Urging Employers to Adopt Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony Guidelines

Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Manpower with the Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony launched with guidelines on flexible work arrangements, employee support schemes, enhanced leave policies and suitable arrangements for employees with care-giving responsibilities, what are the ways in which the Ministry is considering to promote to employers to adopt the guidelines.

The Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony was launched by the Tripartite Partners in April 2021 to promote the adoption of flexible work arrangements and various employee support schemes. These measures support employees in achieving better work-life harmony and can also help improve a company’s recruitment and retention of talent over time.

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices will conduct clinics and briefings to companies, working with the various Trade Associations and Chambers. The National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation will also be encouraging companies to adopt the new Standard through their own networks in the coming months.

Employers who adopt the Standard in 2021 will be able to access the Human Capital Diagnostic Tool (HCDT) at no cost. The HCDT allows organisations to gain valuable insights on the strengths and maturity of their human capital practices, employee workplace experience and well-being, and supports their journey to be a more progressive employer.

The Tripartite Partners have also set up the Alliance for Action on Work-Life Harmony in March this year to rally ground-up action to take ownership of work-life harmony. The Alliance for Action will develop resources, as well as organise sector-specific Communities of Practice to discuss work-life harmony practices that are practical for each sector.

As part of the Alliance, we also have a team of over 100 Work-Life Ambassadors who will promote adoption of the new Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony to both employers and employees. Companies that adopt the Tripartite Standard (TS) can use the TS logo in their publicity and recruitment materials to identify themselves as progressive employers and employers of choice. Ultimately, companies that are progressive in employment practices will find themselves being able to attract and retain more talent in the steady state.