Question on Telecommuting in the Public Service

Parliament Sitting: 4 Nov 2025

Ms Poh Li San: To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in view that close to 70% of companies in Singapore have not offered scheduled teleworking arrangements in 2023 (a) whether an update can be provided on whether the two-day work-from-home arrangement remains as the default working arrangements in the Civil Service, and (b) if so, why.

Written Reply by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister-in-charge of the Public Service

Teleworking is one of the forms of flexible work arrangement (FWAs) available to help public officers balance their work and personal responsibilities. This is not the default working arrangement for all public officers.

About half of public officers do not adopt this arrangement because their roles require them to be physically present at the workplace, such as frontline service delivery, security operations, or teaching. For these officers, they can access other forms of FWAs, including part-time work or staggered work hours with flexible start and end times.

For officers whose work allows for telecommuting, they still have to return to office whenever their duties require them to do so. While FWAs take into consideration the needs of the officer, work and operational needs take priority. It is not an entitlement.

We are committed to offering a range of FWAs that support our officers’ needs without compromising the operational effectiveness of the Public Service.