Employees at this company get to chill out at its coffee bar and pool tables!

An office with a fully equipped coffee bar (complete with a barista!), pool tables, comfortable sofas and board games at the chill-out lounge – these are just some of the perks that British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT Malaysia) employees enjoy on a daily basis!

“This is a workplace where people not only work hard but play hard!” says Samanmali Chandrasiri, Human Resources (HR) Director of BAT Malaysia.

The company reinforces its position as an employer of choice that puts its people first. This has not gone unnoticed as it was awarded the Top Employer Award Malaysia and Asia Pacific for 2018 for its exceptional employee offerings that include talent strategy, workforce planning, learning and development, performance management, leadership development, compensation and benefits, and culture.

We focus on potential and development, and fully support talent to grow and thrive.

A ‘work family’ that is high in energy, delivering with integrity and fully result-driven, BAT Malaysia’s employees are made out of an open-minded, diverse and transparent culture. Says Samanmali, “BAT is known for giving you roles that you don’t think you are ready for; they like to take risk on talent. We focus on potential and development, and fully support talent to grow and thrive.”

Hiring based on business needs, BAT Malaysia is consistently on the lookout for new skills and expertise that can contribute to the company. Aside from the Global Graduate Programme (GGP), which is open throughout the year, departments such as marketing, brand marketing, finance and legal are open to candidates with the right potential.

To further quicken career progression, the company has also shorten the GGP from two years to a year, sending their candidates to the UK for a two-week training course, encouraging networking with other countries.

Samanmali says one needs to be passionate, a curious learner with bold and courageous perseverance, and regularly thrive on challenges to succeed in the company. Samanmali’s advice? “Be yourself. Be authentic. And always be open with your skills and strengths, as well as areas of development. Talent today should align their values with the company’s, as it needs to match, ultimately giving you a deeper purpose when you come to work each day so it is not just a job but a part of a community,” she says.

Numerous benefits are rewarded to those deserving it such as unlimited medical coverage, Flexible Benefits Programme (a unique benefit system whereby employees are able to choose how they use money from their flex bond to meet individual needs), as well as maternity and paternity benefits.

“At BAT Malaysia, building a dynamic and innovative workplace is of key importance. We always strive to be a step ahead in creating the right environment for talented and passionate people to excel,” says Samanmali.