140 Companies in S’pore Ordered to Cease Operations Since COVID-19 Workplace Management Measures Were Implemented

Has your boss called you back to the office even though your job can be done while on the toilet or in bed?

Do you still sit so close to your colleague that you can smell what they had for dinner the night before?

Does your boss still scold you without his mask on?

If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, I feel bad for you, but you may not have to work there much longer.

If the authorities discover these breaches, the whole place might just be ordered to shut down.

140 Companies in S’pore Ordered to Cease Operations Since COVID-19 Workplace Management Measures Were Implemented

Nearly 140 companies in Singapore have been ordered to cease on-site operations due to breaches of workplace safe management measures, which were introduced last March.

The breaches were detected during an inspection of more than 36,000 workplaces which commenced in March last year.

Another 280 errant companies were fined for breaching the regulations.

These latest figures were released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a Facebook post on Saturday (6 Feb).

According to the post, MOM has been stepping up its enforcement of safe management measures in workplaces to ensure companies stay vigilant during the pandemic.

Moreover, three of the four Covid-19 clusters here have links to workplaces.

Calling Back Workers The Most Common Violation

ST reported that the most common violation seen was offices calling back employees to the workplace despite them being able to do their jobs from home.

Unbeknownst to many, working from home remains the default arrangement, even though we’re in Phase 3 of our safe reopening.

Earlier, the authorities considered relaxing some workplace restrictions, but later decided against it due to the rise in community infections, some of which were linked to workplaces.

Other workplace offences included a failure to implement safe distancing measures at workstations and meeting rooms.

Current Rules for Employers

So, what can and can’t you do in the office?

For those who don’t know, here are the prevailing safe management measures for workplaces:

• Those who can do their jobs from home should continue to do so for at least half of their working time
• No more than half of those who can work from home are allowed in the office at any one time
• As much as possible, meetings should be kept virtual
• Those working in the office should have flexible or staggered hours. At least half of all employees at the workplace should start at or after 10am. If this is not possible, there should be other arrangements to reduce congregation
• Shifts or split-team arrangements should be used, and avoid interactions between teams, even outside work
• Employees must wear masks at all times
• There should be a distance of at least 1m between individuals at meeting rooms, work areas, workstations and at work events
• Common spaces must be regularly cleaned, especially areas with high human contact

The authorities also reminded companies not to organise social gatherings such as lohei or meals for Chinese New Year.

As the 140 companies will tell you, whether it’s for the sake of business or morale, flouting safe management measures is simply not worth it.

Featured Image: Facebook (Singapore Ministry of Manpower)