What makes a worker exemplary?
Is it the profit that he rakes in for his company? Or is it the prominence of his work that puts the organisation on the map?
Sometimes a model worker is not all those things; it can be as simple as adopting a “never say no” attitude in the face of adversity.
This is but one trait of 50-year old Kong Sing Chew, Banquet Senior Craftsman from Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford, and recipient of this year’s Model Worker Award at the May Day Awards 2021.
The father of two has been with the hotels since 1988. Like many others working within the tourism industry, he was not spared from the economic fallout that followed COVID-19.
The business started to slow.
“There were still multiple jobs and tasks to be completed even though business levels had gone down. After I managed to clear all the repairs, I was transferred to the engineering department to help with repairs for other areas in the hotel. This included guestrooms, public areas and the F&B outlets.
“But I just felt fortunate and thankful that despite the business lull, I still had a job and was busy working, contributing, and helping wherever I could,” said Sing Chew in Mandarin.
Even though Sing Chew was generally happy to be working, a part of him was sad for his non-local colleagues.
He said: “All of us [Singaporeans] are still employed with the company, except for some foreign colleagues. Our Malaysian counterparts who had gone back home were subsequently unable to return due to Malaysia’s Movement Control Order.
“It was unanticipated and unfortunate. I feel sorry for them.”
Besides assisting at the engineering department and repairing furniture and fittings for the F&B outlets, Sing Chew was assigned to handle repairs and touch up work in the guestrooms.
During this time, he observed and adapted to the safety and hygiene requirements necessary when entering any guestroom – adhering to all the safe management measures.
Beyond these tasks, he helped with banquet service as the hotel had stopped hiring part-time service staff to manage expenses amid the challenging business climate.
His willingness to try new things never faltered.
Eventually, Sing Chew reached a point where was little more that he could do to contribute around the premises.
Then in April 2020, he was seconded to NTUC FairPrice where he worked as a retail assistant.
“It was certainly a different environment and experience for me.
“I was responsible for daily display and replenishment of 800 grocery products on the shelves. I needed to check and ensure the shelf life of the different products were still good for sale, and I also had to provide a certain level of customer service,” he said.
But Sing Chew took the new role in stride. He performed so well that his secondment was extended for another three months.
When Sing Chew returned to work at the hotels, he assisted with queue control at the Fullerton Health Vaccination Centre set up in the hotel.
Today, he is assigned to the artistry team – helping to fabricate food holders for a new F&B outlet.
When asked if he had any advice for other workers who may be in a similar situation, he said: “As workers, we should learn to be adaptable and flexible to tide over this changing work environment. We need to adopt a can-do attitude and be prepared to learn and take on new job tasks or roles so we can continue contributing to the company.
“Maintain a positive mindset and be proactive; stay resilient to the changes happening around us. This will help the company manoeuvre these difficult times and ensure our job security.”
Sing Chew remains hopeful for the future and awaits the return to normalcy.
“In the meantime, I will continue to do my best and be a contributor to this company as I love and am grateful for my job,” he said.
