Tripartite partners advise employers on high workforce absences

The advisory aimed to guide employers about potential high workforce absences.

The tripartite partners, consisting of the Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress, and Singapore National Employers Federation, issued an advisory giving further guidance to employers in planning and responding to potentially high workforce absences due to the sharp rise in Omicron cases in Singapore.

As observed in other countries, which have experienced Omicron waves, staff absences due to COVID-19 infections can significantly disrupt business operations. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has called on employers providing essential services to prepare and implement their business continuity plans (BCPs), adhere strictly to safety management measures, and encourage employees to test themselves regularly to dampen transmission and minimise business disruptions.

According to the tripartite partners, employers may consider the measures below in reviewing their BCPs:

1. Identify core capabilities critical to business operations - employees fulfilling these critical functions can be deployed in split teams to reduce risks of disruption to operations.
2. Train and identify other employees within the company who can be redeployed should the employees performing critical functions test positive for COVID-19.
3. Consider regular testing of employees who work on-site, especially those serving critical functions, to allow for early detection and isolation of positive COVID-19 cases to reduce workplace transmission among critical staff. Employees should also exercise self-responsibility and should not turn up for work when they are feeling unwell.
4. Maintain regular contact with employees who have contracted COVID-19 to keep track of their recovery and to facilitate those who test negative to return to work earlier.
5. Adhere to the Advisory on Requirements for Safe Management Measures at the workplace, including the steps to take when employees are infected with COVID-19.
6. Develop company policy on leave and salary arrangements (e.g. provision of additional paid leave, consumption of paid sick leave or annual leave), in consultation with unions where applicable, should the employer decide to temporarily suspend operations due to absence of employees critical to core business functions. Employers can refer to the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment (TAMEM) for recommended practices on leave and salary matters arising from business disruptions.
7. Identify the triggers for the various aspects of the BCP depending on the level of staff absences for different segments of the workforce.
8. Prepare other resources that are required to activate the BCP, such as work-from-home equipment and channels to employ temporary help.
9. Prepare communications plan to consumers or service buyers to seek their understanding for delays in service delivery (if any).
10. Take guidance from advisories issued by the respective sector agencies (if any).