Government Guidelines, Grants and Tools on Workplace Support
The workplace is where most adult Singaporeans spend a majority of their day at, and is thus a key setting for addressing mental health issues and promoting mental wellbeing practices. Companies and organisations can have a positive influence on their employee’s mental health, through creating the right type of support structures and conducive working environments.
Work Stress
According to the Ministry of Manpower statistics, Singaporeans work an average of 45 hours or more per week. A Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey conducted in 2019 found that 92% of working Singaporeans are stressed.
This was 8% higher than the global average. Many reports have shown that the workplace is cited by Singaporeans as a key source of stress.
While an increasing number of Singaporean companies are realising the importance of addressing and implementing workplace wellness programmes, there is still much more that needs to be done. According to the report, only a third of respondents shared that they have formal workplace wellness programmes.
Organisations globally are realising that investing in the mental health of their employees not only promotes a healthier working environment but reduces costs as well.
In Singapore, focus on workplace mental health and wellbeing efforts has increased.
Useful Guides
Here are some useful government guidelines and advisories:
- Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces was jointly launched in 2020 by tripartite partners – Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). The Tripartite Advisory sets out practical guidance on measures that employers can adopt to support their employees’ mental well-being, and provides resources that employers, employees and self-employed persons can tap into.
- In Dec 2019, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment (TAFEP) updated guideline stating that Mental Health declarations for job applications are not required and discriminatory.
Mental Health Tools & Grants
- MOM Workplace Safety and Health Institute has developed and launched iWorkHealth – a workplace psychosocial health assessment tool for companies and employees to identify common workplace stressors
- Government workplace grants for wellbeing programmes – Employers can tap on:
- Health Promotion Board (HPB)’s existing mental well-being programmes under the Workplace Outreach Wellness (WOW) Package
- Workplace Safety and Health Council’s Total Workplace Safety & Health Programme offers a range of mental health programmes
- NCSS Mental Health Toolkit for Employers – A to guide employers in hiring and supporting Persons with Mental Health Conditions in the workplace
- Silver Ribbon Singapore – mental health matters handbook for employers and employees to promote positive mental health in the workplace.
