Watsons Thailand recognised for people initiatives at Asian Management Excellence Awards 2026

The company was recognised for sustained initiatives that strengthened workplace inclusion and employee wellbeing.

Watsons Thailand received recognition at the Asian Management Excellence Awards 2026 for Thailand Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year - Retail and Thailand Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Retail.

The recognition reflected multi-year people programmes implemented across Watsons Thailand’s retail stores, offices, and distribution centres nationwide, covering a workforce of six thousand employees. The awards acknowledged formal structures, participation outcomes, and reported engagement indicators linked to workforce inclusion and employee wellbeing.

Embedding inclusion

A formal diversity and inclusion strategy guided Watsons Thailand’s workforce practices, with leadership accountability forming a central pillar of implementation. Clear policies covered recruitment, career progression, and compensation reviews, whilst structured interview processes and diverse selection panels reduced bias within people processes. Progress tracking formed part of regular leadership reporting, allowing performance against diversity and inclusion indicators to remain visible across business units.

Operational initiatives translated these commitments into daily practice. Workforce engagement activities included Pride Month programmes, gender equality partnerships, and open employee forums that facilitated direct communication with senior management. Education-to-employment pathways expanded through dual vocational training programmes, whilst age diversity initiatives introduced roles for retired pharmacists aged 60 and above. Internal engagement surveys reflected strong results in commitment to organisational goals and sense of belonging, whilst career advancement data showed significant internal promotion outcomes for female employees. Customer experience indicators also recorded sustained scores above 90 points, linking inclusive workforce practices with service delivery outcomes.

Advancing employee wellbeing

Employee wellbeing formed part of Watsons Thailand’s broader people and sustainability framework, supported through an organisation-wide health and wellness programme designed for scale and adaptability. Oversight from a dedicated internal committee guided programme development across four areas: mental wellbeing, physical health, social connection, and financial education. Activities combined professional services such as counselling and health talks with structured group programmes delivered across multiple operational locations.

Participation exceeded 90% across wellness activities, reflecting sustained engagement rather than one-off attendance. Feedback collected after programme delivery indicated lower reported stress levels, improved work-life balance, and stronger interpersonal connections amongst colleagues. Programme adjustments followed employee input and emerging health needs, allowing activities to remain relevant over time. Integration into routine operations supported workforce morale, retention, and day-to-day productivity across the retail network. 

The Asian Management Excellence Awards celebrates the finest business leaders, innovators, and companies in Asia, recognising exceptional achievements in employee engagement programmes, diversity and inclusion projects, and health and wellness initiatives.

The Asian Management Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].