Singapore employers can decide on flexible work arrangements

This was spelt out by Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang in Parliament. She was responding to Member of Parliament Wan Rizal, who had asked if the government planned “to go beyond encouraging employers” to have FWAs as a permanent feature of the workplace.

“Even as we continue to ease safe management measures at the workplace, flexible work arrangements remain relevant and important to businesses,” said Gan, who is also the Minister of State for Education.

She added that many employers see the value of retaining FWAs as these strengthen business resilience and improve talent retention and attraction, and are keen to continue these arrangements beyond the pandemic.

“For the provision of FWAs to be a sustainable and effective permanent measure, employers will need sufficient time and support to find the right calibration that works best for their employees while meeting business needs,” she said.

READ: Singapore to set guidelines for flexible work arrangements

In the next few years, the tripartite partners will strengthen training for companies on how to implement FWAs in a feasible way which mutually benefits employer and employee, in areas such as human resource policies or job redesign, she said.