Measurable Workplace Mental Health Outcomes from Well-Being Champions Network and Addressing Career Disadvantage and Workplace Stigma
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measurable outcomes from the Well-Being Champions Network (WCN) and protections against workplace stigma and career disadvantage, raised by Mr Yip Hon Weng to the Acting Minister for Manpower. In response, Ms Jasmin Lau stated that performance data is not mandated or tracked to encourage participation, though WCN has expanded to 800 companies covering 300,000 employees. Affected workers can seek help from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, which received fewer than five disability- and mental health-related complaints annually over the past five years. Employers are expected to abide by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to ensure objective, job-relevant decision-making. Protections will be further strengthened when the Workplace Fairness Act takes effect in 2027, prohibiting adverse employment decisions based on mental health conditions.
Transcript
83 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) which measurable improvements in help-seeking, workplace stigma and employee retention have resulted from the Well-Being Champions Network since 2023, including a breakdown of outcomes by sex; (b) whether cases of workers suffering career disadvantage after disclosing a mental-health condition or seeking support are tracked; and (c) whether voluntary guidance remains sufficient to address such disadvantage.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The Well-Being Champions Network (WCN) is a community of practice for individuals to exchange best practices and access resources and training, to strengthen mental well-being within their organisations. To encourage participation in the WCN as a capability building network, the Ministry of Manpower does not require organisations to report on their mental well-being performance. Thus, data on help-seeking behaviour, workplace stigma and employee retention is not available. That said, WCN has gained significant traction since its launch in 2023, growing steadily from an initial 145 companies to 800 today, comprising over 2,000 champions and covering an estimated workforce of 300,000 employees.
Employees who have experienced career disadvantage following disclosure of mental health conditions or after seeking support may seek assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), TAFEP received fewer than five complaints on disability and mental health per year over the past five years.
Employers are expected to abide by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices and ensure that employment decisions are based on objective, job-relevant considerations. With the Workplace Fairness Act coming into force in 2027, this will strengthen protections against workplace discrimination by prohibiting adverse employment decisions based on mental health conditions.