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SINGAPORE: 575 companies received government subsidies to adopt flexible work arrangements in the first half of this year.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) gave up to S$10,000 per company to put in place equipment or processes that give workers more work-life balance, like working from home.
The ministry said studies show that giving workers more time to manage their lives make them more committed. It also leads to greater productivity, lower costs and help companies overcome the current downturn.
A day off for employees on their child's first day of school, or time out to take an elderly parent to see a doctor - these are just some ways businesses can provide for better work-life balance.
The MOM said 28 per cent of companies in Singapore adopted flexible work arrangements last year, an increase from 21 per cent in 2004.
"Companies will also have the ability to tap on a larger pool of workers, including older workers, as well as women workers who may require or appreciate more flexible working arrangements. So I think this will give the companies an added competitive advantage," said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong.
"This is important for the companies at this moment, even at the recession, to position themselves to enhance their competitiveness and prepare for the long term," he added.
The ministry said it will not make it compulsory for companies to adopt flexi-work arrangements.
It will instead work with unions to convince companies to have such arrangements. But proper guidelines must be in place.
"The company must be transparent about some of these guidelines and policies. They must communicate with all associates on what's available. They must make it fair. And they must fix the key performance indicators so that during the work appraisal, you have been targeted to perform at this level and you deliver," said Claire Chiang, chairperson of Employer Alliance.
The Employer Alliance said there is no one formula that fits all companies, and it's eventually up to the company to do decide which measures will meet their business needs and expectations.
A list of best practices is available online at this website.
- CNA /ls
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