As a modern city with many international businesses setting up here, many companies in Singapore offer a variety of Employee Support Schemes (ESS). Besides competing to attract talent, these schemes enhance employee well-being, boost productivity, and foster a supportive work environment that can reduce turnover.
According to MOM, close to 45% of firms in Singapore supported at least one type of ESS – with mental health support being the most common. Unsurprisingly, the MOM’s report also found that larger firms were more likely to offer Employee Support Schemes than smaller firms.
Naturally, many Employee Support Schemes (ESS) provide benefits in important pillars of our lives including family, health, mental wellness, work hours, lifestyle and professional development. We look at how some of these look.
#1 Family
Recognising of the dual responsibilities that employees often face at work and home, family support initiatives are a cornerstone of many Employee Support Schemes (ESS) in Singapore. Companies implement a wide range of family-oriented benefits to enable employees to achieve a better work-life balance.
One key initiative is the introduction of bursaries, or monetary incentives for employees’ children who have achieved outstanding academic results in their studies. These bursaries are given with the main objective to encourage them to do even better in school and express the organisation’s support and care for employees’ families.
Some organisations also provide marriage gifts such as hampers, vouchers, cash, or red packets for newly wedded employees and childcare subsidies to reduce the financial burden of raising children. Having on-site childcare facilities is also an initiative taken by some organisations in collaboration with a childcare service provider.
As a plus, employees are usually also given a discount and have priority over the public when enrolling their child into the centre. On designated days like “Eat With Your Family Day,” employees are encouraged to leave work early to spend time with their families.
Recognising the rising need for eldercare, some companies also provide eldercare arrangements and subsidies by collaborating with eldercare centres or eldercare service providers, which help employees manage their caregiving duties for ageing parents. This comprehensive support not only alleviates stress for employees but also fosters loyalty and a stronger emotional connection with their employers.
#2 Health and Fitness
As a physically healthy workforce is often a more productive and engaged one, Health and Fitness is another pivotal element of ESS. Furthermore, these initiatives not only lower absenteeism but also cultivate a culture that prioritises personal well-being.
Corporate gym memberships and subsidies for them and on-site fitness centres are becoming increasingly popular. These programs encourage employees to incorporate exercise into their routines, even amidst busy work schedules.
Health screenings are another common offering as many companies organise annual check-ups for employees. Nutrition programs are also gaining traction as activities such as lunchtime health seminars, exercise classes and interest groups are held in conjunction with participation in marathons and competitions.
Some companies also have a designated day during the week or month where fruits are given to employees to promote a healthy lifestyle and better meal habits.
Read Also: Medical Benefits That Businesses Have To Legally Provide For Their Employees In Singapore
#3 Mental Wellness
As mentioned, mental health is the most common component of any ESS in Singapore. Through these initiatives, companies can create a more empathetic and inclusive workplace culture.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are a hallmark of such efforts, providing access to confidential counselling services. These services cater to a range of issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, financial troubles, and workplace conflicts.
Typically, EAPs can be free for employees and are designed to provide immediate, short-term support while maintaining strict confidentiality through anonymous phone or personal consultations with professional counsellors to help employees deal with personal or work stress.
Workshops and training sessions on mindfulness, resilience, and stress management are another aspect of mental wellness initiatives. These sessions often include techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises to help employees manage stress and improve focus.
Additionally, mentoring and support activities, such as the Buddy System that is common in Public Service, can also address the anxieties and negative effects of workload.
#4 Lunch and Working Hours
Work-life balance has emerged as a critical factor in employee satisfaction in Singapore. Besides considering Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA), which has become mandatory in Singapore Since 1 December 2024, companies can also explore creative ways to support work-life balance.
Flexible lunch times, while seemingly a smaller issue, empower employees to manage their personal needs and demands. For example, simply extending a one-hour lunch break which can be taken at any time between the frame of 11am and 2pm can give employees a more ownership over their time at work.
Other lunch policies such as lunchtime swaps is another unique way to promote balance in work. Whereby greater flexibility is attained, through a shorter lunch on one day (e.g. half-hour) and a longer lunch on another day (e.g. one-and-a-half-hours) or whenever needed for respective personal matters.
A variety of policies where employees get to leave earlier than the usual end time on certain days can also boost morale. For example, this could translate into a general rule of no meetings on Fridays so employees can leave early to kickstart their weekend or past a certain time each day to allow more certainty of what time they can leave each day.
Read Also: What Is The Average Working Hours In Singapore For Full-Time And Part-Time Employees
#5 Recreation and Bonding
To foster closer working relationships, companies can also invest in bonding activities that bring employees together in an informal setting.
Team-building retreats and organisation wide activities to celebrate special occasions and events are popular approaches. Activities such as birthdays, anniversaries, and Dinner & Dance provide opportunities for employees to bond over shared experiences. Sports events within an organisation also encourage camaraderie while promoting physical fitness.
Designated spaces, such as staff lounges or pantries decked with games and food can offer employees more to look forward to at the office and offer an informal space to wind down throughout the day.
Read Also: 6 Destinations Under $1000 Per Pax For Your Company’s Corporate Retreat
#6 Lifestyle
Lifestyle-oriented benefits cater to the wider interests of employees, allowing them to lead fulfilling personal lives outside of work. Companies can offer a variety of perks to enhance employees’ day-to-day experiences.
For example, corporate memberships of recreational activities and attractions such as holiday accommodations, zoo and entry into Sentosa and others offer perks for them and their families to enjoy.
Organisations that incorporate service offerings within their business operations may choose to extend these benefits to their employees, either free of charge or at a reduced cost. Alternatively, they may collaborate with external service providers or offer subsidies to facilitate access to such services.
Examples of concierge services encompass tasks such as parcel delivery, cheque banking, posting letters, and arranging restaurant reservations.
Dry cleaning and personal grooming services can be provided by organisations that expect their employees to maintain a professional appearance or wear formal uniforms. These services may be managed in-house, as is often the case in hotels, or outsourced to vendors.
On top of that, companies of goods and services can also offer them to employees at no cost or at a reduced rate, such as employee discounts. Organisations may also collaborate with external service providers or subsidise these offerings as employee benefits.
Companies can also offer additional financial benefits such as for wellness counselling for healthcare or financial counselling for retirement, performance bonuses to provide employees with a sense of financial stability and long-term security.
Read Also: 10 Types Of Company Benefits That Employees Have To Pay Income Tax On
#7 Staff Development
Employers can provide subsidies or sponsorships for courses related to the job and field of their employees, allowing them to obtain certifications for upskilling in their industry while working for the company.
Partnerships with institutions like SkillsFuture Singapore ensure employees can access government-funded training programs tailored to their career aspirations. Already, employers can access up to $10,000 worth of SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) to upskill their employees.
Internal development programs, such as talks and workshops that focus on topics such as managing work and personal or family needs, enhancing family relationships, and coping with family responsibilities.
These programmes help them with a range of technical skills to soft skills such as communication and leadership, which expands their professional horizons.
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