MOM: Employees should continue WFH after circuit breaker

Employees in Singapore should go to the office only when there is no alternative and checks will be conducted to make sure companies comply.
By: | June 1, 2020
Topics: Asia-Pacific | Employment Law | Hybrid Working | News | Singapore | Southeast Asia

Employers in Singapore should continue adopting work-from-home arrangements as a default option for the first two phases after the end of the ‘circuit breaker’ on June 2, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The MOM added that employees should go to the office only when there is no alternative and that checks will be conducted to make sure companies comply.

Employers who do not ensure that workers work from home where possible, or whose workers do not adhere to safe management measures, may be ordered to shut their premises.

All social gatherings, team bonding activities and birthday celebrations must be cancelled or deferred. Employers must also ensure employees do not socialise or gather in groups at the workplace, including during meals or breaks.

They should not organise social gatherings outside the workplace, and employees should not socialise outside working hours,

“Employers must ensure employees do not socialise or congregate in groups at the workplace, including during meals or breaks. Employers should not organise social gatherings outside the workplace, and also remind employees not to socialise both during or outside working hours,” said MOM.

For employees who must go to their offices, the SafeEntry digital check-in system has also been enhanced to allow them to state that they do not have fever or flu-like symptoms when entering the workplace.

MOM also provided additional guidelines on safety measures such as workers ferried in transport provided by employers must wear a mask at all times while seated in the vehicle, and should not talk or interact while they are in the vehicle.