Addressing the needs of employees with flexible work arrangement 

While flexible work arrangements offer advantages to both employers and employees, smaller organisations face obstacles due to having fewer employees, resources, and networks.

However, employees can benefit from such arrangements, as they contribute to improved job satisfaction, higher retention rates, and increased workforce engagement.

Employers can also leverage on flexible work arrangements to cater to the diverse needs and expectations of employees from different demographics and backgrounds. Recognising this, a recent dialogue held at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Singapore emphasised the importance of a collective effort to promote family-friendly workplace norms.

Speakers at the dialogue include Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, who highlighted that different generations prioritise different aspects at work, with baby boomers valuing loyalty and stability, while millennials seek flexibility and work-life balance.

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To attract and retain talent across generations, it is crucial for employers to understand the unique needs of each demographic and be creative in offering flexible work options. These, Indranee said, may include flexible working hours and staggered hours, hybrid working arrangements, or a flexible workload based on the needs of employees and the organisation.

She also encouraged more organisations, including SMEs, to support flexible work arrangements, adding, “If you do that, you will be able to attract (employees) for your organisation and at the same time build a Singapore core, which is very important to us as a nation,” she said, reported The Straits Times.