Implementing fair employment practices makes good business sense. It is also the right thing to do in a workforce such as Singapore's, with its diverse ethnic, religious, age and gender makeup.
What are fair employment practices
Fair employment practices consist of hiring practices that are fair, merit-based and non-discriminatory.
Reasons to be fair
Here are some of the top reasons your organisation should adopt fair-employment practices:
Access to a wider talent pool
By hiring fairly and based on merit, you are assured that you have access to the widest pool of candidates. This is especially important as Singapore’s local workforce is declining. There is a need to tap on older workers and women to fill the labour shortage.
Increased productivity and staff retention
When you attract, retain and develop employees based on their merit, ability and skill, you ensure that the best available person gets the job. In this way, you maximise the abilities and potential of employees as well as help to raise their morale and reduce turnover.
Innovation and tapping into new markets
Organisations that adopt fair employment practices are better able to attract talent from different backgrounds, leading to the formation of a diverse workforce. A diverse workforce is beneficial to increasing innovation and creativity within your organisation, resulting in new and different ideas, products and solutions.
Improved customer satisfaction
A diverse workforce comprising different backgrounds such as age, gender and race will help your organisation better understand the needs of the different customers and market segments.
Flexibility in deploying employees
A diverse workforce has its advantages, especially during festive and holiday periods where organisations are able to minimise scheduling conflicts. By employing people from diverse ethnicities, you will have more flexibility in maintaining the right staff levels during the different festive holidays.
Be an employer of choice
Organisations that gain a reputation for embracing fair employment practices will find it easier to attract and recruit employees. They will also enjoy a good reputation, which helps to create a positive impact on sales and customer satisfaction levels.
Guiding principles
The guiding principles are stated in the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices that are formulated by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP).
As an employer, you can follow these principles to adopt fair employment practices:
- Recruit and select employees on the basis of merit (such as skills, experience or ability to perform the job), regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status and family responsibilities, or disability.
- Treat employees fairly and with respect, and implement progressive human resource management systems.
- Provide employees with equal opportunity to be considered for training and development based on their strengths and needs, to help them achieve their full potential.
- Reward employees fairly based on their ability, performance, contribution and experience.
- Abide by labour laws and adopt the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
You can refer to the guide to better understand how you can adopt the recommended fair employment practices.
If you recruit or outsource through external employment agencies to fill job vacancies, you should also encourage them to adopt these guidelines.
Contact TAFEP for advice or assistance on fair employment practices: