Supporting Working Parents During Singapore’s Exam Season: Why It Matters for Talent Retention

ManagementSeptember 01, 2025 09:00

Every September in Singapore, families experience one of the most high-stress periods of the year: the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and N-Level exams. For parents, these exams are more than academic milestones — they are emotionally and logistically demanding events that impact daily routines, workplace productivity, and overall wellbeing.

For employers, exam season is a talent management and retention opportunity. Companies that proactively support working parents can foster loyalty, reduce stress-related absenteeism, and strengthen their employer branding in Singapore’s highly competitive labour market.

Why Exam Season Impacts the Workplace

  • Parental Stress & Productivity: According to the Ministry of Education, nearly 40,000 students sit for PSLE each year. That’s tens of thousands of parents juggling revision timetables, emotional support, and work.
  • Work-Life Integration: Many parents take urgent leave or adjust working hours. Without structured flexibility, this can cause strain between employees and managers.
  • Retention Risks: A study by HRM Asia found that work-life balance is now one of the top three reasons employees leave a job in Singapore. Ignoring family needs during exam periods may contribute to turnover.

HR Best Practices During Exam Periods

1. Flexible Work Arrangements

  • Offer hybrid schedules or flexi-hours so parents can supervise children during key revision times.
  • Allow shift-swapping in operational roles to accommodate exam-related responsibilities.

2. Wellness & Mental Health Support

  • Provide access to employee assistance programs (EAPs) that include stress management.
  • Organise internal talks or webinars on coping strategies for exam stress, aimed at both parents and children.

3. Leave Policies That Recognise Family Priorities

  • Some progressive firms are introducing “family exam leave” or allowing compassionate leave usage.
  • Even small gestures, like allowing early log-off on exam days, can make a significant impact.

4. Managerial Empathy Training

  • Equip managers to show understanding, avoid penalising productivity dips, and focus on outcomes rather than rigid hours.

Why It Matters for Retention & Employer Branding

  • According to our APAC Workforce Whitepaper 2025, 71% of Singapore workers rank work-life balance as a top priority when choosing employers.
  • Family-friendly policies are especially attractive to mid-career professionals in their 30s–40s, who form the backbone of Singapore’s workforce.
  • Companies that accommodate parental needs build long-term loyalty, reducing turnover and hiring costs.

 

👉 Companies: Ready to design policies that attract and retain top talent?
Connect with Reeracoen’s Recruitment Advisers to build a workforce that thrives — at work and at home.

👉 Jobseekers: Looking for employers who value work-life balance?
Explore opportunities with us.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Should exam-related leave be a formal HR policy?

A: Not always — but formalising flexibility (e.g., hybrid options, parental support days) signals trust and care, which enhances retention.

Q: Isn’t flexibility during exam season only relevant to a small group?

A: Parents with school-aged children make up a significant portion of Singapore’s workforce. Even for those without children, family-friendly culture is a major employer branding factor.

Q: How does this tie into overall business performance?

A: Supporting parents reduces absenteeism, improves productivity, and positions companies as attractive employers in a competitive labour market.

 

 

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