{"id":1260,"date":"2022-08-26T15:06:24","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T07:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2023-06-02T10:12:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T02:12:59","slug":"how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/","title":{"rendered":"How flexible working is suitable for Singapore SMEs now?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SMEs in Singapore are facing many challenges in providing flexible working.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The experience in Canadian small businesses inspires SMEs how to implement flexible work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Conditions of Employment Report released by the Ministry of Manpower, 53 percent of firms surveyed offered at least one flexible working arrangement, such as part-time work, flexible hours, or teleworking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still tend to lag in adopting workplace flexibility for a number of reasons.&nbsp;So what are the challenges that SMEs in Singapore are facing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_34 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><label for=\"item\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1'><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/#The_challenge_of_SMEs_in_Singapore\" title=\"The challenge of SMEs in Singapore\">The challenge of SMEs in Singapore<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/#Reason_for_the_hindrance_on_a_flexible_working_implementation\" title=\"Reason for the hindrance on a flexible working implementation\">Reason for the hindrance on a flexible working implementation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/#The_experience_of_implementing_flexible_work_Canadian_small_businesses\" title=\"The experience of implementing flexible work: Canadian small businesses\">The experience of implementing flexible work: Canadian small businesses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/#The_suitable_flexible_work_for_SMEs_Hybrid_working_and_Hybrid_office\" title=\"The suitable flexible work for SMEs: Hybrid working and Hybrid office\">The suitable flexible work for SMEs: Hybrid working and Hybrid office<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/26\/how-flexible-working-suitable-singapore-sme-now\/#What_setup_is_suitable_for_the_hybrid_office\" title=\"What setup is suitable for the hybrid office?&nbsp;\">What setup is suitable for the hybrid office?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_challenge_of_SMEs_in_Singapore\"><\/span><strong>The challenge of SMEs in Singapore<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A survey by credit and business information bureau DP Information Group found out that more than <strong>one in four<\/strong> SMEs in Singapore have difficulties hiring the staff they need. The Singapore employees said that they would like to have remote work and work flexibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/jobs\/spore-workers-want-bosses-to-listen-to-their-flexi-work-needs-ips-survey\">study by the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a> in Singapore showed that <strong>83% of employees<\/strong> said they were <strong>more concerned about work-life balance <\/strong>and <strong>81% wanted to spend time with their families<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, remote work allows employees to satisfy their needs. Moreover, <strong>42% of employees<\/strong> who <strong>prefer flexible work arrangements would consider quitting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, many of the <strong>SMEs in Singapore cannot smoothly provide remote work <\/strong>to their employees. There are lots of reasons why SMEs cannot solve these challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reason_for_the_hindrance_on_a_flexible_working_implementation\"><\/span>Reason for the hindrance on a flexible working implementation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/5W24XLysMFZ9BElCgT6T_F9puPs4ZiwtaLTw5ECdK02ZeKtRkvzgOdm_5E6VXlYNvv8xWU_eOabSxg9EbXw0cTyebqEtsPLMPFeskkSj5vBema3tVn8zQU6tQYk0GAtF45U5XHS35nzFNNyFXdRmMoc\" width=\"602\" height=\"339\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first reason is that SMEs do not support their employees to have remote work because <strong>it costs a lot of money to buy some software<\/strong> for the employees to work, such as virtual meeting software and online working platforms. This will increase the SME&#8217;s operation cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second reason is that directors of the <strong>SMEs thought that it needed extra manpower to monitor the remote work\u2019s employees<\/strong>. It would cost extra money for hiring people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final reason is that directors thought that <strong>it needs much time to monitor the remote work\u2019s employees<\/strong>. If the managers need to take lots of time for monitoring the remote work\u2019s employees, it would affect the work efficiency of management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on the above reasons, the SMEs\u2019 directors thought that their companies do not have enough extra resources to support their employees in remote work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the SMEs could not support the flexible work that the employees needs, the result is that they have already faced hiring challenges and impacting their productivity levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To support SMEs in Singapore to implement flexible working, SNEF(Singapore National Employers Federation) provide several pieces of advice for those companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_experience_of_implementing_flexible_work_Canadian_small_businesses\"><\/span><strong>The experience of implementing flexible work: Canadian small businesses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/employment-practices\/flexible-work-schedule\">&nbsp;Singapore Government<\/a> is suggesting all Singapore companies follow FWA. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/-\/media\/mom\/documents\/employment-practices\/flexible-work-arrangements.pdf\">FWA<\/a> is a new set of tripartite (Policymakers, employees, and unions) guidelines and the aim is to require employers to consider<a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/staff-requests-for-flexi-work-arrangements-must-be-considered-by-employers-by-2024\"> flexible work arrangement requirements fairly and properly by 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The meaning of a fairly and properly flexible work arrangement is that reminding the directors to decide on the working method should be balanced between the needs of the companies and employees, not only benefits one side.