Managing People and
Organizations
(MBAZG511)
Experimental Learning
Assignment Latest 2025
Guide
, Background:
The Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation, Limited (OCBC Bank) is a multinational
banking and financial services institution headquartered in the iconic OCBC Centre,
Singapore. Founded during the tumultuous period of the Great Depression, OCBC Bank
has evolved into a premier financial institution known for its unwavering commitment
to excellence and innovation in the world of banking.
Its diverse product portfolio encompasses retail banking, business and corporate
banking, wealth management, and insurance, serving a wide spectrum of clientele,
from individual consumers and small enterprises to large corporations and high-net-
worth individuals.
As of January 2022, OCBC Bank boasted a substantial employee base exceeding 29,000
Direct hires and more than 15,000 Agency Contractors underscoring its prominent
position in the Asian financial landscape.
In Singapore, foreign talent is increasingly sought after due to limited local expertise,
especially in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance. Banks, in particular,
require a contingent workforce to access specialized skills, like fintech and
compliance, which often demand a global perspective and experience that may be
scarce locally.
Maintaining a balanced workforce, complying with Singapore's employment laws, is
crucial. This balance ensures legal adherence while preserving employment
opportunities for citizens and harnessing global talent to benefit the nation's economy.
It's essential to strike the right mix of local and foreign employees, especially in
industries like banking, where foreign expertise complements the local workforce.
Banks often hire agency contractors to meet their technology project requirements
due to the dynamic and evolving nature of technology. Banks like OCBC often
undertake technology projects with strict timelines, requiring temporary workforce
solutions due to the scarcity of local technology talent and constraints on foreign
workforce numbers. Agency contractors play a pivotal role in this scenario, offering
banks the flexibility to rapidly scale their workforce, access specialized skills, and stay
agile in a rapidly changing tech landscape, all without the long-term commitments
associated with permanent hiring. This approach ensures that technology projects are
executed efficiently, enabling OCBC Bank to meet project deadlines and address
specific tech needs while remaining cost-effective and adaptable to market shifts
Creating a work culture where permanent and agency contractors are not
differentiated is crucial for fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity within a
bank. This approach promotes a sense of belonging and equal contribution among all
team members, ensuring that the best talent, regardless of employment status, works
together seamlessly to achieve the bank's goals while reinforcing a harmonious and
productive work environment.
Problem Statement:
" Addressing Disparities Between Vendor Employees and Direct Hires: A
Case Study on Workplace Discrimination at OCBC Bank"
Workplace discrimination, a persistent issue in many organizations, poses a
significant challenge that needs to be addressed with utmost urgency. In the context
of OCBC Bank, a renowned multinational financial institution, disparities between
Organizations
(MBAZG511)
Experimental Learning
Assignment Latest 2025
Guide
, Background:
The Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation, Limited (OCBC Bank) is a multinational
banking and financial services institution headquartered in the iconic OCBC Centre,
Singapore. Founded during the tumultuous period of the Great Depression, OCBC Bank
has evolved into a premier financial institution known for its unwavering commitment
to excellence and innovation in the world of banking.
Its diverse product portfolio encompasses retail banking, business and corporate
banking, wealth management, and insurance, serving a wide spectrum of clientele,
from individual consumers and small enterprises to large corporations and high-net-
worth individuals.
As of January 2022, OCBC Bank boasted a substantial employee base exceeding 29,000
Direct hires and more than 15,000 Agency Contractors underscoring its prominent
position in the Asian financial landscape.
In Singapore, foreign talent is increasingly sought after due to limited local expertise,
especially in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance. Banks, in particular,
require a contingent workforce to access specialized skills, like fintech and
compliance, which often demand a global perspective and experience that may be
scarce locally.
Maintaining a balanced workforce, complying with Singapore's employment laws, is
crucial. This balance ensures legal adherence while preserving employment
opportunities for citizens and harnessing global talent to benefit the nation's economy.
It's essential to strike the right mix of local and foreign employees, especially in
industries like banking, where foreign expertise complements the local workforce.
Banks often hire agency contractors to meet their technology project requirements
due to the dynamic and evolving nature of technology. Banks like OCBC often
undertake technology projects with strict timelines, requiring temporary workforce
solutions due to the scarcity of local technology talent and constraints on foreign
workforce numbers. Agency contractors play a pivotal role in this scenario, offering
banks the flexibility to rapidly scale their workforce, access specialized skills, and stay
agile in a rapidly changing tech landscape, all without the long-term commitments
associated with permanent hiring. This approach ensures that technology projects are
executed efficiently, enabling OCBC Bank to meet project deadlines and address
specific tech needs while remaining cost-effective and adaptable to market shifts
Creating a work culture where permanent and agency contractors are not
differentiated is crucial for fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity within a
bank. This approach promotes a sense of belonging and equal contribution among all
team members, ensuring that the best talent, regardless of employment status, works
together seamlessly to achieve the bank's goals while reinforcing a harmonious and
productive work environment.
Problem Statement:
" Addressing Disparities Between Vendor Employees and Direct Hires: A
Case Study on Workplace Discrimination at OCBC Bank"
Workplace discrimination, a persistent issue in many organizations, poses a
significant challenge that needs to be addressed with utmost urgency. In the context
of OCBC Bank, a renowned multinational financial institution, disparities between
