Provision of Time-off and Leave Benefits by Companies Adopting Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower for each year in the past two years, of the companies adopting the Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony, how many and what percentage provided (a) over and above the statutory requirements for (i) paid or unpaid childcare leave, (ii) additional time-off for employees with young children, (iii) additional time-off for female employees due to pregnancy and childbirth, (iv) paid or unpaid leave for maternity and (v) paid or unpaid leave for paternity; and (b) what are the figures for such provisions for (i) eldercare sick leave and (ii) family care leave.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony (TS-WLH) recognises employers that implement progressive practices to support their employees’ work-life needs. This includes providing flexible work arrangements (FWAs), enhanced leave benefits, employee support schemes, such as provision of family day, and the appointment of senior management as Work-Life Harmony Champions. TS-WLH does not prescribe the specific types of FWAs, enhanced leave benefits or employee support schemes that firms should provide. As business and employees’ needs may evolve over time, firms have the prerogative to decide on what to provide. As such, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices does not track TS-WLH adopters’ provision of specific types of FWAs and enhanced leave benefits.