All Singapore-based employers must have a process in place by December 2024 for workers to make formal request for flexible work arrangements in Singapore. In fact, this rule is part of the new Tripartite Work Group Guidelines which take effect on December 1 this year.
Flexible Work Arrangements Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released a statement on April 16 backing the new rules by the Workgroup. The guidelines aim to make it easier for employees to request FWAs. These new rules apply to all employees including those who just passed probation.
The mandatory guidelines offer 10 recommendations on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs). This includes how employees should request them and how employers should handle them. The Tripartite Workgroup state these rules are modelled after those in places such as Australia and United Kingdom.
There are three types of flexi-work arrangements in the guidelines. These are Flexi-Place where employees can work outside the office in other locations, Flexi-Time where employees can work at different times more suitable to them, such as 4-day work weeks, with no change to workloads or work hours, and Flexi-Load meaning employees can take on different workloads including part-time work and job sharing.
The guidelines state all employers must give a valid reason for its approval or rejection within two months from the date the formal request is submitted. Each written request must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
However, employers have a right to deny any requests but they must give justifiable reasons for this denial such as costs or productivity. Additionally, MOM states that employers who refuse to comply with the new guidelines may receive warnings.
In particular, these flexible work arrangements will allow caregivers and seniors more opportunities to work in Singapore. Plus, it will attract talent who seek flexible office working environments. A flexible work arrangement was popularised by the COVID-19 pandemic.