“For us, employee experience is not one programme or one moment. It is built over time through how consistently we listen to, care for, and invest in our people,” affirms Paulo Cheong, Senior Vice President of Human Re
This article is brought to you by Sands China
For Sands China, creating memorable experiences starts with its people. Bringing together more than 28,000 team members of over 52 nationalities across more than 1,400 roles, the Macao-based integrated resort operator has focused on building an authentic employee experience guided by an employee value proposition (EVP) that reflects what employees themselves value most
At the heart of its employee experience strategy is a firm belief: “Our people are, and will always be, our greatest strength, and they remain central to our company’s strategy,” affirms Paulo Cheong, Senior Vice President of Human Re
This genuine commitment to its people has contributed to Sands China’s strong performance at the recent Employee Experience Awards 2026, where it earned accolades across 12 categories, received the Triple Crown of Employee Excellence honour, and was crowned the coveted Grand Winner
“These awards matter not merely as recognition of our achievements,” says Cheong. “But also because they remind us of our responsibility to keep building a workplace where people feel supported, respected, and able to grow.”
Building a culture of wellbeing and care
Employee wellbeing is deeply embedded in Sands China’s culture, focusing on four dimensions: physical health, mental wellbeing, family and social connections, and personal growth
Through its ‘Because We Care’ company culture and ‘Work Life 360’ benefits programme, the company takes a holistic approach to helping team members maintain balance in their work, family, and social lives, and promoting whole-person wellbeing
Recognising that a diverse workforce cannot be served through a one-size-fits-all approach, Sands China has focused on personalisation, technology-enabled wellbeing support, and cultural transformation
Examples include AI-powered health screening initiatives, 24/7 ‘Healthy Corners’ equipped with basic health assessment devices, family-friendly benefits such as ‘Child Care Leave’ and ‘Parenthood Support Shift’, and ‘The Golden Age Programme’, which supports team members as they transition into life after their careers through tailored activities, benefits and lifelong team member discounts
The impact has been significant. In 2025, more than 37,000 participations were recorded across wellbeing activities, reflecting strong engagement in initiatives designed to support employees at every stage of life
Fostering connection through communication
Equally important is ensuring employees feel informed, heard, and connected
Operating around the clock across multiple properties and languages, Sands China has transformed employee communication beyond simple information-sharing to foster greater alignment, accessibility, and trust across a large and dispersed workforce through a set of strategic platforms
Through integrated bilingual digital and face-to-face channels, including the internal website ‘myNET’, the mobile platform ‘myApp’, focus groups, engagement surveys, and executive fireside chats, Sands China ensures team members can access information, share feedback, and connect their daily work to the organisation’s wider purpose
Developing talent for the future
Believing that people are its greatest strength, Sands China places significant emphasis on helping the workforce build long-term careers and capabilities
Through the ‘Sands China Academy’, team members have access to diverse training programmes, professional development opportunities, and both vertical and horizontal career pathways. In 2025 alone, each team member received approximately 66 hours of paid training on average. A reward-based learning platform launched in 2026 now attracts around 2,000 participants daily. All these efforts highlight the company’s commitment to supporting the continuous growth and development of its team members.
Beyond traditional learning, Sands China has expanded leadership and specialist development initiatives, including fast-track programmes, cross-functional exposure opportunities, AI upskilling efforts, and partnerships with educational institutions in Macao and overseas. These initiatives are designed to build future-ready capabilities, while creating diverse development pathways for employees
Looking ahead, Sands China plans to further expand opportunities for self-directed learning, strengthen AI capabilities among managers, deepen partnerships with educational institutions, and continue investing in employee wellbeing and development
As Cheong explains: “A great employee experience starts with making people feel genuinely valued, often in the smallest details
“For us, employee experience is not one programme or one moment. It is built over time through how consistently we listen to, care for, and invest in our people.”
Photos / Sands China
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices – head over to our Behind the Win section!
Ready to be the next winning stars? Join our upcoming HR Excellence Awards to highlight your HR success, or enter the HR Vendors of the Year Awards to showcase your impact on clients’ talent strategies. Reach out to Gloria Yam to learn how you can enter the Awards and stand a chance to win
We’re also inviting senior HR professionals to join our esteemed panel of judges. If you’re passionate about recognising excellence and shaping the future of the industry, contact Selina Kwok to explore judging opportunities
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