Govt approves guidelines for flexible work arrangement requests

The guidelines will take effect on 1 December.

The government has accepted all 10 recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup on the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) requests.

The mandatory guidelines will set norms and expectations for FWAs, detailing how employees should request and use them and how employers and supervisors should handle such requests.

The Tripartite Workgroup has suggested adopting an enabling and educational approach in implementing the guidelines to ensure workplace harmony, which involves providing employees and employers with the resources and skills needed to handle FWA requests.

Employers must comply with the guidelines starting 1 December, which aim to streamline FWA requests for employees whilst retaining employer control over work arrangements.

Employees can seek assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices should employers fail to comply with the guidelines.