On Average, MOM Receives 640 Complaints a Month on Employers Breaking COVID-19 Rules

By
Shawn Ambrose
-
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As you can tell from your Netflix history, working from home has been the default for the most part during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After all, if an employee can do their work at home, why head to the office where they can potentially infect their colleagues and trigger a COVID-19 cluster?

Employers also need to implement safe management measures (SMMs) for those who need to return to the workplace, among a host of other precautionary measures.

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But just as there are people on the street who flout COVID-19 rules, there are employers sitting in their fancy blue and white offices on their satin black chair watching Squid Game all day who breach COVID-19 regulations too.

Boss: That was oddly specific. Are you referring to me? 

Of course not, boss. There’s nothing safer than working in toilet cubicles, as you said.

These employers who break the rules might think they’re getting away with it, but this isn’t always the case.

On Average, MOM Receives 640 Complaints a Month on Employers Breaking COVID-19 Rules

From January to September this year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had received an average of 640 complaints against employers who breach SMMs.

While this number remains stable, there are short-term spikes, usually seen after COVID-19 restrictions are tightened, MOM said.

Ah, when we’re still in the denial stage, you mean. 

One such spike took place after Phase 2 (Heightened Annoyance) was announced in May 2021 – over 3,500 pieces of feedback against errant employers were lodged from mid-May to mid-July.

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What Are the Rules?

With the COVID-19 rules constantly changing, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s what employers are expected to do now:

As previously mentioned, employers who are able to work from home should be allowed to do so.

There should also be no cross-deployment across workplaces or worksites or social gatherings at the workplace.

As for those who need to return to the office, employers should implement flexible working hours for them and stagger their start times.

As always, employees must wear their masks at the workplace at all times, and should have their meals individually and at staggered times.

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All Complaints Against Employers Will Be Kept Confidential 

In its statement, MOM reassured workers that all reports against employers will be kept “strictly confidential”.

The ministry advised employees who spot SMM breaches to first “reach out” to their employer to raise their concerns.

They can also report the breaches on MOM’s website.

Reader: Is being a jerk a breach?

A breach of morals, yes, but not of COVID-19.

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Reader: Damnit

Employers who fail to implement SMMs could face a fine or even be ordered to cease operations for serious breaches, MOM warned.

“Employers and employees … should exercise social responsibility and do their part to ensure that SMMs are properly implemented and adhered to at the workplace, in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission,” it said.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Singapore Ministry of Manpower)

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]