Tripartite Workgroup Formed to Develop Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements

On 7 September 2023, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM“) announced that a new Tripartite Workgroup (“TWG“) had been formed to develop the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (“Tripartite Guidelines“). The TWG includes representatives from the Government, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and other professional bodies. 

Currently, employers are already encouraged to adopt the Tripartite Standard on Flexible Work Arrangements (TS-FWAs) which provides best practices in implementing flexible work arrangements (“FWAs“) and handling FWA requests.  With FWAs in place, employees can have better work-life balance. Employers who offer FWAs benefit in turn from a more engaged and productive workforce which will also help attract and retain talent.

However, it is a known fact that Singapore’s population is not just ageing, but ageing rapidly. By 2030, almost one in four Singaporeans would be over 65. There is therefore a clear need to address the aspirations of employees to fulfil their caregiving commitments and at the same time continue to discharge their work functions effectively by remaining in or re-entering the workforce. Providing appropriate FWAs would address this need.

Key Deliverables of the TWG

The Tripartite Guidelines, which will be launched in 2024, will ensure that FWA requests are fairly considered in a practical manner, taking into account considerations from both employees and employers. The Tripartite Guidelines will also seek to build mutual trust and understanding between employers and employees when discussing appropriate FWAs that would support their needs and specific circumstances.

The key deliverables of the TWG are the following:

(a)       guidelines to ensure fair and proper consideration of FWA requests, taking into account the needs of both the employees and the employers; 

(b)       a strategy to help employers and employees comply with the guidelines; and

(c)       recommendations to foster effective and sustainable provision and utilisation of FWAs.

The TWG will submit its recommendations to the Government.

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