Stay‑at‑home mothers in the Public Service

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on stay-at-home mothers in the Public Service

Parliamentary Sitting: 15 Aug 2016

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether the public sector hires or engages stay-at-home mothers (not staff who go on flexible work arrangements); (b) if no, whether the public sector agencies can engage them for selected categories of work which stay-at-home mothers can perform from home; and (c) if yes, how many stay-at-home mothers are currently hired in the public sector.

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

Public service agencies offer a range of freelancing opportunities, from administration to research. Stay-at-home mothers with the relevant skills can apply for such work.  However, we are unable to gauge their numbers among successful applicants as their family status is not a criteria for job selection.

Beyond freelancing opportunities, public service agencies also offer mothers long-term careers.  Where the nature of the jobs allow, mothers may apply to work on a part-time basis or telecommute from home.  As at the end of 2015, about 5% of mothers working in the civil service are on part-time arrangements.  An internal survey also showed that about one quarter of respondents who are mothers have telecommuted, including 10% who do so at least once a fortnight.