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SINGAPORE: After more than a year with working from home as the default, employees may face change once again, as Singapore announced on Wednesday (March 24) a shift towards a more “flexible and hybrid” way of working.
More employees will be allowed to return to the workplace starting April 5, and split team arrangements will no longer be mandatory.
There will also be no limit on the proportion of an employee’s work time that can be devoted to the workplace.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also issued updated requirements for safe management measures in the workplace. This is what you need to know:
1. STAGED START TIMES, FLEXIBLE WORK TIMES
Employers should ensure staggered start times to ensure that staff members are dispersed and reduce the potential congregation of staff at office entrances or lobbies. This will also reduce congestion of people in public places, including public transportation, MOM said.
Flexible working hours should also be allowed for employees who may choose to split their working hours between office and home.
These new measures apply to general work environments where more employees can return to better support business operations and in-person collaboration. Specific workplaces, such as construction workplaces and shipyards, may have additional requirements to meet and should reference industry-specific requirements.
2. WORKING FROM HOME IS STILL ENCOURAGED
Since the risk of COVID-19 transmission still persists, employers must ensure that no more than 75 percent of employees, up from 50 percent today, who can work from home are in the workplace in any moment.
Employers are encouraged to support as many employees as possible to work from home as this will help limit the number of people exposed in the workplace at any one time and reduce overcrowding in common areas.
Companies should also continue to hold virtual meetings to the extent possible, MOM added.
3. MAINTAIN “WORK HARMONY AND SHELF LIFE”
The MOM ad said work-from-home measures should allow employees to “maintain work-life harmony” while continuing to meet business needs.
According to the Tripartite Advisor on Mental Well-Being in Workplaces, employers can support employees by appointing “mental well-being champions” to raise awareness about mental health. They can do this through talks on stress management, emotional regulation, and relaxation techniques.
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Employers can also provide access to counseling services, for example, through Employee Assistance Programs. These services allow employees to speak with a professional about their work and non-work related challenges.
4. SPECIAL CARE FOR VULNERABLE EMPLOYEES
Companies are urged to pay particular attention to vulnerable employees, such as those aged 60 and over, and patients who are immunosuppressed or with co-occurring medical conditions.
Employers are encouraged to take appropriate steps to reduce their exposure to the risk of infection, such as allowing these employees to work from home or commute to work during off-peak hours. These people can also be temporarily reassigned to another role within the company.
5. UP TO 50 PEOPLE AT WORK EVENTS
Work-related events must meet a limit of 50 people to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection, with a minimum safety distance of 1 m between all individual attendees.
Meals should also not be the main feature of the event and employers should avoid hosting events during meals as much as possible.
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MOM said food or drinks should only be served if they are “incidental” to the workplace event, for example, if the meeting is extended to lunchtime. Food should also be served individually with participants seated while consuming and the time these people are unmasked while eating should be minimized.
6. SOCIAL MEETINGS REMAIN LIMITED TO 8
While up to 50 people are allowed at work-related events, that farewell lunch still counts as a “social and recreational gathering,” which means a party of eight is the limit, under current guidelines.
This also applies to things like team bonding activities, inside or outside the workplace. Meetings involving more than one group of eight are not allowed, MOM said.
7. EMPLOYERS WILL ENSURE ENOUGH MASKS AND DISINFECTANTS
Do you need to change your mask at work? Your employer must ensure that they have enough masks for all employees.
This includes any need to replace masks more frequently due to workplace conditions, such as in humid environments or call centers where the nature of the job may require frequent mask changes.
“Wherever possible, employers should consider improving the work environment for employees so that they can keep wearing masks,” MOM said.
Employers must also provide cleaning agents such as liquid soap and toilet paper, as well as sanitizing agents such as hand sanitizers, sprays, paper towels, or wipes.
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