More allowed to return to workplace from Sept 28: So what now?

GeneralSeptember 25, 2020 13:25

Written by Max Loong, Assistant Marketing Manager - Reeracoen Singapore 

As Singapore's COVID-19 cases remain low, the Singapore Government announced that some workplace safety measures will be eased starting Monday, 28th September 2020.

Does that mean we will need to be back in our workplace? How can we still keep ourselves safe?

Fret not, here are some answers to your burning questions regarding the new guidelines.

Do I have to go back to the office if my manager asks me to?

Yes. However, employers must ensure you are working from home (WFH) at least half of your working time. To illustrate, if you're working on a 5-day work week,  your manager can require you to be back in the office for 2.5 days a week. 

Return to the workplace can either be initiated by the employee and agreed upon with the employer, or directed by the employer.

Employers must ensure that not more than half the people who can WFH are in the office at any time. For instance, employers could place employees on split shift teams where each team will alternate between work-from-home and the workplace on a weekly basis.

 

Does this mean that I can interact with colleagues in the office?

No. You will still need to wear a mask at all times and keep 1m apart from your colleagues.

You should not gather in groups larger than the current permitted group size for social gatherings even during meals or smoke breaks.

 

I'm tired of working from home. Can I go back to the office full-time?

If your job can be done working from home, you should be working from home half the time.

Unless your employer can provide justification on why you cannot WFH with business/operational reasons, despite reviewing work processes and arrangements.

 

What about employees with medical conditions with low immune system, or those who are above 60?

As they are more prone to the virus, employers should make special arrangements for them to work from home. If the work nature or circumstances does not allow so, they can require them to come back to the office but ensuring safe distancing measures are strictly followed.

 

Will my leave days count towards the total number of days I spend working from home?

Yes. For example, if you normally work a five-day week, you are allowed to go back to the office for 2.5 days every week. If you decide to take two days of leave that week, your boss can still require you to go back to the office for 2.5 days. You will then spend the remaining half day working from home.

 

Can my manager require me to go back for trainings, meetings, or events?

Yes. Although WFH should be the working default, meetings should be minimised and done virtually as far as possible. These meetings must be work-related and not of a social nature. Any activities done outside of the office is considered time in office.

 

Work-related events of up to 50 people can now take place in the office. What is considered a work-related event?

Work-related events include meetings, training sessions, townhalls, corporate retreats, tender briefings to vendors and business conferences, as well as onboarding or retrenchment exercises.

They do not include celebrations, parties, dinner and dance events, team bonding activities or gala dinners. Employers should not organise or encourage social gatherings within or outside the office.

 

How can I avoid over crowding in to the workplace as an employer?

Employers can stagger start times (e.g. starting work at or after 10am), implement flexible workplace arrangements (e.g. half day at office, half day WFH; or only returning to office only on meetings) Employers can also Implement split or shift team operations, ensure that there'sno mixing of employees from different teams.

 

My employer is breaking the rules, how can i report this?

You can do so via the SnapSAFE app, which can be found in the App Store or the Google Play Store.

 

 

Currently about 70 per cent of the Singapore workforce works from home, down from 80 per cent during the circuit breaker period. While many companies are getting used to the idea of telecommuting, some companies plans to ease staff back into office. What do you think about the new guideline, do you prefer continue working from home? Let us know in the comments!