Organisations should reassure staff that complaints are handling fairly, effectively
Employers in Singapore are advised to establish "different levels of appeal" in their grievance-handling process to ensure partiality in handling cases in the workplaces.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng offered the advice when asked how employees can be assured of impartiality and effectiveness of their grievance-handling processes regardless of the nationality of the grievance handling officer.
"Employers should put in place different levels of appeal so that grievances can be raised to appropriate parties if they are not resolved, or if there are perceptions of partiality," Tan said.
According to the minister, individuals who are part of the grievance-handling process should be trained to manage and investigate grievances independently and objectively, regardless of their nationality of background.
"The grievance handling process should provide a safe environment for employees to raise workplace concerns. Employees should be reassured that their complaints are handled fairly and effectively," he stated.
Employers who need further guidance should consult the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, as well as the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices' Grievance Handling Handbook and workshops.
A workplace fairness law is currently underway in Singapore, which will include a requirement for employers to establish grievance-handling channels to facilitate dispute within their organisations.
The upcoming legislation, which the government said won't be litigious in nature, aims to resolve disputes at the source as much as possible with an emphasis on mediation, according to the government.
