Ever since Singapore entered DORSCON Orange in early February 2020, work-from-home became the default work arrangement for many businesses. Fast-forward more than one year on, this is set to change \u2013 the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has updated its requirements for safe management measures at the workplace advisory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effectively, work-from-home will no longer be the default work arrangement<\/strong> from 5 April 2021<\/strong>. Here are 10 things businesses need to know about the shift away from the current default work-from-home arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 75% employees who can work from home will be allowed to be at their workplace at any one point from 5 April 2021. This is an increase from the current cap of 50%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses should pay special attention to the older and other vulnerable employees. MOM encourages employers to take appropriate measures to reduce their infection risk, including allowing work-from-home, enabling off-peak travelling schedule, temporary redeployment to other roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before this, businesses had to ensure that employees who can work from home must do so for at least half their working time. This limit on the amount of time employees must work from home will also be lifted from 5 April 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the cap has been lifted, MOM encourages flexible workplace hours to limit the time spent in the workplace for employees as far as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: Any Real Reasons For Businesses Not To Hire\/Expand In 2021?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, businesses have to ensure that employees reduce physical interactions and ensure safe distancing by working in split teams. From 5 April 2021, this is no longer necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers should still allow for staggered start times for employees, allowing at least half to arrive after 10 a.m. \u2013 after peak travelling hours \u2013 as far as possible. Lunch breaks and other breaks should also be similarly staggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While split team arrangements will be lifted from 5 April 2021, this is primarily for employees who have to work at the same workplace. Restrictions against cross-deployment across workplaces will remain in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If employees have to work at more than one worksite, additional safeguards should be taken to limit the interaction of personnel from different worksites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From 5 April 2021, social and recreational gathering, for events such as team bonding, will be allowed. Nevertheless, team sizes must be limited to no more than 8 persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work-related events of up to 50 pax will also be allowed. However, MOM encourages businesses to refrain from making meals the main feature of any social activities or holding events over mealtimes. This is to minimise interactions without masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: How Much Government Salary Support Can Companies Receive When Hiring A Full-Time Employee In 2021?<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As more employees return to the workplace, businesses have to be extra vigilant to step-up cleaning of common spaces, provide cleaning and disinfecting agents, demarcating safe physical distancing of at least 1 metre, wearing masks at all times remain in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since October 2020, certain types of events were piloted with pre-testing successfully. As such, the following types of events will be allowed to scale up further if they implement pre-testing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n#1 More Employees Who Can Work From Home Will Be Allowed Back To Their Workplace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#2 Pay Special Attention To Older And Vulnerable Employees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#3 No Caps On The Time Employees Can Spend In Their Workplace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#4 Split Team Arrangements No Longer Mandatory<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#5 Staggered Start Time Encouraged<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#6 Cross-Deployment Restrictions Across Workplaces Will Remain In Place<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#7 Social And Recreational Gatherings Now Allowed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#8 Employees Must Continue To Wear Mask, And Adhere To Other Safe Management Measures At The Workplace<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#9 Certain Events To Be Scaled Up Further \u2013 Boosting Businesses Within Those Fields<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n