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Oral Answer by Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang to PQ on Remote Work

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1011 OF 2022 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 28 FEBRUARY 2022
QUESTION NO. 2578 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Yip Hon Weng

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has conducted surveys to assess the proficiency of local employers at managing remote work by using technology such as assessment tools and collaboration technology; (b) whether employers have adequate support to help them improve in managing remote and hybrid-work teams; and (c) whether the Ministry is equipped to mediate disagreements over employee assessment due to reduced in-person work and resulting change in assessment criteria.

Answer:

  1. MOM and our Tripartite Partners take a practical approach towards supporting companies that are implementing remote work and other forms of flexible work arrangements. Specifically on remote work, employers are best placed to assess what types of work in the company are suitable for this form of flexible work arrangement, how best to implement it, retain their employees and keep them motivated, while ensuring the needs of the business are met. The Government should not overreach and be overly prescriptive. Otherwise, we stifle the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.
  2. Some employers may need financial support to implement the digital technologies to support remote work. The Government supports them through the Productivity Solutions Grant. The HR profession has also come together to share experiences and best practices. For example, the Institute for Human Resource Professionals developed a Playbook on Hybrid Workplaces. We will continue to consult closely with our Tripartite Partners to identify resources and tools to support companies in implementing remote work as well as other forms of flexible work arrangements.
  3. Employees who experience unfair treatment, including in performance assessment while on remote-work arrangements, can reach out to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) for advice and assistance. The principles underlying the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices are clear. Remote work may be an emerging workplace practice, but the principle of fair and objective assessment remains unchanged.