Singapore allows workers to request 4-day weeks and more work from home

In an attempt to retain talent and adapt to changing work trends, Singapore has introduced new guidelines allowing workers to request four-day work weeks, increased work-from-home days, and staggered work timings starting December 1.

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, established by the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress, and the Singapore National Employers Federation, announced the guideline on Tuesday (April 16). Additionally, employees can request flexible work locations by the year's end.

Importance of flexible work arrangements

Yeo Wan Ling, co-chair of the Tripartite Workgroup, told the South China Morning Postthat access to flexible work arrangements is crucial for care-givers, women workers, and senior workers in deciding whether to remain or rejoin the workforce.

Though not legally enforceable, the guideline mandates companies to establish a formal process for employees to request flexible work arrangements.

Employers can decline requests if they significantly deteriorate productivity, escalate costs, or are infeasible due to job nature. However, rejections based on a firm's traditions or management's beliefs in traditional work styles are prohibited.

Singapore's initiative aligns with countries like Ireland and Britain, where businesses must consider flexible work requests.

While remote work surged during the pandemic, its decline post-Covid, driven by concerns over underutilised office spaces, is noticeable.

Also watch |Gravitas | This Chinese company offers 10 days of sad leave to employees every year

In a similar case, employees at the Chinese supermarket chain Fat Dong Lai can take up to 10 days of "sad leave" each year without needing approval from their manager.

This is very different from the tough "996" work culture in some Chinese companies, where employees work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.

(With inputs from agencies)