'We believe fairness goes beyond policy – it's about creating a culture where individuals are seen, heard, and valued'
The Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) has welcomed the passing of the Workplace Fairness Law, calling it a milestone in advancing inclusive and respectful workplaces.
The Workplace Fairness Law (WFL), passed last week, aims to protect individuals from discrimination by employers on the ground of the following categories:
In a statement, SHRI president D N Prasad said the passing of the legislation is a "crucial step towards building a more inclusive workforce."
"At SHRI, we believe fairness goes beyond policy – it's about creating a culture where individuals are seen, heard, and valued," Prasad said. "We are committed to working closely with the HR community to make this vision a reality for all businesses, large and small."
According to the institute, it is ready to collaborate with organisations and HR professionals in fostering an inclusive and fair workforce.
"Moving forward, SHRI will continue to engage HR professionals and business leaders through ongoing training, workshops, and advisory services," it said.
"Our focus will be on equipping organisations with the tools to embed fairness into their core practices while providing targeted support to smaller businesses, particularly those with fewer than 25 employees."
The SHRI has been a part of the Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness since 2021 to represent the HR community.
As part of its efforts to promote fair employment, it hosted multiple WFL-related workshops and engagement sessions, including a Grievance Handling and Workplace Harassment course.
Singapore's WFL is expected to take effect in 2026 or 2027, with Manpower Minister Tan See Leng highlighting that the legislation is not a silver bullet in upholding workplace fairness.
"Even as we take this next step in our workplace fairness journey, please also let me emphasise upfront that the WFL is not a panacea," Tan previously said.
"Rather, it is an additional layer of protection that allows us to take certain actions against the more frequently encountered forms of workplace discrimination where there is societal consensus today."
