City state allows workers right to request four-day weeks

Workers in Singapore can ask for four-day work weeks, more work-from-home days and staggered work timings starting from December 1, underscoring the global trend of governments and companies relaxing office arrangements to retain talent.

The guideline was announced yesterday by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, an agency set up by the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation. Employees will also be entitled to ask for arrangements such as flexible work locations at the end of this year.

“Access to flexible work arrangements is often the main consideration for carers, women workers and senior workers when it comes to deciding to stay or return to the workforce,” Yeo Wan Ling, co-chair of the Tripartite Workgroup, said.

While the guideline is not enforceable by law, it does require all companies in Singapore to set up a process for employees to submit a formal flexible-working arrangement request. Employers can reject the request on the grounds it would result in a significant worsening of productivity, a significant increase in cost or because it is not feasible given the nature of the work.

However, companies could not reject a request on the basis that it runs counter to a firm’s traditions or that the management simply does not believe in such flexible work styles.

Singapore’s move is in line with other countries, including Ireland and Britain, where governments require businesses to consider flexi-work requests.

While working from home became a mainstay during the pandemic, the practice has been on the decline as the world recovers from Covid-19 and employers, mindful of expensive properties sitting empty, demand staff get back to the office. But retaining more flexible arrangements may be good for business, with those giving employees freedom to choose how and where they work proven to attract talent at a faster rate and generate more revenue.