World of HR: Singapore employers must consider flexible work arrangement requests under new law

Remote jobs and flexible work arrangements may be decreasing, but Singapore just introduced legislation giving workers a greater chance for flexibility.

Where in the world? By the end of the year, workers in Singapore will be entitled to request flexible work arrangements, including four-day workweeks, remote work, and flexible hours, according to a press release from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, under the Ministry of Manpower, which developed the legislation.

Under the new law, employers will be required to have a formal request process (including an explanation of how requests will be processed) and response time of less than two months. Employers won’t be required to provide flexible arrangements if they would impede business operations.

“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,” Yeo Wan Ling, co-chair of the Tripartite Workgroup, said.

The unemployment rate in Singapore is just 1.9%, and 73% of university students in Singapore indicate a preference for remote work, so it may be worthwhile for employers to be more flexible.

“Flexible work arrangements can be beneficial for both employees and employers. They enable employees to achieve better work-life harmony, and give employers a competitive advantage in talent attraction and retention,” Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Manpower, added.

Satellite view. Singapore has referenced existing models to craft its legislation. Europe has largely led the way on flexible work laws; Finland, the UK, and Ireland all have country-wide policies requiring employers to provide flexibility when possible.