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SINGAPORE – Beginning next Monday (September 28), more people will be allowed to return to the office in the most significant relief from restrictions on workplaces since the circuit breaker was imposed in April.
This is because Singapore has managed to keep the number of Covid-19 cases in the community relatively low, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said.
Here are the answers to some questions you may have about the new guidelines.
1. Can my boss require me to return to the office even if my work can be done from home and I prefer to do it?
Yes. However, your employer must ensure that you work from home for at least half of your work time. This must be calculated over a “reasonable period of time” not to exceed four weeks.
If you are a part-time worker, the requirement will be prorated. For example, if you work three days a week, you need to be in the office only 1.5 days a week.
Your employer must also ensure that no more than half of the people who can work from home are in the office at the same time.
2. I want to go back to the office full time because my home is not conducive to work. I can do it?
As long as you can do your work from home, you should work from home at least half the time. Employers will be required to demonstrate business or operational reasons why staff cannot work from home, despite reviewing work processes and arrangements.
3. Will my days of leave count toward the total number of days I spend working from home?
Yes. For example, if you normally work five days a week, you are allowed to return to the office for 2.5 days a week. If you decide to take two days off that week, your boss can still require you to return to the office for 2.5 days. Then you will spend the remaining half day working from home.
4. I have to attend external meetings and events for work reasons. Are these counted towards the number of days I spend in the office?
Yes. Since working from home is still the default option, work or training done outside of the office will be considered time spent at the workplace.
5. My boss wants me to come back to the office for regular meetings. Is allowed?
Yes, although the Government has said that the meetings should be held virtually as far as possible. Physical meetings between employees and suppliers or contractors should be minimized.
An example of a flexible work arrangement would be for staff to return to the office for meetings only and work from home for the rest of the day.
6. I have a chronic medical condition that has weakened my immune system. What should I do if I have to go back to the office?
Employers should pay special attention to workers who are most vulnerable to the virus. Your employer must make arrangements such as allowing you to work from home and provide you with IT equipment if necessary, or temporarily reassigning you to another role within the company.
If there is no way to make alternative arrangements, your employer may still require you to return to the office. However, they must ensure that there is at least 1 meter of space between you and your colleagues.
This applies to people who have a compromised immune system, co-occurring medical conditions, or who are 60 or older.
7. Since I’m going back to the office, does that mean I can interact with my colleagues as usual?
No. You must wear a mask at all times, unless the nature of your job or the work environment makes it prohibitive. You must be at least 1 meter away from your colleagues in the office, including at your work station and during meetings.
You also shouldn’t gather in groups larger than the prevailingly permitted group size for social gatherings, including during meals or smoking breaks.
8. According to the latest update, work-related events of up to 50 people can now be held in the office. What is considered a work-related event?
Work-related events include meetings, training sessions, town halls, corporate retreats, vendor bidding briefings, and business conferences, as well as on-boarding or downsizing exercises.
They do not include celebrations, parties, dinner and dance events, team bonding activities or gala dinners. Employers should not organize or encourage social gatherings inside or outside the office.
Also, to the extent possible, food and drink should not be served at such events. If deemed necessary, workers should be seated and served individually, and the duration of meals should be short.
9. I am an employer. With more personnel authorized to return to the workplace, how can I avoid overcrowding?
You should stagger your start times so that at least half of your employees arrive at the office by 10 a.m. or later.
You should also implement flexible workplace arrangements, for example arranging for some employees to work from home in the morning but return to the office from 1 pm to 5 pm Alternatively, you can ask them to return to the office for meetings only.
If possible, you should implement shift or split team operations and ensure that there is no mix of employees from the different teams.
10. Can I perform religious ceremonies, such as prayers, in the workplace?
Yes, but only with up to 30 people at a time, or less if there is not enough space for safe spacing.
Everyone must wear a mask and keep a distance of 1 meter. Meals are prohibited and singing and other live performances are not allowed.
11. My employer is breaking the rules. How can I report this?
You can do this through the SnapSAFE app, which can be found on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Have more questions about getting back to work? Email us at [email protected]
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