Government will consider accreditation, look into sick bays for childcare leave implementation
But most important will still be a change in workplace norms and practices
Singapore's government is considering accreditation and exploring sick bays in childcare centres to support the implementation of childcare leave for working parents. Minister Indranee Rajah suggested that employers should not treat accreditation like a PSLE, with rigid criteria, as it could cause additional stress. She tasked Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming with investigating the sick bay idea.
MP Cassie Lee previously proposed creating sick bays in childcare centres to allow parents to leave work temporarily and return within hours. MP Lee Hong Chuang proposed allowing parents to cash in childcare leave, with the money given to their own parents for child care. However, Indranee stressed that cashing in leave would not help the children left at home.
The government aims to support businesses by covering the cost of leave, enabling employers to hire temporary staff or reward existing employees for covering responsibilities. Ultimately, the government seeks to normalize caregiving leave in the workplace by redesigning job roles and implementing flexible work arrangements.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
