Singapore’s restaurant chain Chang Cheng rewards long-time employees with 100 gold plaques worth $429,000

More than 100 workers who have been with the company for over 10 years received plaques said to weigh between 20 grams and 30 grams. The weight corresponded to length of service.

Employees with 10 to 14 years of service were given 20 grams of gold, those with 15 to 19 years received 25 grams, while staff with at least 20 years received 30 grams.

A restaurant operated by Chang Cheng. Photo courtesy of the company

Each plaque is reportedly made of 999 gold and engraved with the recipient’s years of service and the plaque’s weight.

The awards were packaged in red gift boxes from local jeweller SK Jewellery and placed in transparent frames, with employees’ names printed at the bottom.

Based on prices listed on SK Jewellery’s website, 20g of 999 gold costs about SGD5,420, which puts the estimated value of 100 plaques at roughly SGD542,000 or more.

A senior staff member, who gave his name only as Li, told the Chinese daily that such company banquets are held every few years and that this was his turn to be recognised.

"I'm very happy and will keep this as a memento to pass it on to my son," said Li, who received a 25-gram gold plaque after 19 years with the firm.

Chang Cheng Holdings started out as a Chinese mixed rice stall in 1994. It now runs about 160 restaurants, more than 30 coffee shops and 16 catering brands, with around 1,200 employees.

Founder and executive chairman Ricky Kok said that the plaques were meant to recognize employees’ commitment and effort.

"They have been with us through thick and thin. I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart," he said, adding that the company will continue to look for ways to reward staff.

Besides the plaques, high-performing stalls with strong sales were also given a SGD1,500 bonus, distributed by stall managers.

Some employees said that in previous years, long-serving staff had been rewarded with gifts such as Rolex watches.