CHANGING MINDSETS TAKES TIME

The new guidelines won’t change the minds of all business owners overnight. But formalising the process and setting expectations at a national level sends a clear signal to employers who can afford flexible work arrangements but do not.

Ultimately, it is a positive step towards a discussion between employers and employees on how to support each other.

Such discussions may not take place spontaneously otherwise, because of the power asymmetry. Employees bear the risk of sacrificing their jobs or career progressions for voicing out, especially in SMEs where it is obvious who these employees are.

To convince hesitant employers that flexible work arrangements can work without jeopardising business outcomes and competitive advantage, employees must show they can achieve work objectives equally well.

FLEXIBLE WORK NOT A PANACEA FOR BAD COMPANIES

But it is a reality that running a business is not easy. Well-intentioned SMEs will still likely struggle finding flexible work arrangements that are a win-win for everyone.

While online resources and success stories provided by government agencies can help, ground-up efforts may also be useful in offering more tangible suggestions. Successful SMEs can collectively form some mentoring or advisory network to help other SMEs in this journey. Business councils could perhaps co-create workable solutions.

Flexible work is a means, not an end. And it is just one means: Flexible work alone is not a panacea if the company’s other people management systems and culture are dysfunctional. 

Organisations are social systems where both employers and employees depend on each other. Considering both perspectives is an important first step towards building a sustainable and positive work environment. Good people help the business succeed and good businesses take care of their people.

Sherwin Chia is the Head of Programme and Charissa Tan is an organisational psychologist and senior lecturer for the Human Resource Management Programme. Both are at the S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences.