Businesses urged to plan for high absenteeism and potential overtime, especially in essential services
As Singapore experiences a rise in Omicron Covid-19 cases, the tripartite partners—Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress, and the Singapore National Employers Federation—have issued an advisory urging businesses to prepare for high levels of workforce absences. Employees may be required to work longer hours to cover for colleagues, particularly in essential sectors, as companies face challenges in managing staff shortages.
The advisory highlights that employers in essential services—such as healthcare and transportation—may apply for exemptions from overtime limits, particularly for workers in roles covered by Part 4 of the Employment Act. These include workers earning a basic monthly salary of not more than S$4,500 for manual labour and employees earning less than S$2,600 a month. However, certain tasks, such as those requiring mental concentration for safety or involving continuous manual machinery operations, will not be eligible for overtime exemptions.
To mitigate disruptions, employers are encouraged to review their business continuity plans. Key recommendations include:
Identifying critical functions and deploying employees in split teams to reduce operational risks
Cross-training employees to ensure continuity in case essential workers test positive for Covid-19
Conducting regular testing for onsite employees to detect and isolate positive cases early
Maintaining communication with infected employees to track their recovery and facilitate timely returns
Ensuring adherence to safe management measures
Developing clear policies on leave and salary arrangements during workforce shortages
Preparing for operational adjustments such as remote work or temporary help, as needed
Employers are also advised to communicate with customers about potential delays in service delivery due to staff shortages.
The advisory stresses the importance of collaboration between employers and employees during this challenging period, urging mutual support to maintain business continuity while safeguarding health and safety. Employers are encouraged to recognize the sacrifices made by employees during this time.
