work from home Archives | MoneyDigest.sg

4-Day Work Week? 69% of Singapore Employers Say It’s Feasible!

In April 2024, a poll by payroll and HR solutions provider ADP found that nearly a third of Singaporean workers expect the four-day work week to become standard within the next five years. Notably, 21% of workers reported that their employers have already implemented this model to promote better mental health at work.

As the year progressed, another survey by recruitment agency Robert Walters revealed that 69% of Singaporean employers now consider the four-day work week “a feasible concept.” Employee enthusiasm, however, was even greater as 93% of workers expressed interest in a trial of the shorter work week. Neighboring countries like Malaysia and Thailand echoed this sentiment, with 94% and 95% of workers in these nations, respectively.

The survey, which gathered insights from over 5,000 professionals across 11 Asian markets, placed Singapore in the middle regarding support for the four-day work week.

SOUTHEAST ASIA LEADS

Southeast Asia appears to be the most optimistic region about this shift in work culture. Compared to places like Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and South Korea, professionals and businesses in this region are more open to experimenting with a shorter work week.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

WORKPLACE CHANGES

While many HR experts agree that a four-day work week could improve work-life balance, boost employee happiness, and even enhance productivity, they caution that Singapore may not embrace this change immediately.

Aslam Sardar, CEO of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, noted that Singaporean employers’ hesitancy could stem from the country’s highly competitive business environment. Concerns about operational impact, especially in specific industries, and the complexities of implementing such a shift are key reasons for their caution. Significant organizational changes, cultural adjustments, and technological advancements like automation and job redesign will be critical to making this model work, according to Sardar.

FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION

Despite the hurdles, many Singaporeans are eager to give the four-day work week a try. They view it as a way to improve work-life balance and spend more time with their families. In fact, 96% of professionals surveyed said they would be more inclined to apply for jobs at companies offering this flexible arrangement.

However, when it comes to making compromises, most workers are unwilling to trade reduced salaries or bonuses in exchange for shorter hours, signaling that while the demand for change is high, financial security remains a top priority.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

While the four-day work week is gaining traction, it may take time before it becomes the norm in Singapore, as businesses and workers balance the potential benefits with the challenges of implementation.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Latest WFH internships posted from 22 to 25 May 2023

Are you ready to jumpstart your career from the comfort of your home?

Welcome to our latest WFH internship series, where we explore work-from-home internship opportunities posted from 22 to 25 May 2023.

As remote/hybrid work becomes the new norm, companies are adapting and offering incredible opportunities for aspiring professionals to gain valuable experience without stepping (much) foot into an office.

So if you’re ready to roll, let’s go.

#1: Singapore International Film Festival – Partnerships & Development Intern

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A post shared by Singapore Int’l Film Festival (@sgiffest)

Website: sgiff.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $600 monthly

Job Qualifications

At least a final year student or a Diploma in Arts Management, Media, Mass Communications, Marketing, Business, or equivalent.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages is a plus.
Comfortable with social media, and managing company guidelines on the use of social media.
Driven, proactive, able to work independently, and yet a good team player.
Organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.
Confidence in interacting with all levels of people.
Able to work independently.
Proficiency in graphic design (Photoshop/Illustrator) and/or basic video editing skills are an advantage.
Some events experience will be an advantage.
Interest in film and/or the arts is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Assist the Partnerships & Development Manager and Executive in research for the Festival’s sponsorship and partnership strategy
Assist in the communication and fulfillment of sponsorship entitlements and deliverables promptly.
Support the team in the smooth running and execution of all sponsor-related and fundraising-related activities and events.
Provide administrative support for the individual donor and sponsorship database.
Provide administrative support for invitations and RSVPs for events with sponsor invitations or tickets.
Providing administrative support in tracking all entitlements and benefits for sponsors, partners, fundraising, and individual donors.
Support in creating visual communication and social media posts for SGIFF’s individual donor program and sponsor fulfillment.

