It was in March 1976 when Zaleha Mansor stepped into Princess House to report for her first day of work at HDB’s then-headquarters. Zaleha initially started out in a parking enforcement role, but has since undertaken various other positions within the organisation during her 44-year career, to provide endearing homes for Singaporeans.
United by a Mission
Zaleha’s current role at the Bedok Branch requires her to attend to feedback and appeals from the public on a range of estate matters. “I applied to work at HDB as I felt it would offer me job stability, and stayed on for so long because I find the job meaningful. I can make a difference in helping to make the living environment more comfortable for the residents,” Zaleha says.
Besides the people she works with in Bedok Branch, Zaleha also counts her daughter, Noryusnita Md Yatim, as her colleague. Noryusnita, who has been with HDB for 22 years, said her decision to apply for a job with HDB was partly influenced by the job satisfaction that she saw her mother derive from working in the organisation.
Noryusnita works in the HDB sales department and conducts eligibility checks for buyers of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. During BTO launches, she also guides customers who need help with submitting their flat applications electronically. For her efforts in creating positive service experiences, Noryusnita was recognised with a M.A.G.I.C (Making a Great Impact on Customers) Award. The awards are given out by HDB to recognise service role models within the organisation.
“I am always happy when I see families get their own homes. I feel honoured to know that I have contributed in some way to help them achieve their home ownership dreams,” she says.
Through the Decades
Between them, the mother-daughter pair has contributed more than 60 years of service to HDB, and seen the organisation evolve through the many challenges it faced, while remaining steadfast in its mission of delivering affordable, quality, and well-designed public housing.
Similarly, the HDB workforce has over the years transformed in step with the organisation. “When I first started working, everything was done manually and in hard copy,” Zaleha recalls. “Today, we are much more forward-looking, innovative, and productive. Now, many things are done digitally, with a click of a button. Although it was difficult to adapt at first, I have become comfortable with technology. It’s certainly more convenient to have online systems.”
Despite the organisational transformation over the years, the teamwork and camaraderie among colleagues have remain unchanged. “The friends I have made in HDB have enriched my life and given me lots of wonderful memories,” Zaleha says. “As I now work in the Branch, I always look forward to attending courses at HDB Hub, so that I can meet and catch up with my old friends from other departments.”
Noryusnita echoes her mother’s sentiments. “My wedding was like an HDB Family Day,” she recalls with a laugh. “My mum’s colleagues, both old and new, as well as my colleagues—they were all there to celebrate with me. It was wonderful to see everyone that day.”
“Home to us, is a place where families can live comfortably and create happy memories together,” Zaleha and Noryusnita say. “We are lucky to be able to help families achieve their vision of an ideal home through the work that we do.”