Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times: Asian Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact during COVID-19

ASIA BUSINESS COUNCIL HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 3 4 Esquel Group (Hong Kong) Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times Wellness Initiatives Yang is also particularly proud of the emphasis on health and wellness in Esquel’s corporate culture, which played a critical role in the launch of the DET30 mask and allowed for its rapid adoption across the firm. Esquel had wellness initiatives long before the pandemic started. The program is aimed at maintaining a healthy work-life balance for employees and includes tai chi classes, mindfulness workshops, and seminars on different aspects of wellness, as well as the recognition and alleviation of mental health issues by building a supportive environment. Over the years, the company has also worked to improve the health and safety of its frontline workers by educating them on practices such as wearing shoes while in the factory or washing their hands after using the toilet. While these habits may seem basic to most, many workers in developing countries were not brought up this way. For example, some Sri Lankan workers at Esquel were accustomed to going to work barefoot. On bathroom hygiene, Yang exclaimed, “Toilets are critical! While everyone focused on the masks, it is also about handwashing, having clean water, and having proper sanitation, particularly in a crowded environment.” Yang vividly recalls going to a lecture where they talked about how toilets are the most important indicator of how a McDonald’s store is managed. In her words, “I believe toilets are the easiest way to see if a factory is well-managed, too. Not the VIP toilets, but the regular toilets. That has been an indicator that we use.” Tai Chi at Esquel’s Sustainable Development Garden in Guilin China