Big Walk 2016: Walking and bonding with 'second family'

What better way is there to bond with your colleagues and one another's families than at The New Paper Courts Big Walk?

Mr Mau Teck Hwee, 57, a senior sales and marketing manager, is married with two sons, aged 18 and 22.

He told The Paper on Sunday that power transmission belt manufacturer Mitsuboshi Overseas Headquarters is his second - and extended - family.

"We take our families to these company outings so that we can all get to know one another, our spouses and our children," he says.

"I have been working here for a long time, so we are like one big Mitsuboshi family."

Every two months, the Mitsuboshi Recreation Committee (MRC) plans a company outing for employees.

Employees have been to countries like Bhutan and Phuket, among many others. They have conducted a variety of activities, like bowling and trekking together.

FUN

The New Paper Courts Big Walk at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari has become the next event for them.

Mr Henry Tan, 63, director, says: "MRC (members) usually have to organise the company outings, which can be quite tiring, but for The Big Walk, we can just be there to join the fun."

Mr Lim Thiam Lye, 51, human resource and admin manager, is also the chairman of MRC. He says: "Going to the Big Walk is kind of a get-together for the company (employees) to let go (and relax).

"These bonding sessions are a great way for us to get together outside of the office."

While some other walk events have fewer than 20 employees signing up, it was different for the Big Walk.

The 31 employees and their family members, totalling 58,will be participating.

This is the second Big Walk for them.

COLLEAGUES: (From left) Mr Henry Tan, Mr Lim Thiam Lye and Mr Mau Teck Hwee. TNP PHOTO: OH XING YEE

Mr Tan says his colleagues feel that the goodie bags this year are very attractive.

Their most recent trip was to Bintan this year.

Mr Mau says: "There was this one dinner we had where there was a dance performance (at the restaurant).

"Some of my colleagues actually went to perform with the dancers. Everyone was so sporting."