Guidelines on FWA requests prompted 'more open conversations' on FWAs, minister says
The proportion of firms offering flexible work arrangements (FWAs) to employees has increased in 2024, according to Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang.
Gan told Parliament on Friday that more than 70% of employers across the country offered FWAs in the previous year.
"I am heartened that the proportion of firms offering FWAs increased in the last year from 68.1% in 2023 to 72.7% in 2024," she said.
The increase comes as Singapore introduced late last year the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests, which mandates employers to consider formal requests for FWAs from their employees.
Gan said it will take some time before the government can observe the impact of the guidelines on workplace norms and culture.
"However, I am happy to see that the Guidelines have prompted more open conversations about FWAs in the workplace," she said.
The minister cited the case of Sheng Siong Supermarket, which introduced staggered working hours for their office employees and alternative work schedules for frontline staff.
"For example, instead of a standard six-day work week, frontline employees may request a five-day, four-day or even three-day work week, with commensurate adjustments in the salary," Gan said.
According to the minister, Sheng Siong is leveraging FWAs as part of its strategy to retain employees.
"With a formal FWA policy in place, Sheng Siong is able to observe trends in their employees' needs, which helps the company identify ways to better support their employees," she added.
Gan said the introduction of Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests was done to facilitate a shift in workplace culture and norms, which can help build inclusive workplaces in Singapore.
Gan said the ministry is still working closely with trade associations and chambers, as well as community partners, to further raise awareness of the guidelines and help both employers and employees understand how these can help.
"Some partners have even gone further to develop resources to support their members in adhering to the Guidelines and implementing FWAs," Gan said.
"For instance, the Singapore Business Federation, or SBF, has helped raise awareness on the Guidelines through briefing sessions, and these have reached more than 650 companies."
A survey from the Singapore National Employers Federation carried out in September revealed that 81% of firms are ready to implement the guidelines, with another 70% saying they already have processes in place to assess FWAR.
