At the start of the year, as COVID-19 restrictions and economic impacts first began, many of us thought it would be business as usual by the end of the year. Guess what \u2013 it is the end of the year, and things look far from going back to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For starters, the headline may not be entirely accurate. Conversations are no longer just being held in the office, it\u2019s everywhere now. Work-related conversations have permeated our social lives, including on our personal text messaging apps and during non-work hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It hasn\u2019t just become more acceptable, but it\u2019s also more convenient for work-related conversations to be held this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>10 Ways COVID-19 Impacted Singapore Workers: MOM Labour Force In Singapore Advance Release 2020<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When employees converse, another topic on the grapevine will be about office locations. The need for physical office space has drastically changed since the start of the year. Some companies urgently need to save costs on their office space, as they\u2019ve let many workers go to keep afloat. These companies will be looking at smaller office spaces or in less prime locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other companies have managed to ride the COVID-19 wave to expand. Leveraging on digital trends accelerating in the workforce, these companies may need more space for more people even if they\u00a0embrace work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet another group of companies will be looking at whether a co-working space<\/a> may make sense. They could be considering a hybrid model of working from an office and from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>Hot Desk; Hotels; Free Facilities; Cafes; Lounges: 5 \u201cAlternative\u201d Offices You Can Work From<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, year-end is when employees get to clear their annual leaves by taking a well-deserved break. Going on a holiday and spending time with their loved ones are things people look forward to all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, this year will be drastically different. Employees have less reasons to take leaves during the entire year \u2013 with travel restrictions and more flexibility working from home \u2013 and may be left with many more leaves than usual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The last thing you want to dampen morale is to announce that it will all be burnt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore\u2019s Public Service Division has already announced that they will allow employees to extend usage of leaves to 2021 and allow them to encash a portion of their leaves<\/a>. This sets a benchmark for the private sector as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Letting employees encash leaves may be expensive for businesses already faceing cashflow constraints, and forcing them to clear leaves may leave them more disgruntled than happy. Instead, you can be\u00a0creative with how you get employees to use some of their leaves<\/a>. This year has been challenging and it\u2019s good to keep workers refreshed and re-energised with a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: <\/em><\/strong>Should You Allow Employees To Encash Their Remaining Annual Leave This Year?<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The government has already made it known that those in the civil service will not be paid any year-end bonus<\/a>, but will still pay the annual wage supplement. This is typically seen as a cue for private sector as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As bottomlines are being strained, many employees have also had to pour in more effort to keep their companies competitive during this tough period.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour Business Space Requirements Has Changed \u2013 Regardless Of How COVID-19 Impacted You<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s Going To Happen To Annual Leaves?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
13th<\/sup> Month Annual Wage Supplement & Bonus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n