Then, MP Cheryl Chan ( PAP-East Coast ), questioned whether the flexible work arrangement guidelines would lead to more job offshoring in Singapore.
She also asked whether middle-aged professionals, managers, executives and technicians ( PMETs ) would be disadvantaged by the guidelines and by the redesign of job roles to accommodate flexible work arrangements.
According to Ms. Gan, flexible work plans do not imply less productive work, as they do flexi-place options ( such as working from home ).
She continued, adding that when assessing ability and prices, companies were influenced by their own base lines.
” I think we may not believe that without flexible job arrangements, there’ll be less outsourcing,” she said.
” I would also point out that some tech firms are also releasing remarks that remote work is not a good fit for them, such as in the US.
” There seems to be some advice that truly, for certain sectors and for certain types of work, real on-site appearance, cooperation, all these are still very important. “
She said that some firms in Singapore have shared similar comments, adding:” For those, I think offshore may not be a healthy alternative, and certainly would not be affected by these rules. “
According to Ms. Gan, the main concern for middle-aged PMETs is to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and to maintain employment.
She also clarified that the guidelines do n’t demand flexible work arrangements or set hard goals when responding to MPs ‘ queries.
” For flexible job plans to be successful, it must render businesses responsible for the employers,” she said.
It makes no sense to mandate that companies offer flexible work arrangements, even when this would hurt Singaporeans ‘ career prospects and negatively impact business. “