How to apply?

View the job post in full here and send your CV, a picture of yourself, and two references, to [email protected] by 9 June 2023.

#2: Vintedge Pte Ltd – Data Analyst Intern

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A post shared by Vintedge (@vintedgegroup)

Website: vintedge.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $1,000 monthly

Job Qualifications

Familiar with analytic and reporting tools (eg. Power BI)
Advanced usage of Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheet
Analytical with strong ability trends from raw data
Strong interest in user behavior analytics
Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Data Science, Mathematics, or equivalent

Key Responsibilities

Prepare data from scratch to unfold the untold relationships
Extract value worth its weight in gold from logic and rules in operating analytics and reporting software
Craft and design marketing and business ROI dashboards
Dip your hands into user behavior analytics

View the job post in full here and write to Katrina via this link.

#3: Pixl Solutions Pte Ltd – Software Testing Intern

Website: pixl.world

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 – 1,200 monthly

Job Qualifications

Understand test requirements, test methodologies, and test strategies.
Good communication skills and strong pressure resistance.
Attentive, conscientious, responsible, collaborative, and diligent work ethic.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for Cross-platform software testing.
Responsible for system function testing, compatibility testing, UI testing, product documentation testing, etc.
Write test cases and execute tests according to the requirements documents, and output test reports.

View the job post in full here and write to Zhien via this link.

#4: Talula Hill Farmer’s Box – Business Development Intern

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A post shared by Talula Hill Farm (@talulahillfarm)

Website: talulafarm.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $500 monthly

Job Qualifications

–

Key Responsibilities

Launch their Shopify store! (they’ve grown out of WordPress)
Product Development to improve product market fit with existing customers
Social Media Marketing to improve storytelling of farmers to their customer base

View the job post in full here and write to Nicky via this link.

#5: Klook Travel Technology – Intern, Partnership And Affiliates, Influencer Marketing (6 Months)

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A post shared by Jaime Teo (@jmeteo)

Website: klook.com

Allowance / Remuneration: $800 – 1,000 monthly

Job Qualifications

Outgoing and enthusiastic personality – Love talking to people!
Comfortable working with numbers and Excel sheets

Key Responsibilities

Play an active role in collecting insights for Klook’s Kreator Program targeted at influencers via user research and survey groups
Invite influencers to be a part of Klook’s Kreator Program
Participate in account management and acquisition initiatives targeted at content writers
Data tracking and analysis to measure the success of influencers and content writers

View the job post in full here and apply via this link.

Note: We’ve selected these internships based on the “remote” tag, but some positions may still require some face-to-face time. Please contact the employer directly for more deets.

How to Juggle the Countless Demands at Work and Home

No matter how exhausted you are by the time you get off work, you still have to cook dinner, help with homework, and answer emergency calls. On top of this, you need to manage your bills and spend quality time with your family. Constantly shifting gears to keep up with the demands of work and home can be stressful.

If you are under a lot of stress, it may start to drain you both physically and emotionally. High stress can lead to headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and stomach aches. Moreover, you may suffer from poor sleep, lack of concentration, and low morale.

Take care of your overall health and wellbeing by finding a good balance between your work and home responsibilities. Here are some tips that can help:

#1: SEEK HELP

Do not be afraid to ask your co-workers, partner, and family members for help. Share the household chores with your partner or older children. Even younger children can set the table or sweep the dust. Working as a team can ease your worries.

#2: SET BOUNDARIES

Boundaries are important to keep your sanity. Learn how to say “no” when tasks are not realistic for you to fulfill at work. Be careful not to promise more than what you can deliver. Make it clear that if you work on another project, you may have to push back the deadline on the current project. Setting your priorities at home can support the fulfillment of your tasks at work.

#3: TIME YOURSELF

Perfection is impossible, but you can maximize your time. Spend a week writing down everything you do from your job to your personal life. Once you have finished this list, you will have a comprehensive and surprising perspective of where your time goes. Cut down on the unnecessary and change it for the better.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#4: BE PRESENT

As much as people strive for the perfect work-life balance, it is never going to happen. It is much more achievable to focus on the present situation. Some days you will focus more on work, some days you will spend more time with your family—and that’s completely acceptable!

A tip I got from a recent workshop I attended is to be fully immersed with the environment where you are standing. If you are standing in your kitchen, be present with your family.

#5: STAY HEALTHY

To be able to give your optimum performance, you must be healthy. Eat a balanced diet and do not skip meals. Steer away from junk food and welcome regular exercise into your daily routine. Manage stress by enjoying a little quiet time.

Whether you like to listen to Jazz music or read a few pages of a book before sleeping, be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Don’t sacrifice rest just to accomplish more tasks. I know! It’s easier said than done.

#6: EASE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

We all want to be the most attentive partner to our spouse, the most helpful parent to our child, and the most competent employee in our organization. As painful as this might sound, we cannot always do our best in everything. Try to use self-compassion when this happens.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Allow yourself to think this: “The world won’t fall apart if I do not do everything I am supposed to do today. I can accept doing a little less.”

Soures: 1 & 2

These are the local firms adopting flexible time-off policies

More so recently, you must have heard of overseas firms adopting flexible work weeks and unlimited annual leave. It seems like the trend is moving over to Singapore, with some firms implementing these time-off policies.

Want to know the names? Stay on this page.

#1: Mambu

Mambu is a Berlin-based startup with offices across the globe, including Singapore.

The fintech firm has a summer four-day workweek policy in place for all of its offices worldwide. Specifically, from June to August, its employees in Singapore get to enjoy an additional day off a week.

To senior application consultant Heemank Verma who works in Mambu’s Singapore office, this is something exciting. He mentioned that employees are always looking forward to the three months early on at the start of the year.

“Our company does not (condone) micromanagement, people take ownership of their work. I feel like that is a fundamental basis of the four-day work week,” he added.

To that, Mambu’s APAC managing director Myles Bertrand noted that the company focuses on productivity, output and results instead of the quantity of time spent working. With policies like that in place, people are likely to be more motivated when reporting for work.

#2: Deloitte

Deloitte is a professional services firm that has jumped on Netflix’s famous “no vacation policy”.

Instead of keeping track of the number of leave days an employee has, individuals have the freedom to decide for themselves. To be exact, different leave types like compassionate leave, marriage leave, and public holidays in-lieu are combined into a flexi-leave arrangement.

According to Melvin Wong, senior account manager at Deloitte Singapore, he meets with his supervisors to plan the calendar of events at the start of each financial year. This, in turn, allows him to plan his annual leave around major client activities.

In addition to the flexi-leave arrangement, Deloitte has also introduced a flexi-work scheme as part of its work-life integration programme. Employees will have the privilege to choose to work from home or alter office hours if they have to attend to other personal commitments.

#3: Facebook

Last on our list, we have a familiar name – Facebook.

Apart from the 20 days of annual leave employees have, Facebook also awards two Choice Days. Choice Days are times where individuals can take days off to volunteer, celebrate a special event, or simply do something they enjoy.

In the past year, the multinational conglomerate also came up with special leave days to support its workers amid the ongoing pandemic. This year, its Singapore office will give its employees three additional company-wide days off, all in the name of rest and recharge.

Final thoughts

Image Credits: vulcanpost.com

Jealous? Don’t be. Ms Deanna Lim, a representative from recruitment agency Robert Walters Singapore, said that more companies are expected to welcome such flexible leave policies.

“This allows them to stay competitive within their industry. Increasingly, we also see more firms adopting different initiatives and revising their existing employee benefits so they can support the formation of family units,” she added.

6 points to note as more head back to the office from tomorrow (5 April)

We hope everyone had a blessed Good Friday and a well-rested Easter weekend.

