations will need to recognise the needs of employees in their forties and fifties, and hormonal shifts will be a health and wellness consideration and starting point,' said Neo. 'In the broader scheme of things, hormonal shifts affect men too, albeit differently, making this a conversation for everyone to empathise and participate in a safe environment. 'Additionally, framed within the broader context of diversity and inclusion, what kind of wellness practices that organisations incorporate to support employees going through hormonal shifts could be a good starting point to raise awareness on this front.' WORKPLACE MENOPAUSE SUPPPORT IS SMART BUSINESS Two women CNA Women spoke to shared how menopause symptoms affected them at work. Juanita Mega, 54, recalled two occasions in her previous job two years ago when she suddenly had heavy menstrual flow while in the office, resulting in her skirt being badly stained. Two of her colleagues saw what had happened and even though they were supportive, Mega felt embarrassed. 'Luckily, I had a shawl to cover up but I had to rush home to change, cancel face-to-face meetings and give an excuse about a family emergency,' she said. Mega also had other perimenopause symptoms – heart palpitations, night sweats and sleepless nights – and often had to rely on caffeine to perk her up in the mornings. Hazleen Ahmad, 53, experienced menopause symptoms such as brain fog, hot flashes and night sweats. It was while going through menopause that she was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Hazleen, who is deputy CEO of the Institute of Neurodiversity Global and president/chair of the Institute of Neurodiversity Singapore, said that 'the workplace of tomorrow must recognise that neuro developmental differences like ADHD and menopause aren't just medical issues – they're part of the rich tapestry of human experience'. Some companies in Singapore do offer menopause support. Standard Chartered expanded its medical coverage in 2023 to include treatment for menopause-related symptoms. It also has menopause toolkits, offers counselling support and organises talks for staff. HSBC Singapore also offers coverage for medical consultation and treatment of menopause. At S&P Global, a ratings and financial information provider, employees going through menopause can access an on-demand online education resource, a spokesperson told CNA Women. A Managing Menopause Toolkit is available to all employees and flexible work arrangements are on offer, including adjusted working hours and work-from-home options. There are also colleague-led support communities, to get together virtually or in person to share experiences and advice in a safe and supportive space. Dr Claudine Hyatt, a clinical psychologist and traumatologist, and a partner at mental wellbeing agency Cognitive Approach to Life Management (CALM) International, revealed that companies supporting women through menopause are not only compassionate – it's smart business. 'Midlife women are often at the peak of their professional expertise; failure to support them risks losing key institutional knowledge and leadership potential,' she said. 'Addressing menopause bridges a critical gap in gender-inclusive workplace policy – just as how maternity leave became standard, menopause support is the next frontier in fair workplace design,' she added. Dr Hyatt said that companies that prioritise women's health signal that they are forward-thinking and inclusive. And employees who feel seen and supported are more loyal, engaged and motivated. 'A workplace that supports women through menopause is a workplace that values longevity, equity and wellbeing. It's not just good ethics – it's good economics,' she said.
Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business Times
Japan still a draw as Singapore property players look beyond Tokyo
[SINGAPORE] Japan's property market remains a firm favourite among Singapore-based property investors, who continue to deploy capital into the country despite global interest rates coming down. What has changed, however, is the type of Singapore investor making these plays and where they are looking. Rather than newcomers to the market, many of today's buyers are those who have already invested in Japan and are now looking to expand their portfolios more strategically. Melvin Chay, senior director of capital markets at Knight Frank Singapore, said: 'While we still see pockets of investors that previously never had Japan on their radar, much of the capital inflows today are follow-on investments from investors that entered the market in the last two to three years.' These investors, who are now more familiar with the Japanese market, are also venturing beyond traditional 'Tier-1' cities such as Tokyo and Osaka to areas such as Kyoto and Fukuoka – which offer higher yields of up to 5 per cent. Chay said that investors are willing to increase their risk appetites and look beyond Tokyo to combat rising interest rates and ensure returns. 'We're also seeing investors targeting opportunities with redevelopment or additions and alterations angles, signalling a willingness to go up the risk curve to drive returns,' he added. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Beyond the usual suspects The first half of this year saw brisk movement in the Japanese market. In June, for instance, Frasers Hospitality launched Yotel Tokyo Ginza in a tie-up with British hotel chain Yotel. The 244-room accommodation targeted at business and leisure travellers is located in Ginza, a shopping district popular among tourists in the Japanese capital. It is Yotel's first property in Japan. While the tie-up marks Frasers Hospitality's first investment and development project in Japan, the hotel is its second asset there. Its first, a 124-unit rental apartment in Osaka, was acquired through a joint venture with real estate investment firm Alyssa Partners. ' Property yields in Japan remain in the 3.5-4% range, creating a positive yield spread that remains highly attractive to investors. ' — Melvin Chay, senior director of capital markets at Knight Frank Singapore Other Singapore-based investors have also been ramping up their exposure. Early this year, real estate and private equity firm Patience Capital Group partnered with Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital to acquire Tokyu Plaza Ginza in Tokyo. It also raised 39 billion yen (S$343.4 million) for its Japan Tourism Fund to revitalise ski-resort towns such as Myoko in Niigata and Madarao in Nagano. CapitaLand Investment has likewise been active. In December 2024, it acquired four self-storage facilities in Osaka, and followed up in June 2025 with a mixed-use property in Tokyo. Others have cast their sights farther afield. Far East Hospitality Trust's first Japanese hotel acquisition, announced in February this year, was Four Points by Sheraton Nagoya. The trust's managers noted that the location – in central Japan – has vast potential for tourism, and grants travellers access to other destinations such as Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa and Kyoto. Last year, CapitaLand Ascott Trust completed the acquisition of a 258-unit rental housing property in Fukuoka. More recently, it purchased two hotels, ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza and Chisun Budget Kanazawa Ekimae, for 21 billion yen. Why Japan still makes sense Even as global interest rates begin to decline, Japan's real estate market continues to present a compelling case for Singapore-based investors. The country's borrowing costs remain comparatively low. On Jun 17, the Bank of Japan maintained its benchmark short-term interest rate at 0.5 per cent, lower than that of most Asian markets. 'At the same time, property yields in Japan remain in the 3.5 to 4 per cent range, creating a positive yield spread that remains highly attractive to investors,' said Chay. Moreover, the yen's continued depreciation has made Japanese assets even more affordable for Singapore investors, enhancing the appeal of deals in both major cities and regional locations. ' Even if interest rates were to rise, Japan's interest rate is still among the lowest in the world. So you could still undoubtedly make a good yield spread here. ' — Jason Leong, head of investment and asset management at Frasers Hospitality Currently, S$1 is equivalent to about 113.58 yen. Five years ago, S$1 was equivalent to about 100.94 yen. This means that the yen has weakened about 12 per cent against the Singapore dollar over the last five years. 'Despite rising asset values in recent years, commercial real estate and hotel assets in popular tourist areas – such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto – remain appealing to investors looking to grow their presence in Japan,' said Carmen Lee, head of investment research at OCBC. Japan's popularity among tourists is also translating into investor interest, particularly in the hospitality sector. Visitor arrivals hit a record 36.8 million in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic highs. Jason Leong, head of investment and asset management at Frasers Hospitality, said that there is still 'a very visible yield spread' in hospitality property investments. 'Even if interest rates were to rise, Japan's interest rate is still among the lowest in the world. So you could still undoubtedly make a good yield spread here.' Frasers Hospitality is also confident in the growth of the Japanese market, he added. While there has been enormous growth in Japan tourism over the last decade, the tourism industry is not saturated yet, he noted. Looking ahead 'As one of the few mature markets with a relatively large investable stock in multiple cities and sectors, Japan will remain as a hot destination for Singapore property players,' said James Young, head of investor services for the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Cushman & Wakefield. Sectors such as hospitality, prime office and retail, senior housing, logistics and data centres continue to draw attention. Moreover, Singapore's market is limited in terms of assets available for acquisition. So most real estate investment trusts will look to add assets outside of the city-state for their earnings, said OCBC's Lee. While Japan remains hot, other markets are also warming up as global rates fall. 'The US, the UK, Australia and China selectively are now quite attractive from both pricing and long-term growth perspectives,' said Young. Investments in student housing and serviced apartments in cities such as London, Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul are also likely to rise.