SPH Adopts Revised Tripartite Guidelines On Non-discriminatory Job Advertisements

To support the adoption of fair employment practices, Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) will be implementing the revised Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job Advertisements recently released by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP). In this regard, SPH will be aligning its vetting guidelines for job advertisements published in its newspapers to the revised tripartite guidelines. By doing so, TAFEP and SPH aim to minimise instances of job advertisements that are deemed to be discriminatory.

2. In accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job Advertisements, employers should state selection criteria clearly in job advertisements. These criteria, which can include qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience, should be relevant to the job. Job advertisements should generally not stipulate criteria like age, race, gender, language, marital status and religion. In situations where a specific attribute or requirement – such as proficiency in a particular language or candidates from a particular religion – is needed for the job, reasons for such requirements should be stated. By ensuring that stipulated selection criteria are relevant and the job is open to all suitable candidates, employers can select the best from a larger pool of potential employees, and this will benefit the company.

Ms Elsie Chua, Senior Vice President of Classified Advertisements, Singapore Press Holdings Limited: “As the key media organisation in Singapore and the region's leading print media owner, SPH recognises the importance of adopting fair employment practices. In today's competitive and increasingly global economy, where securing valued employees and talent can make a difference between business success and failure, it would be unwise for employers to adopt discriminatory employment practices.”

"SPH publishes an average of 20,000 vacancies every week, across our stable of newspapers. Our newspapers have a readership of 2.7 million. We are the principal touch-point between employers and the job-seekers in Singapore and the region. SPH is confident that by supporting the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP), we can contribute towards promoting the adoption of fair employment practices in Singapore. Fair employment practices are beneficial not just to the company and to individuals, but also help in making Singapore an inclusive society and a great place to work,” she added.

Mdm Halimah Yacob, co-chairperson for TAFEP: "On behalf of TAFEP, I would like to commend SPH for their strong commitment and support for fair employment practices. With the revised Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job Advertisements and with SPH's support, we are confident that employers will be more aware of the need to recruit and select based on job requirements and the merit of the candidates. As more companies adopt the guidelines and implement fair employment practices, there will be equal opportunities for jobseekers and companies can select more suitable candidates for the job."

Mr Bob Tan, co-chairperson for TAFEP: "TAFEP is delighted to have SPH as a partner to help bring the message of fair employment practices to employers and recruitment agencies. Print media under SPH plays an important role in publicising job opportunities and helping employers find suitable employees. As a partner, SPH can help TAFEP advise employers on how best to craft a job advertisement, in line with the Tripartite Guidelines."

Tripartite Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Job Advertisements