Even though there are policies encouraging employers to offer flexible work arrangements, more must be done to ensure workplace support becomes the norm for all workers, said NTUC U Women and Family Director Yeo Wan Ling.
Ms Yeo was speaking on the third day of the Singapore Perspectives 2023 conference by the Institute of Policy Studies on 16 January 2023.
Ms Yeo said that there are still 260,000 women aged 25 to 64 who are not in the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities. This is despite the increased employment rate of female residents over the years.
She said: “If we can tap into this labour pool and provide jobs with flexible hours that can attract women, this would go a long way in solving the labour crunch that many businesses are facing now.”
Ms Yeo added that in dual-income families, women were five times more likely than men to manage housework and caregiving responsibilities.
She also cited a 2021 Ipsos survey, which found that nine in 10 Singaporeans agree that household chores can be shared equally by husband and wife. But in reality, more women take on daily household responsibilities.
NTUC’s #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations with women indicated anxieties about their ability to manage work and caregiving commitments.
“My team in the NTUC U Women and Family unit has, over the years, advocated for women’s interests in the workplace. We want to garner support for women, especially those shouldering the dual responsibilities of family and a career,” Ms Yeo added.
One of the initiatives is the Better Workplace Campaign, rolled out last year to help companies implement flexible work arrangements and work-life harmony practices. This includes a policy on workplace harassment.
Companies that qualify for the Better Workplace Campaign are provided with a wellness corner or lactation space.
Ms Yeo said: “We believe this helps to build a better work environment while providing a tangible benefit for employees.”
She also cited the upcoming set of Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements, which will be ready by 2024.
The guidelines aims to create a workplace norm where it is acceptable for employees to request for flexible work arrangements, while maintaining the employer’s prerogative to accept or reject the requests based on their business needs.
Besides flexible work arrangements, Ms Yeo said that job redesign is another way to encourage women to join the workforce.
Ms Yeo said NTUC wants to co-create a sustainable and hopeful future at work.
She added that NTUC will work to strengthen its compact with all workers.
“We will continue to work with our tripartite partners to build progressive and inclusive workplaces that will encourage more women to participate in the workforce while helping them reach their highest potential,” she added.
