Starting in December, every employee in Singapore who has completed their probation can request flexible work arrangements, according to CNA.
These changes address Singapore’s tight labor market and aging workforce, aiming to keep more seniors and caregivers actively employed.
It was announced on Tuesday (April 16) that, starting in December, firms in Singapore will be required to have a ‘formal process’ for their employees to request flexible work arrangements (FWAs).
3 types of flexible work arrangements
The guidelines outline three main types of flexible work arrangements:
- Flexi-place: Employees can work from locations outside the traditional office, such as from home or another remote location.
- Flexi-time: Employees have the flexibility to choose their work hours without altering the total hours they work. This can include starting and ending work at different times, working flexible shifts, or having a compressed workweek.
- Flexi-load: Employees can adjust their workload, which might change their pay. Options include sharing a job with someone else or working part-time.
Employees must submit detailed requests formally through a work portal or email.
Under the new guidelines, employers must respond to FWA requests within two months.
Although employers retain the right to deny these requests, their decisions must be justified with valid business reasons, such as cost implications or impact on productivity.
Reasons that are considered unjustifiable for denying requests are also outlined, promoting fairness in decision-making.
Failure to comply could lead to interventions by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP). The guidelines encourage open discussions and propose using internal grievance procedures to resolve disputes.
