Chaminda Prabhath, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at HNB Finance PLC, reflects on why HNB Finance is among the Best 10 Workplaces in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance in Sri Lanka in 2021. “Employee experience encompasses what staff encounter and feel about their workplace,” Prabhath says. “At HNB Finance, we spare no effort in creating an exceptional workplace for our employees as we consider them our greatest asset; therefore, their experience matters. Our approach to employee experiences is holistic and centres around their wellbeing”.
What made HNB Finance one of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance in Sri Lanka in 2021?
To put things into context, HNB Finance PLC is one of the large-category financial service providers in the country with a staff strength of over 1,800 and annual revenue of Rs7167 million as of end-December 2021. From humble beginnings, as a microfinance company started under the concept of Grameen in 2000, we have grown to a fully-fledged financial services company with the backing of Hatton National Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in Sri Lanka. Further strengthening our position as an industry leader, we acquired Prime Finance PLC in December 2021, according to the CBSL Consolidation initiative, and are currently following the amalgamation process. Our valuable employees and the energetic workplace culture made all this possible and continue to be our competitive advantage.
The great workplace culture at HNB Finance helps mould physically and mentally sound individuals who enjoy a work-life balance, even during difficult times. Work from home, flexible working hours and the financial support offered through various employee welfare programs have helped our staff withstand the difficulties brought by the pandemic.
To uplift employee motivation, we introduced new employee engagement activities such as Virtual Awards Night and Coffee Chat to bring people together in a safe environment, adhering to health guidelines. In response, our employees showed remarkable commitment and loyalty by willingly contributing to continuing the essential operations, bearing the discomforts caused by the pandemic, helping us emerge as one of the Top 10 Best Workplaces in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance in Sri Lanka in 2021.
How important is employee experience at HNB Finance?
We ensure that they have a positive and fruitful relationship with HNB Finance by including them in the decision-making process regardless of rank and recognising and rewarding their achievements and hard work.
We promote career progression and job security and provide a conducive environment to carry out even the most challenging and demanding work in comfort. Everyone is free to share ideas or express an opinion. The continuous learning and professional development opportunities we provide are a great benefit to their careers, improve productivity and performance of the company, and lead to great customer experiences.
Can you take us through some of your initiatives that make HNB Finance a Great Place to Work?
REWARDS AND RECOGNITION: We have a company-wide incentive-based rewards scheme, and we host an annual awards night to recognise over-achievers and best performers. We also celebrate birthdays and life achievements because there is more to life than career or work, and we want all our employees to know that.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION: When filling a vacancy or creating a new role, we allow our existing employees to apply first, and opportunities are given with promotions whenever required. We have an eLearning system that focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of employees and the Highflyer Development Programme for mid-management and upper positions. There are other professional development opportunities we provide that are based on performance to reward those committed to continuously upskilling themselves. L
EADERSHIP: We have a decentralised leadership structure where employees are encouraged to take the initiative and share their thoughts and ideas. We provide leadership training and have a process to build and nurture the next layer of leadership that will take over the reins in the future.
BECOMING PART OF SOMETHING GREAT: From the first day they walk in the door, every employee is aware of the economic and social responsibilities of HNB Finance and the expectations of customers, investors, other stakeholders and society, and how each of them are contributing towards the fulfilment of those expectations.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: We are an equal opportunity employer and have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.
How would you describe the culture at your organisation, and how do you build and sustain a strong culture?
Each employee has a unique identity. Our vision and mission statements, our values, and even our company anthem embody and celebrate that diversity that comes together around a common purpose.
Instilling the values of integrity, respect, social consciousness, and empathy develop trust, while professionalism, innovation and relevance encourage transparency. Reinforced by good governance, these values give a strong orientation to the staff, and the corporate team I lead are personally committed to sustaining this value system in our company.
Considering the outlook for the finance company sector: why should prospective employees consider building a career with HNB Finance?
HNB Finance is the epitome of a great workplace – successful, growing, innovative and caring. Our ethos surpasses merely offering exceptional financial services to people and achieving great financial results. Instead, we are passionate about creating value for all stakeholders. Our staff are proud to be part of a multi-talented team guided by supportive leaders as they work in a positive atmosphere that motivates them to reach common corporate goals. Striving for the greater good of the wider stakeholder community, our employees can take pride in being part of a socially conscious effort in empowering all deserving segments of society. HNB Finance offers employees a more fulfilling journey than a traditional career.