Work-from-home Arrangements for Employees Who Are unable to Take COVID-19 Vaccine

61 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Manpower for those unable to take the COVID-19 vaccine, whether the Ministry has considered requiring employers to allow them to continue their work-from-home arrangements as long as their jobs are amenable to such arrangements.

Mrs Josephine Teo: All employees, regardless of whether they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, should continue to practise public health measures such as the Safe Management Measures for the workplace. This includes adhering to the prevailing work-from-home requirements.

When a high proportion of the population is vaccinated, the risk of infection for those who have not been vaccinated is also indirectly reduced. Employees who are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, such as those who are severely immunocompromised or have a history of anaphylaxis, will thereby be better protected.

Should persons who are not vaccinated wish to continue working from home on a permanent basis, they may raise the request with their employers. We encourage employers to consider such requests sympathetically and explore mutually acceptable arrangements.