Building an Inclusive Workplace Through Technology: BAT’s Winning Strategy
Learn how British American Tobacco builds an inclusive workplace using AI hiring tools, talent platforms, and real-time feedback systems.
For British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (BAT Malaysia), inclusion is not merely a corporate talking point but a core value embedded in every aspect of operations, from hiring practices to employee development.
This commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where innovation works for everyone has earned the company recognition as a winner of the LIFE AT WORK Awards (LAWA) 2024 under the Technology for Inclusion category.
“At BAT, we’re not just adapting to the future of work, we’re building it,” says Bambang Hartanto, Area Commercial HR Partner.
Removing Bias from Day One
The Malaysian office of the London-based tobacco and nicotine products company has pioneered the use of technology to eliminate unconscious bias from its recruitment process.
BAT Malaysia’s approach to inclusion begins at the recruitment stage, where they pioneered the use of Pymetrics. This neuroscience-based assessment platform evaluates candidates through gamified tasks designed to measure cognitive traits and decision-making patterns.
At the end of the assessment, the platform generates a merit-based report that hiring managers then use to assess candidate fit based on their thinking patterns and potential rather than where they studied or their prior experience.
“At BAT, we believe fair hiring starts with removing unconscious bias from the very beginning,” explains Sarveena Devi, People Experience & Change Partner.
The platform evaluates candidates’ thinking rather than focusing on which university they attended or their background, creating a more equitable foundation for talent acquisition.
Opening Doors Through Digital Innovation
BAT Malaysia’s Talent Marketplace platform exemplifies how technology can democratise access to growth opportunities within an inclusive workplace.
Accessible to all employees, this online platform provides diverse pathways for development and connection across the organisation.
The platform utilises an AI matching tool that aligns employee interests with available opportunities, including short-term roles, mentorship programmes, and networking possibilities across BAT’s global operations.
Cray Ch’ng, Assistant Commercial Finance Manager, notes that the platform curates tailored learning experiences based on individual skills and interests, creating personalised development pathways for each employee.
Listening and Acting on Feedback
BAT Malaysia’s commitment to inclusion extends through continuous employee engagement via the ‘Your Voice’ survey, conducted biannually to gather real-time insights on employee sentiment and workplace needs.
Aleena Saad, HR Commercial Partner, emphasises that this is not a box-ticking exercise. The company uses these insights to facilitate two-way conversations, identifying what is working and what requires attention or improvement.
The survey’s impact is evident in several policy enhancements, including improved medical insurance coverage, enhanced parental leave programmes, and greater flexibility in leave arrangements.
Perhaps most telling is the survey’s consistent 100% completion rate. “I think the most amazing thing about this is that we don’t have to ask people to participate in it,” says Aleena.
“I think that’s the most beautiful thing, that because people actually believe in whatever they are sharing, we’re actually hearing their voices.”
Supporting Well-Being Across Diverse Needs
Recognising that employees have diverse needs and working arrangements, BAT has developed year-round initiatives addressing physical, emotional, and social health through technology-enabled solutions.
From step challenges and nutritional information to webinars on stress and financial wellness, the company tailors programmes to accommodate employees across various profiles, including working mothers, remote workers, and those based in the office full-time.
This approach reflects BAT’s broader philosophy of putting A Better Tomorrow™ into practice, starting with the health and inclusion of its people.
Leveraging Technology for Purposeful Inclusion
For BAT Malaysia, winning at LAWA 2024 affirms that the company is using technology not merely to digitise human resources, but to humanise work itself.
As organisations across Malaysia seek to leverage technology for more inclusive workplaces, BAT Malaysia’s approach demonstrates that when innovation is designed with equity at its core, technology becomes a powerful enabler of belonging and opportunity for all.
About the LIFE AT WORK Awards
The LIFE AT WORK Awards is Malaysia’s most comprehensive award framework for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Organised by Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), the Awards recognise and celebrate organisations that champion inclusivity, embrace sustainability, and transform lives and communities. Learn more about Malaysia’s DEI champions at www.lifeatwork.my.
