Singapore: “Businesses Need to Sustain Output for Four-day Workweek to Work” The National Employers Federation of Singapore (SNEF) recently analysed employers' perspectives towards the four-day working week and why they support it

The survey results were compiled in an interesting article published in the Singapore Labour Journal.
The report provides information on the opportunities and challenges of a four-day working week, highlighting potential trade-offs that could be adopted in different industries in Singapore.

The survey was conducted from 28 October 2022 to 11 November 2022 and reached more than 2,500 companies. A total of 236 companies responded.

According to the results, one in four companies have implemented or are interested in implementing a four-day working week. The reasons for the choice lie in the desire to improve employee satisfaction and well-being and to strengthen the company's Employee Value Proposition (EVP).

On the other hand, companies not interested in such a solution expressed difficulties related to the company's operating cycle, increased costs due to additional workforce, and concerns about a fair implementation for all employees.

The results confirm that all employers, regardless of their position on the four-day working week, seek to attract and retain talent through a stronger work-life balance proposition, which is becoming increasingly crucial alongside salary and benefits.

At the same time, the report emphasises the need to safeguard business continuity and support production in the event of a reduction in working hours or days, as well as to be able to maintain the current level of employee compensation.

The report concludes by stressing the need to balance the trade-offs between business continuity and production with autonomy and flexibility in the workplace and inviting an authentic and courageous conversation between employers and employees to achieve better results.

Contribution from SNEF.