Written Answer to PQ on Data on Rejection of Flexible Work Arrangement Requests

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3514 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON 3 MAR 2025
QUESTION NO. 6649 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Miss Rachel Ong

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has information on how many Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) requests have been rejected since 1 April 2024; (b) if so, how many rejected requests have come from caregivers, including parents; and (c) how many employees have approached TAFEP or NTUC for recourse in situations where employers did not consider their FWA request.

Answer:

1. The Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests, which took effect on 1 December last year, aim to help employers and employees navigate discussions about flexible work arrangements and arrive at mutually beneficial arrangements.

2. Employers are required to consider FWA requests submitted by their employees based on business grounds and communicate the outcome of their assessment to the employees. Employers and employees are not required to report the outcomes of the FWA requests to the Ministry of Manpower.

3. Employees who feel that their FWA requests are not properly considered may approach TAFEP for assistance. To date, TAFEP has not received any cases that require TAFEP to engage employers for non-adherence to the Tripartite Guidelines.