8 in 10 Singapore employers surveyed are ready for flexible work arrangements

About seven in 10 firms have processes in place to assess flexible work arrangement requests.

A recent joint survey by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) found that eight in 10 employers in Singapore are ready to implement the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR). The survey, which involved 367 companies across 10 industries such as manufacturing, energy, transport, retail, and F&B, showed widespread readiness.

The report revealed that while most employers are prepared for FWAR, certain sectors face unique challenges in adopting them. The survey that was conducted between 5 and 30 September 2024 found that 81% of employers felt ready for TG-FWAR, with 70% having set up processes to assess FWA requests.

Employers expect demand for FWAs to rise, particularly among younger employees in their 20s to 40s, who seek better work-life balance and caregiving options. Offering FWAs is also expected to be a key factor in attracting and retaining talent.

The survey showed different adoption rates across industries. Employers in the Finance sector felt more confident about meeting the guidelines, while those in industries with structured schedules, such as Maritime and Manufacturing, were less confident.  

Flexi-time (77%) and flexi-place (70%) are the most common types of flexible work arrangements among employers, while flexi-load is less common at 26%. That said, some industries, including electronics & precision engineering, finance, hospitality & tourism, and information & communications, are more open to flexi-load, with over 40% of employers in these sectors adopting it. 

Hao Shuo, CEO of SNEF commented: "As noted in the study, employers recognise the value of FWAs and are willing to consider FWA requests that could be accommodated by their business operations, but it is important to employers that productivity can be sustained even when employees are on FWA."

Images / SNEF