GSK headquarters: where work meets play

GSK Philippines did not hesitate to invest heftily in its 1.2-hectare headquarters in Makati City.

Only a handful of companies can boast of providing employees ample room for work and several other amenities or avenues for self-improvement. Oftentimes, employees are given just enough space—a desk and chair—to perform their tasks.

Considering that the average hardworking Filipino spends at least eight hours or roughly half of his waking hours in the office, a conducive and healthy environment can be highly crucial in maximizing an individual’s full potential.

This is why pharmaceutical firm GSK Philippines did not hesitate to invest heftily in its 1.2-hectare headquarters in Makati City to develop “open and collaborative work spaces plus recovery rooms to invigorate physical, mental, emotional and spiritual human aspects.”

“At GSK, we ensure that we develop the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental faculties of an employee. It’s a holistic integrated development,” said GSK HR vice president Lito De Guzman in an exclusive interview with the Inquirer.

De Guzman explained that GSK employees are not only trained and developed to become future managers and leaders of the company. GSK also targets to harness one’s potential—the “genius” in every individual.

Much-needed boost

MEDITATION room is one of the four oscillation rooms that allow for holistic development.

After all, the employees of a company like GSK are constantly under pressure to meet quotas and deadlines. And as such, GSK believes that it has a duty to give employees a much-needed boost by providing them avenues to grow and develop.

“We want to raise the bar. It’s the concept of change and innovativeness, and in the Philippine office [sector] we are the trendsetter. We take the lead,” De Guzman noted.

Thus, in 2009 GSK overhauled its headquarters to enforce several changes and office space renovation. De Guzman even claimed that with these changes the GSK office should not even be viewed simply as an “office” but rather a “formation house” that develops employees across all aspects.

Aside from the usual amenities and basic rooms such as the pantry, auditorium and the like, GSK has also put up “recovery rooms” where employees can also enjoy some time off and rejuvenate. These recovery rooms refer to the four small oscillation rooms that consist of the mind-enriching game room, arcade-type basketball room, meditation room and a warm-up room.

A learning center was likewise incorporated to serve as a resource center that allowed employees to continuously learn and refuel their mental energies. The center is a library-inspired area where a wide-range of rich learning materials such as books, audiovisuals and periodicals are stored and can be borrowed.

Even the colors are well-thought of and carefully chosen based on the “vibe” it may convey to employees.

From the usual bland colors, the company decided to use white, which it said would allow for flexible thinking; green, for continuous improvement;

THE MIND-ENRICHING game room at the GSK headquarters

yellow, to be customer-driven; orange, which connotes people development; red, to enable and drive change; and blue, for building relationships.

AT GSK, employees are provided a room where they can relax and rejuvenate.

Feel that ‘energy’

And indeed, the renovation, according to De Guzman, allowed every member of the GSK family to feel that “energy” at his/her workplace.

“It’s now a feel good environment,” he added.

De Guzman believes that the company’s hefty investments in the renovations have more than paid off as the company now has a more contented, fulfilled, driven and competitive set of employees. Proof also was the fact that GSK holds the prestigious title of being the 2010 Employer of the Year, as it continues to promote the culture of transparency, openness and performance with integrity.

“In the end, the return on investment is higher as GSK Philippines continues to deliver its numbers through an exceptional team of employees. Despite tough market conditions, GSK continues to grow faster than the market and its key competitors,” De Guzman concluded.