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More Details on FWA:&nbsp; <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/08\/11\/singapore-firms-keep-hybrid-working-snef\/#more-1204\"><strong>Advises to Singapore companies from The SNEF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the report of FWA, there is a survey about the experience of Canadian small businesses. The results of the survey revealed that <strong>over 80% <\/strong>of Canadian companies <strong><em>provide at least one type<\/em> of flexible work arrangement<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the report has included focus group discussions with Canadian owners and managers of small companies on the motivations and challenges in providing flexibility at work, it was found that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When employers support the work-life needs of employees, the employees usually reciprocate with better work performance and commitment;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Employers said that their employees respect the flexibility and support given to them and generally use it judiciously;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>While the companies trust their employees to use flexibility wisely, the employees are also vigilant that it is not abused.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>This reflects that if the SMEs in Singapore are implementing flexible working, the fact is it can increase their productivity levels and attract new talents to join. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important thing is that the report showed that implementing flexible work has lots of advantages, it is not like SMEs\u2019 directors who thought that there were lots of disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But is remote work the only flexible working mode for SMEs in Singapore? And do SMEs implementing flexible work really cost lots of money?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_suitable_flexible_work_for_SMEs_Hybrid_working_and_Hybrid_office\"><\/span><strong>The suitable flexible work for SMEs: Hybrid working and Hybrid office<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, remote work is not the only way to reach the flexible work that the employees need. Of course, it also does not need lots of money for the SMEs to implement flexible work. If the SMEs can implement flexible working in their office, they can also attract new talents to join or retain their talents. For example, SMEs can implement hybrid working in their offices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hybrid work is an approach that takes into account the individual\u2019s needs, whether they\u2019re at home or at the office. It allows the employees to decide their work location and workflow by themselves. Thus, <strong><em>flexible working<\/em> <em>hours<\/em> allow Singapore employees to spend more time with their families.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some data shows that most workplaces had vacancy rates of 20-50% prior to the coronavirus pandemic and 40% of an office\u2019s dedicated desk space sits unused on a given day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This shows that a large workspace is unnecessary for an office and the empty permanent desks are wasting the office resources. Therefore, <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/bookings-one\/desk-booking\">hot desking<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/bookings-one\/room-booking\">room booking<\/a> services are very suitable for the SMEs office and become hybrid offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a hybrid office can help SMEs to save operations by reducing the workspace. Also, <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/bookings-one\">hybrid offices<\/a> allow employees to work flexibly, and SMEs can retain their talents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many organizations see hybrid work as the evolution of remote working, allowing employers to better integrate remote working into overall business processes while providing comparable work experience for remote workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More Details on <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/2022\/07\/06\/tw-what-is-hybrid-work-2022\/#more-828\"><strong>Hybrid working<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_setup_is_suitable_for_the_hybrid_office\"><\/span><strong>What setup is suitable for the hybrid office?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cB1Clpl5YOU&amp;t=5s\">hybrid office<\/a> should use <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/\">a comprehensive office management system<\/a>, which helps Singapore employees use office resources efficiently, such as rooms, desks, and office equipment, and support them to have remote work and virtual meetings with their colleagues in the office.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are the company director in Singapore, using the management systems can help you consider how to reduce the operational cost such as reducing the office workspace and fulfilling the expectations of both employees and administrators.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1267\" srcset=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image-12.png 1000w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image-12-300x225.png 300w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/image-12-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/hk-en\/bookings-one\/request-demo\">ONES<\/a> is one of the famous all-in-one smart office systems that can help you to easily implement hybrid working at ease.&nbsp; You can easily perform virtual meetings, desk-hoteling, and digital office management with our <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/hk-en\/bookings-one\/room-booking\">Room Booking<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/hk-en\/bookings-one\/desk-booking\">Desk Booking,<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/hk-en\/bookings-one\/visitor\">Visitor Management<\/a> features.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/hk-en\/bookings-one\/request-demo\">ONEs Software<\/a> now has a dedicated page to introduce a series of hybrid working measures to help you solve problems. You may wish to go to <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/sg\/hybrid-workspace\/\">https:\/\/ones.software\/sg\/hybrid-workspace\/<\/a> for further reference.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact us: hello@ones.software, or visit ONEs Software official website for more information: <a href=\"https:\/\/ones.software\/sg\/\">https:\/\/ones.software\/sg\/<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SNEF (Singapore National Employers Federation) provides several suggestions for SMEs in Singapore to implement flexible working.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1262,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[155],"tags":[159,93,118,174,42],"class_list":["post-1260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-singapore-work-culture","tag-flexible-working","tag-future-of-work","tag-hybrid-working","tag-singapore-smart-office","tag-smart-office"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1260"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3387,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1260\/revisions\/3387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ones.software\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}