Addressing the implementation gap: An integrated approach to identifying barriers and facilitators to flexi work arrangements in Singapore

• Main Authors: STRAUGHAN, Paulin Tay, TADAI, Mindy E
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2016
• Subjects: flexible work; middle management; organisational culture; part-time work; per-formance evaluation systems; Asian Studies; Work, Economy and Organizations
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2199; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/3456/viewcontent/Straughan_et_al_2016_Asia_Pacific_Journal_of_Human_Resources__1_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

This article addresses the implementation gap in the provision of work—life policies in Singapore. While both employers and government in principle endorse the ideology of flexibility in the work place, this has not yet translated into widely adopted policies. This study examines barriers and facilitators to part-time work, and highlights organisational and managerial factors contributing to the implementation gap. It is imperative in ageing societies with declining fertility rates that flexibility be mainstreamed to encourage optimum labour force participation. For both married women with childcare responsibilities and older adults, flexiwork is central to their continued economic participation. In particular, part-time work enables mothers to meaningfully integrate work and family responsibilities, and allows older adults to reap the benefits of economic engagement post-retirement.