Most Singapore employees experience 'fake flexibility' despite approved FWA requests

8 in 10 employees feel they were given false promises of remote, flex-time

Most Singapore employees experience 'fake flexibility' despite approved FWA requests

Majority of employees in Singapore feel they have been given "fake flexibility" after their requests for flexible work arrangements (FWA) have been accepted, according to a new report.

Remote's survey among 1,000 working parents in Singapore found that 56.4% of respondents said their employers accepted their flexible work arrangement request.

However, 82.1% feel they were given "fake flexibility," or false promises of remote and flex-time.

"This indicates a disconnect between policy and practice, highlighting the need for better implementation of flexible work policies," Remote's report said on its website.

The findings come ahead of Singapore's mandate on employers to consider employees' formal requests for FWAs starting December.

Under the mandate, employers are told to establish processes that will allow and consider formal requests for FWAs. The decision to accept them, however, remains with the employer.

Benefits of FWAs

According to Remote's report, more than eight in 10 working parents in Singapore acknowledge the benefits of flexible, remote, and hybrid work arrangements.

Some 81% said it would be most helpful for balance career and parental responsibilities, while 89.7% said they would consider having more children if given more flexible work arrangements.

"It's exciting to see that across the board, flexible work arrangements offer substantial benefits for working parents," said Job van der Voort, CEO and Co-Founder of Remote, in a statement.

"Employers must actively embrace the reality that remote and flexible working arrangements are key to realising the full potential of a well-supported workforce."