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Embracing Flexible Work Arrangements - New Tripartite Guidelines effective from December 2024

In today’s dynamic work environment, flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are essential for attracting and retaining talent. FWAs offer substantial benefits, particularly for groups such as seniors, caregivers, and individuals with special needs. By adopting these arrangements, organizations can tap into diverse talent pools and enhance overall performance.

 

Recognizing this need, the new New Tripartite Guidelines requires all employers in Singapore to have a formal process for employees to request FWAs. Employers are required to communicate their decisions within two months of receiving a request, promoting transparency and accountability in the workplace.

 

Types of flexible arrangements:

 

• Flexi-Place: Options for employees to work from locations outside the office, such as telecommuting or remote work.
• Flexi-Time: Allowing employees to work varied hours without changes to their total workload, incorporating staggered hours and flexible shifts.
• Flexi-Load: Enabling employees to take on different workloads with appropriate remuneration, such as job sharing or part-time positions.

 

The Request Process

Employers must establish a structured process for employees to submit formal requests for FWAs. This can be facilitated through an WhyzeHR Employee Self Service portal or email.

 

Assessing Requests

Employers should evaluate requests for flexible work arrangements by considering the employee's role and its impact on business performance. While they can reject requests, such decisions must be based on reasonable business grounds, such as significant increases in costs or potential drops in productivity.

 

Personal biases, such as a preference for physical presence in the office despite good performance, are not valid reasons for rejection. Additionally, claims of organizational tradition or management opposition to flexible arrangements do not meet the criteria for reasonable grounds.

 

Compliance and Communication

As part of the new guidelines, employers are mandated to provide a written decision regarding flexible work arrangement requests within two months. This requirement underscores the importance of clear and transparent communication, allowing employees to understand the rationale behind decisions.

 

 

This new guideline reinforces the need for employers to create a supportive environment and leverage the diverse talents of their workforce. Contact us to discover how WhyzeHR can help you publish your company’s policies to staff, digitalize employee's request, and facilitate open dialogue between supervisors and employees about FWAs and performance.