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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo Minister for Manpower to PQ on Reporting Workplace Sexual Harassment

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 237 FOR THE SITTING ON 2 FEBRUARY 2021
QUESTION NO. 427 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP Raeesah Khan: To ask the Minister for Manpower what steps is the Ministry taking (i) to encourage victims to file a workplace sexual harassment report either with their employer or other authorities when such incidents happen and (ii) to ensure that personnel are trained to handle such complaints.

Answer:

  1. MOM appreciates the seriousness of workplace harassment and the challenges victims may face. To raise awareness and to ensure that employees do not hesitate to report such cases, Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) together with MOM and other partner organisations have stepped up efforts via digital and social media platforms to educate the public on what constitutes workplace harassment and the available avenues for recourse, including when to file a report with TAFEP or the Police.
  2. In addition, TAFEP works closely with tripartite partners to conduct regular courses to train key personnel such as HR, line managers and supervisors to adopt policies to prevent and manage workplace harassment. More than 950 company representatives have been trained over the last five years.
  3. Affected employees who do not feel comfortable reporting through their company channel are encouraged to approach TAFEP for assistance. Such cases are handled sensitively. When a case of harassment is filed, TAFEP will require the employer to provide a report of their investigations of the complaint including disciplinary actions to be taken against the harasser if the complaint was found to be true. TAFEP will also assess if the case inquiry and the company’s grievance handling process were in accordance with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Workplace Harassment. TAFEP will treat all information provided as confidential and work with the employer to prevent future occurrences. TAFEP also refers affected individuals to organisations like the Family Service Centres, Health Promotion Board and SOS Singapore which have the expertise to help them get closure and the necessary support.