International Business Brilliance Awards 2025 | Corporate Wellness / HR Team of the Year  | Gold Award Winner: Jobplus |  Team/Project Name: The People Management Department at Jobsplus

In this edition of Behind the Brilliance, we spotlight Jobsplus, proud winner of two Gold Awards at the HR Brilliance Awards™ — for Brilliance in Corporate Wellness and Brilliance in HR Team Initiatives.

Led by Dr Ing. Christopher Micallef MQR, Department Manager (People Management), Jobsplus has championed collaboration between HR and management, integrating data insights with human empathy to ensure every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

In our conversation, Dr Micallef shares how Jobsplus’ people-first philosophy has transformed its workplace culture — from reducing absenteeism and boosting engagement to embedding wellness and professional development at the heart of its success.

1. Congratulations on winning two prestigious GOLD Awards for your outstanding corporate wellness strategy and HR team initiatives. What does winning these awards mean to Jobsplus and your team?

Winning these two prestigious GOLD Awards is a tremendous honour for Jobsplus and a testament to our commitment to fostering a healthy, supportive, and engaging work environment. These accolades recognise our HR team’s hard work and dedication in developing impactful wellness strategies that prioritise employee well-being, as well as the numerous projects undertaken by the People Management Department to better understand the Corporation’s employees. They also reaffirm our belief that investing in our people leads to a stronger, more motivated workforce. This achievement inspires us to continue innovating and enhancing our initiatives to ensure that Jobsplus remains a great place to work.

2. Your corporate wellness strategy focuses on a holistic approach to employee health, combining physical, mental, and emotional wellness. How has this integrated approach impacted employee engagement and retention at Jobsplus?

At Jobsplus, we believe a holistic approach to employee wellness is key to fostering a thriving, motivated workforce. By integrating physical, mental, and emotional well-being into our corporate wellness strategy, we have seen a significant positive impact on employee engagement and retention. Our initiatives promote a healthy work-life balance and a supportive culture where employees feel valued and empowered. As a result, we have observed increased productivity, stronger team collaboration, and higher job satisfaction, all of which contribute to a more engaged and committed workforce.

3. The Jobsplus Wellbeing Strategy has led to measurable improvements, including a 50% reduction in absenteeism. What key factors do you believe contributed to these significant results?

The remarkable reduction in absenteeism is a direct result of our comprehensive well-being strategy, which prioritises the overall health and happiness of our employees. Several key factors contributed to this success. First, our proactive approach to mental health support, including counselling services and appropriate training, has helped employees feel more supported. Second, our focus on physical wellness, through ergonomic workplace enhancements, has encouraged a healthier lifestyle. Third, fostering a positive work culture with flexible work arrangements and employee recognition programs has strengthened engagement and motivation. By addressing well-being holistically, we have created an environment where employees feel valued, leading to improved attendance and overall job satisfaction.

4. The integration of competency mapping with the performance appraisal system has greatly improved employee development. How did the collaboration between HR and management drive this innovation?

The successful integration of competency mapping using appropriate academic research with our performance appraisal system was driven by strong collaboration between HR, Jobsplus employees and management, ensuring alignment between employee development and organisational goals. HR played a pivotal role in identifying key competencies required for various roles, while management provided insights into employee potential. Through regular consultations and feedback loops, and rigorous statistical analysis following feedback from Jobsplus employees, the People Management Department designed a system that not only evaluates performance but also pinpoints growth opportunities for each employee. This collaborative effort has enhanced career development, improved skill matching, and fostered a culture of continuous learning, ultimately strengthening both individual and corporate success.

5. With a focus on employee well-being and development, your wellness initiatives have positively affected productivity. Can you elaborate on how your wellness programs have contributed to improved performance, especially in terms of problem-solving and customer centricity?

Our wellness initiatives have proven to be a catalyst for improved productivity by nurturing both the mind and body. When employees receive appropriate training, they experience enhanced cognitive function. This improvement in focus and mental clarity directly translates to better problem-solving capabilities. Employees are more energised and resilient, which enables them to approach challenges creatively and work more effectively in customer-focused environments. By fostering a culture of well-being, we are also encouraging team members to engage with clients more empathetically and responsively, ultimately bolstering customer centricity and driving overall performance.

6. The integration of data-driven insights from the competency indicator tool has been instrumental in improving job performance. What challenges did you face during its implementation, and how did you overcome them?

Implementing the competency indicator tool was a transformative step in enhancing job performance, but it came with its challenges. One of the primary hurdles was ensuring Corporation-wide adoption and engagement. Employees and managers needed to understand the value of data-driven insights in personal development and performance improvement. To address this, the People Management Department had to explain the value of this exercise and provide ongoing support to ensure appropriate training programmes for the competencies identified as needing to be addressed for all Jobsplus employees.

