More firms in Singapore have family-friendly practices, says survey
More companies in Singapore are adopting family-friendly practices, according to a survey by the Ministry of Manpower.
"Increasingly, establishments are going beyond statutory requirements to provide various leave benefits to help their employees with family commitments," stated a press release publicising the results of the 2014 Conditions of Employment Survey.
The results were based on the responses of 1,293,600 employees from 3,800 establishments here and the survey had a response rate of 91.6 per cent.
Here are the main findings.
1. Steady increase in firms providing flexible work arrangements
The proportion of companies providing at least one formal flexible work arrangement has been rising in recent years.
Flexible work arrangements include part-time work, flexible working hours, working from outside the office and an option of staggered hours.
2. Employers are generous in offering leave benefits
Many employers have been providing leave benefits such as compassionate leave and marriage leave even though such benefits are not mandated by law.
The proportion of full-time employees entitled to at least 15 days of paid annual leave has increased from 41.1 per cent in 2012 to 42.4 per cent in 2014.
This is more than what is required under the Employment Act. (Click here to read more about it.)
3. Five day work-week still the common practice
Close to 46 per cent of full-time employees in 2014 work five days a week, up from about 44 per cent in 2012.
The remaining full-time employees work six days a week (19 per cent) or five-and-a-half days a week (14 per cent) or are on shift work (14 per cent).
4. Stable outpatient sick leave rate
"Absenteeism due to illness was stable over the years," stated the press release.
These two figures are the same as that in 2011.
To find out the number of days of paid sick leave you are entitled to under the law, click here.
To see the full survey results, click here.
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