The Group promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace, embracing the unique perspectives of employees from over 20 nationalities. This commitment to diversity strengthens our ability to serve a broad customer base and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace. By fostering equal opportunities and attracting exceptional talent from various backgrounds, we create a collaborative and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive.
The Group maintains a healthy gender balance, with women comprising 46% of our total workforce as of 31 December 2024. In addition, 48% of the senior management positions are held by women. Employees are recruited, evaluated and compensated based on their merit, experience and knowledge. We foster a culture of open communication where employees can seek feedback and collaborate with supervisors to enhance their performance. In 2024, 100% of property business employees and 94% of hospitality business employees received feedback through annual appraisals.
As at 31 December 2024, over 30% of our property business employees and 20% of our hospitality business employees were above the age of 50. The skills, knowledge and experience held by this group of employees play an important role in the success of our organisation. To foster a cohesive work environment and bridge generational differences, we offer workshops that promote the understanding of the unique perspectives, work styles and values across different generations.
The Group currently employs 27 PWDs across our Singapore properties. In 2024, seven PWDs from our hospitality business received long service awards for tenures ranging from three to five years. Our hospitality business collaborates with special education schools, non-profit organisations and other disability support organisations to provide internships and employment opportunities for students with disabilities. To raise awareness about disability inclusion, we organised Disability Awareness talks for all employees at the UOL corporate office, frontline employees, employees at all hospitality properties and mall tenants. These sessions equipped our employees with knowledge about the different types of disabilities and proper etiquette for interacting with PWDs.
In October, our hospitality business received the Enabling Mark (Platinum) accreditation, which is the highest national recognition for exemplary disability-inclusive hiring practices. Furthermore, one of our employees was awarded the Enabling Champion (Changemaker) Award for outstanding efforts in integrating employees with disabilities and championing inclusivity within the community.
A Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) series comprising four sessions was conducted by a deaf colleague for employees in our property business who were interested in enhancing their communication skills and embracing diversity. The interactive sessions encouraged active participation and allowed employees to practise signing in a supportive environment. The sessions were both educational and engaging, offering employees the opportunity to learn the basics of SgSL, including essential signs and phrases for basic communication. Beyond language, the sessions provided insights into the experiences of the deaf community, fostering empathy, understanding and inclusivity.
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace, we have updated our Dress Code Policy, which explicitly prohibits any attire or behaviour that could be perceived as disrespectful or offensive. We remain dedicated to promoting a culture where all employees feel valued, respected and included. We will continue to take proactive steps to educate and raise awareness.