Another challenge was integrating the competency tool with our existing performance appraisal system to ensure seamless functionality. Through these efforts, the People Management Department successfully embedded a culture of continuous learning and improvement, maximising the impact of the competency indicator tool on job performance.

7. Through wellness initiatives like stress management workshops and mindfulness sessions, Jobsplus has helped employees manage mental health. How does this contribute to creating a positive and supportive work environment?

The People Management Department at Jobsplus believes that a positive and supportive work environment starts with employee well-being. Our wellness initiatives include team-building activities, stress management training and mindfulness information. These played a crucial role in fostering a workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. These programs help employees develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve emotional resilience, and reduce workplace stress, leading to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being.

By prioritising mental health, we create a space where open conversations about well-being are encouraged, reducing stigma and promoting mutual support among colleagues. This not only enhances teamwork and collaboration but also leads to higher engagement, productivity, and retention. Ultimately, our commitment to wellness ensures that Jobsplus remains a workplace where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

8. The People Management Department at Jobsplus has shown an impressive ability to drive organisational transformation. Can you discuss how your team’s focus on competency-based development has aligned with broader corporate objectives?

At Jobsplus, the People Management Department plays a vital role in driving organisational transformation. By identifying key skills and competencies required for both current and future business needs, we have designed targeted development programs that enhance employee capabilities while directly contributing to organisational growth. This strategic approach has improved workforce agility, enabling employees to adapt to evolving demands and deliver higher performance. Additionally, by fostering a culture of continuous learning and career progression, we have strengthened employee engagement and retention. Ultimately, our competency-based development programme ensures that Jobsplus remains a forward-thinking, innovative Corporation, equipped with a highly skilled and motivated workforce ready to achieve long-term success.

9. How does Jobsplus define ‘brilliance’ in terms of employee wellness and HR practices, and how do these principles translate into daily operations and organisational success?

At Jobsplus, we define ‘brilliance’ in employee wellness and HR practices as the ability to create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. This means fostering a culture that prioritizes holistic well-being—physical, mental, and emotional—while also implementing HR strategies that drive engagement, growth, and inclusivity. In daily operations, this brilliance translates into wellness programs that promote work-life balance, leadership development initiatives that nurture talent, and data-driven HR practices that ensure continuous improvement. By embedding these principles into our organizational framework, we have enhanced retention. Ultimately, our commitment to brilliance in wellness and HR practices fuels a high-performing, motivated workforce, which drives Jobsplus’ long-term success.

10. Employee well-being is a key focus at Jobsplus, with initiatives ranging from ergonomic workstations to flexible work arrangements. How has fostering this type of culture helped Jobsplus become an employer of choice?

Fostering a culture that prioritises employee well-being has been instrumental in making Jobsplus an employer of choice. By offering initiatives such as ergonomic workstations, flexible work arrangements, and wellness programs, we create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. This commitment to well-being shows that we genuinely care about our employees’ health and work-life balance, which has not only enhanced job satisfaction but also attracted top talent seeking an organisation that aligns with their values. Our culture of support and flexibility has contributed to higher engagement, productivity, and retention, making Jobsplus a place where people are eager to build long-term careers. This approach not only benefits our employees but also drives the Corporation’s overall success.

11. Looking ahead, what plans do you have to further innovate in both corporate wellness and HR management at Jobsplus? How will these strategies continue to enhance employee experience and organisational success?

Looking ahead, we are committed to continuously innovating in both corporate wellness and HR management at Jobsplus. Our plans include expanding wellness programs to address emerging employee needs, such as mental health support, mindfulness training, and personalised wellness initiatives. We are also exploring integrating advanced technologies, such as wellness apps, to provide employees with real-time health data and personalised recommendations to improve their well-being.

In HR management, we plan to further enhance our talent development strategies by leveraging data analytics to identify skill gaps, predict future workforce needs, and offer more tailored learning and development opportunities. Additionally, we aim to continue fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and has equal opportunities for growth.

These strategies will contribute to an enhanced employee experience by empowering individuals to take control of their well-being and professional development. By prioritizing innovation in wellness and HR, we will not only strengthen employee engagement and retention but also drive organizational success through a highly motivated, skilled, and healthy workforce.

Celebrating Brilliance

Jobsplus has demonstrated that employee well-being and organisational excellence go hand in hand. By embedding wellness, learning, and innovation into its culture, Jobsplus continues to inspire progress — proving that true brilliance begins with people.