Singapore orders all employers to consider workers’ flexi-time requests

Workers in Singapore can now ask for four-day work weeks, more work-from-home days and staggered work timings starting from Dec. 1, underscoring the global trend of governments and companies relaxing office arrangements in order to retain talent.

The new guideline was announced on Tuesday by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, an agency set up by the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation. Employees will also be entitled to ask for other arrangements such as flexible work locations come the end of this year.

“Access to flexible work arrangements is often the main consideration for caregivers, women workers and senior workers when it comes to deciding to stay or return to the workforce,” said Yeo Wan Ling, co-chair of the Tripartite Workgroup.

While the guideline isn’t enforceable by law, it does require all firms in Singapore to set up a process for employees to submit a formal flexible-working arrangement request. Employers can reject the request on the grounds it would result in a significant worsening of productivity, a significant increase in cost or because it’s not feasible given the nature of the work.