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Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Mrs Josephine Teo on Work-from-Home Arrangements for Employees Unable to be Vaccinated

Employment practices Workplace safety and health

NOTICE PAPER NO. 415 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 10 MAY 2021

QUESTION NO. 701 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

To ask the Minister for Manpower for those unable to take the COVID-19 vaccine, whether the Ministry has considered requiring employers to allow them to continue their work-from-home arrangements as long as their jobs are amenable to such arrangements.

Answer: 

1. All employees, regardless of whether they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, should continue to practise public health measures such as the Safe Management Measures for the workplace. This includes adhering to the prevailing work-from-home requirements.

2. When a high proportion of the population is vaccinated, the risk of infection for those who have not been vaccinated is also indirectly reduced. Employees who are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, such as those who are severely immunocompromised or have a history of anaphylaxis, will thereby be better protected.

3. Should persons who are not vaccinated wish to continue working from home on a permanent basis, they may raise the request with their employers. We encourage employers to consider such requests sympathetically and explore mutually acceptable arrangements.