BCDA Collective | Issue 3 2018

LOCATORS
The same principle is what drives Hansa
management. Their staff is their primary
concern. They do not look at their employees’
educational attainment; rather, the management
looks at their workforce’s passion, dedication
and will to do the work.
“To us, having a college diploma is not what’s
important, it’s the willingness of the person to
learn and be passionate about the work that we
do in Hansa,” Human Resource Officer Mariah
Malig says.
There are still, however, a few difficulties in the
workplace; one of which is maintaining low to
zero tardiness.
Malig recalls the experience they had when
Mamitag was at his lowest point. He needed to
take a leave from work several times to take care
of his son. It was not easy for Hansa to allow long
absenteeism but as soon as Mamitag returned
to work again, Hansa did not hesitate. They
welcomed him with open arms.
“In general, it’s not okay. We’re very strict when
it comes to attendance. As much as possible, the
allowable leave is only five days, especially when
it’s not health reasons. Pero we’re still humans at
bukod sa hindi biro yung pinagdaanan ni Ruel,
matagal na siya dito. Pamilya na namin siya dito,”
says Malig.
Mamitag is not an isolated case. Hansa has other
employees, too, who will suddenly not report to
work because of minor reasons, like waking up
late or not being able to catch a public transport
at the Clark Freeport Zone gates. But Hansa
extends its patience and understanding as much
as they could to encourage their employees to
become better and work harder.
“They would look at you hindi kung ano yung
mali mo but kung ano yung natutunan mo sa
Hansa. They would look at you kung ano yung
maitutulong mo sa kumpanya. That’s how we
are here,” says Malig.
Encouraging the employees to report to
work daily and achieve perfect attendance
is a challenge to Hansa, and for this, they
continuously develop HR programs that would
boost good work ethics among its workforce.
About a year ago, Hansa launched its free meal
program that aims to help employees lessen
their meal expenses by providing free lunch
every Thursday. A year after, the results have
been very positive. Before, about 50 employees
absent themselves from work per day, but the
free meal program helped decrease this number
to 20.
In the same year, Hansa also began its perfect
attendance incentive program that gives an
additional Php300.00 to Php400.00 increase for
any one who can maintain a perfect attendance
record in a month.
Hansa knows it still has a long way to go to
maintain a happy workplace, but what’s
important is that it has the heart to start
somewhere.
Doing their part for the
environment
Not only does Hansa care for its people but it is
also mindful of the environment.
Hansa’s stuffed animals are filled with fiber
made from recycled polyethylene bottles. All
Hansa toys undergo strict and tedious planning,
making sure that materials used for each
creation is eco-friendly.
Hansa also does its part in educating children
about animal protection, and the effects of
global warming and irresponsible destruction of
forests to animals.
The toy maker partnered with museums,
conservation organizations and educational
institutions, and opened its headquarters in
Clark for educational tours for students to learn
about the habitat and behavior of animals.
The next time you see a plush toy with a Hansa
tag, remember that so much love was put into it
so you too can share that feeling with someone
else. –With Michelle San Juan-De Vera
24 COLLECTIVE