Written Answer to PQ on TG-FWA for SMEs

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2295 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON 6 NOVEMBER 2023
QUESTION NO. 5262 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Ms Joan Pereira

To ask the Minister for Manpower with reference to the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) to be launched in 2024 (a) what is the current progress of the preparatory work and training to equip companies to implement FWAs; and (b) what are the main challenges or issues that have been surfaced by small and medium enterprises that may prevent them from implementing FWAs.

Answer:

The Tripartite Workgroup for the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR) is currently deliberating the scope of the Guidelines. We are also actively consulting employees, HR professionals, and employers, including SMEs.

2 The Workgroup will also make recommendations on how to promote the effective and sustainable provision and utilisation of FWAs. These will build on existing initiatives by Tripartite Partners, such as workshops run by Singapore National Employers Federation and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, and the Playbook for Hybrid Workplaces developed by the Institute for Human Resource Professionals.

3 In our engagements with employers, many have emphasised the importance of recognising the very diverse needs and constraints of different types of businesses, of striking a balance between accommodating employees’ FWA requests and not compromising business operations and outcomes. Some small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have also shared that they lack dedicated HR resources and have limited manpower to implement FWAs effectively. The Workgroup will take into account these feedback in designing the Guidelines and consider how best to support employers and HR practitioners, including SMEs.