It’s time to face reality. For those who haven’t caught up with the news just yet, our government has made known last month of a shift in the style of working.

The co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Lawrence Wong said that instead of working from home as the default, Singapore would welcome a more “flexible and hybrid way” of working.

From tomorrow (5 April) onwards, more employees can return to the workplace and split team arrangements will not be compulsory. Here are some other points to note as we head back to the office from Monday.

#1: Different start times & flexibility in working hours

For those called back to the office, make sure that your boss is aware of the staggered start time requirements.

This is to make sure that there is no crowding at the office entrances or building lobbies before entry. The different start times will also ensure lesser jam-packed buses and trains.

In addition, your employer should be open to varied working hours, and as an employee, you hold the right to split your hours between working from home and clocking hours at the office.

#2: Working from home still recommended

an asian woman using her laptop on a sofa

Image Credits: The Straits Times

At the moment, only 50% of employees are allowed to return to the workplace. From 5 April, the percentage will increase to 75% instead.

As the virus still lurks in the community, employers are encouraged to allow their employees to work from home as much as possible. Unless certain business operations demand in-person meetings or collaborations, working from home is still recommended.

To that, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) added that companies should continue to keep to online meetings instead. The decision will minimise the number of people exposed at the workplace and avoid overcrowding in areas like the pantry.

#3: Vulnerable employees to be given extra notice

Folks who are 60 years old and above, be sure that your superiors are giving you special attention to lower your transmission risk at the workplace. This also applies to patients who are immunocompromised or suffering from other medical conditions.

If your job position allows you to work from home, then reporting to the office should not take priority. But for those who need to be at the workplace physically, you should be allowed to commute during off-peak periods.

Where necessary, you may also seek redeployment to another role within the company for the time being.

#4: 50’s the limit at work-related events

Image Credits: Vulcan Post

Work gatherings can only allow up to 50 people to guarantee the low risk of exposure to the virus. Attendees should also keep up with the 1m safe distancing measures when interacting with other individuals.

Sorry to disappoint, but food should not be served unless the occasion calls for it, for example, due to extended periods past lunch hour or dinner time. If there’s a need to provide food, each participant must be served while seated.

Mealtimes should also be watched such that people are masked up immediately after eating.

#5: Huat number 8’s still the limit for social meetings

Please note that work events are different from social meetings. Yes, that farewell lunch for an exceptional colleague is regarded as a “social and recreational gathering”, not a work-related affair. Our tiny red dot is still in the midst of phase 3, and only up to 8 people are allowed to gather.

Even for plans like team bonding, the rule still applies. This is regardless of it being in or out of the workplace’s boundaries. For a refresher, households can only welcome up to eight visitors at any one time as well.

#6: Face masks and disinfectants must be provided

Image Credits: RECHI Retail

Peeps who’ve already been reporting to the office at alternate weeks or staggered schedules, we understand the pains of wearing a mask the entire workday. Especially those slogging without air-conditioners in humid conditions may find it necessary to change their masks more often.

Your employer should secure enough face masks for everyone in the company. “Where possible, employers should consider improving the working environment for employees to enable them to sustain wearing the masks,” said MOM.

There must also be sufficient handwashing soap and disinfectants such as sprays, cleansing wipes, hand sanitisers, and paper towels.

Final thoughts

For those who don’t have to return to the workplace from tomorrow (5 April), or at least not immediately, good for you if you’re enjoying it! With that said, you may be keen to check out our recently published article on “WFH tips to help you stay motivated”.

Working from home should not be a nightmare. Your boss ought to not take this as a chance to push you past your limits. Set boundaries between work and rest, so the lines are not blurred.

For both employers and employees reading this, you may want to heed the tripartite advisory on mental well-being formed by MOM, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), together with HR professionals:

Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces

Image Credits: CNA

Health is wealth, so learn how to work when you need to and take that break when your body needs it.