Says there are way ‘for employers to be creative and also receptive to different types of flexible work arrangements'
Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang has assured that there is opportunity for employers to be creative on flexible work amid fears that such arrangements could hamper productivity.
Gan said during a visit at the AsiaOne office that some employers are concerned that flexible work arrangements (FWAs) could impact productivity as there are certain jobs that aren't suitable for such arrangements.
"We see that there are opportunities for employers to be creative and also receptive to different types of flexible work arrangements," Gan said as quoted by The Straits Times.
"Some employers have told us that if the employees are willing to consider different forms of flexible work arrangements, they can reach good outcomes most of the time."
This concern among Singaporean employers reflects the fears of many business leaders that began amid the pandemic, when remote work was still the norm for many workplaces.
But there have been various research, including one from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), that said flexible working can boost productivity and performance at work.
"The number of hours worked, the way in which they are organised, and the availability of rest periods can significantly affect not only the quality of work, but also life outside the workplace," the ILO report said.
Impact on recruitment
AsiaOne is one of the employers in Singapore implementing a FWA system, granting employees six days of FWA every month.
Tan Thiam Peng, company spokesman, told The Straits Times that the system has attracted new staff, noting that a "significant number" of applicants are asking them about working from home or flexible work arrangements.
"It seems to be a major appeal and pull factor for people to want to join us, which helps us employ better people as well," Tan said.
The spokesperson also noted the impact of the arrangement on productivity, saying: "The flexibility actually motivates them at work."
'Normalising' FWAs
In Singapore, a new tripartite group has been formed to develop a set of guidelines that employers need to follow if they plan to implement FWAs.
Gan's visit to AsiaOne included the other members of the tripartite workgroup, such as Yeo Wan Ling, director of the National Trades Union Congress' women and family unit, and Edwin Ng, Singapore National Employers Federation's honorary secretary.
According to Gan, their upcoming guidelines also aim to address employees' fears on asking for FWAs.
"The guidelines, when published, will try to normalise this process of requesting for flexible work arrangements," Gan said as quoted by The Straits Times.
The upcoming guidelines are set to be introduced this year and will build on the Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements.
Singapore has long been encouraging employers to embrace FWAs after they have become popular during the pandemic.
According to Gan, there have been 12,000 organisations in Singapore that are already adopting the Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements.
