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SINGAPORE: A tripartite advisory was issued on Tuesday (November 17) to provide guidance and resources on mental well-being to Singapore’s workforce.
Tripartite Counseling on Mental Well-Being in Workplaces was developed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) in consultation with human resource professionals and associated social agencies.
“Increasing attention has been paid to the mental well-being of workers and it is increasingly recognized that a negative work environment can affect the mental health of workers,” the tripartite partners said in a press release.
“By contrast, workplaces that promote workers’ mental well-being are more likely to see higher productivity and reduced absenteeism.”
Human Resources Minister Josephine Teo introduced the notice in her keynote address at the Singapore Occupational Safety and Health (WSH) Conference, describing how “protecting workers’ mental health has become even more important.” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The tripartite notice sets out practical guidance on the steps employers can take to care for the mental well-being of their employees, and the resources that employers and the self-employed can take advantage of,” he said.
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Ms. Teo outlined the four key aspects of employer counseling.
“First, appoint and train mental wellness advocates to organize mental wellness programs, talks and workshops,” he said.
“Second, provide self-care training and equip HR managers and staff with skills to be caring leaders.
“Third, extend flexible employee benefits to cover mental health-related consultations and treatment or provide employees with access to employee assistance programs.
“Fourth, recognize the need for employees to have adequate rest after hours.”
In addition to providing resources and helplines that employees and the self-employed can use to safeguard their own mental well-being, the notice also offers health tips for work-from-home arrangements.
Quick tips on how to work from home. (Source: Tripartite Counseling on Mental Well-Being in Workplaces)
BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
John Ng, vice president of SNEF and president of the Workplace Safety and Health Council, said both employers and employees will benefit from the adoption of the advisory recommendations.
“The mental well-being of employees can affect their work, safety and health. Tripartite Counseling will help employers take proactive steps to take care of the mental well-being of their employees so they can stay focused on work, work safely and stay healthy, ”he said.
“In turn, employers will benefit from a healthy and productive workforce that can contribute to better business performance.”
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Gary Khoo, director of preventive health programs for the Health Promotion Board, said that awareness of mental well-being in the workplace has a positive impact on your work environment and will increase the ability of employees to respond to the challenges.
“By implementing mental wellness programs in the workplace, employees can be equipped with coping skills to handle the challenges they face at work,” he said.
“Employers can also train leaders in the workplace to identify and support staff who may have mental health and wellness issues. This will create a supportive work environment for better employee engagement. “
IMPACT OF COVID-19
The warning comes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created a number of challenges that can affect the mental well-being of workers.
“The recent COVID-19 outbreak has led many workplaces to adopt work-from-home arrangements as the norm,” the tripartite partners said. “This has blurred the lines between work and home, leaving employees feeling more stressed and facing a higher risk of burnout.”
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Mr. Melvin Yong, NTUC Under Secretary General, said the notice “will help reassure workers that safeguards exist to support their mental well-being.”
“In this extended period of telecommuting work arrangements, I understand that many workers face increased mental stress from juggling work and personal commitments while having to adjust to COVID guidelines and restrictions,” he said.
“The guidelines, in particular the part on establishing a policy of harmony between work and life for employees to rest and recharge after work, will benefit many workers, especially those who suffer and are at risk of burnout in the workplace.
“The Labor Movement is also committed to working with our unionized companies to adopt the recommendations and partner with our employers and the government to strengthen support related to mental health in the workplace.”
