Work from Home Culture in Singapore?

[Seemstobe]

Hi fellow FTWM,
The concept of working from home is really common in the US but I have heard that its a totally different culture in Singapore . Wanted to know if this is a myth or firms in Singapore are supportive of such an arrangement ? Is it specific to MNCs only ?

[sundaymorningstaple]

The concept here is that if the boss can't see you he doesn't believe he's getting his money's worth. Only a couple companies really practice that. The only one that immediately comes to mind is HP. But I don't know if they are still promoting it or not. Most do not. MNC or SME.

[offshoreoildude]

Almost non existent. As the other poster said - 'to be seen, is to be working' - this is not just the bosses problem but also one for parents (no mother believes her kid is working from home - she thinks the kid has been fired) and colleagues (wah! - so lucky - boss cannot see you ah?).

[offshoreoildude]

I might add that MSFT have tried this and failed I believe.

[Seemstobe]

Any WFHM please raise your hand !! ... i really find it hard to believe there are hardly any WFHMs in this forum

[sundaymorningstaple]

It depends on what type of WFHM you are actually talking about. Are you a citizen or a PR? Or, are you on a Dependent's pass or LTVP pass?

Will make a big difference as well.

[Seemstobe]

Why would the citizenship or PR matter in this respect ? Are there special work privileges for full time working moms who are PRs ? Am new to Singapore hence don't have insights into these things.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You didn't answer my question.

[ecureilx]

my work place has a WFH system, subject to approval (of course) and .. well, you need to prove you have a seperate office room / area at home, prove your internet / phone line is ok .. etc. etc

I have one colleague of mine, from JB/Malaysia, who requested to work twice a week from home, in view of her three kids. She produced pictures of her 'office room' at home ..

Approved

And so does another Singaporean guy, who's wife is taking up some exam -3 days a week from home. Approved as well.

Others, if the job needs face to face meetings, no allowed / not likely to be approved.

HR has said they will only consider 5 days a week WFH only on a strictly case by case basis.

Then again, the colleague who works from home, I can see she is sometimes lost, as not all communication goes by EMail - all verbal communication is misplaced .. and she gets left behind .. often.

[the lynx]

Why would the citizenship or PR matter in this respect ? Are there special work privileges for full time working moms who are PRs ? Am new to Singapore hence don't have insights into these things.

Yes it matters.

Citizens and PRs do not have to go through MOM for employment approval (be it WFM or not) but foreigners have to go through MOM for ANY approval for employment, and that category includes EP/SPass/WP as well as their trailing spouses on DP (subject to additional permission via LOC) or LTVP (LTVP holders are not allowed to work at all).

Hence, the question.