Preparatory Work and Training to Equip Companies to Implement Flexible Work Arrangements
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Joan Pereira’s inquiry regarding the progress of preparatory work for the 2024 Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) and implementation challenges for small and medium enterprises. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng replied that the Tripartite Workgroup is currently consulting stakeholders and will build on existing resources like employer workshops and the Playbook for Hybrid Workplaces. He noted that feedback highlights the need to balance employee requests with business outcomes to avoid compromising operations. Some SMEs specifically cited limited manpower and a lack of dedicated human resource personnel as significant barriers to effective FWA implementation. The Workgroup will incorporate these considerations into the new guidelines to better support employers and practitioners in promoting sustainable flexible work practices.
Transcript
68 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Manpower with reference to the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) to be launched in 2024 (a) what is the current progress of the preparatory work and training to equip companies to implement FWAs; and (b) what are the main challenges or issues that have been surfaced by small and medium enterprises that may prevent them from implementing FWAs.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Tripartite Workgroup for the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests is currently deliberating the scope of the Guidelines. We are also actively consulting employees, human resource (HR) professionals and employers, including SMEs.
The Workgroup will also make recommendations on how to promote the effective and sustainable provision and utilisation of flexible work arrangements (FWAs). These will build on existing initiatives by the Tripartite Partners, such as workshops run by the Singapore National Employers Federation and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, and the Playbook for Hybrid Workplaces developed by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals.
In our engagements with employers, many have emphasised the importance of recognising the very diverse needs and constraints of different types of businesses, of striking a balance between accommodating employees’ FWA requests and not compromising business operations and outcomes. Some SMEs have also shared that they lack dedicated HR resources and have limited manpower to implement FWAs effectively. The Workgroup will take into account these feedback in designing the Guidelines and consider how best to support employers and HR practitioners, including SMEs.