Part‑time employment, childcare and paternity leave

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on part-time employment, childcare and paternity leave

Parliamentary Sitting: 4 August 2014

Mr Seah Kian Peng: To ask the Prime Minister (a) for statutory boards and Ministries, what is the respective range of take-up rates for (i) part-time employment scheme by Division 1 officers and non-Division 1 officers; (ii) childcare leave of six days per year for parents with children aged 6 and below and the extended childcare leave of two days per year for children aged 7-12; (iii) paternity leave; and (b) for each of these indicators, which are the top and bottom five statutory boards and Ministries respectively.

Written Reply by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister in charge of the Civil Service and Minister for Home Affairs:

The Public Service supports the needs of our officers.  We provide leave benefits and offer flexible work arrangements like part-time employment. In 2013, 1,488 (1.7%) Division 1 officers and 318 (0.6%) non-Division 1 officers were on part time employment. 72% of eligible public officers used the 6-day childcare leave and 48% of eligible public officers used the 2-day extended childcare leave. 78% of eligible public officers used their paternity leave. It is not meaningful to compare part-time employment and leave take-up rate across ministries and statutory boards, given their diverse work nature and employee profile.