3,500 Pieces of Feedback from Public Led to MOM Finding 66 Companies for Not Complying With SMM at Workplace

For the working community, you’ve probably joked about employers being the bane of your existence more than once or twice.

Except, no matter how frustrating you find your superiors to be, you would at least expect them to abide by the laws and be more understanding—especially in such difficult times.

Because no one would want to be charged for breaking COVID-19 laws, right?

Right?

66 Companies Discovered Failing to Comply with SMM After 3,500 Pieces of Feedback to MOM

On Tuesday (20 July) at around 7pm, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shared a post on its Facebook page regarding the compliance to Safe Management Measures (SMM) at the workplace.

In its post, MOM revealed that it had received over 3,500 pieces of feedback relating to workplace SMM since the start of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), which began on 16 May this year.

From this feedback, investigations conducted by MOM had led to the discovery of 66 companies failing to comply with SMM at workplaces, leading to enforcement actions being taken, said MOM.

“Some of this feedback could have been averted if employers had made adjustments to allow their employees to work from home or communicated their operational needs clearly,” added MOM.

Since Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) started (yes, we’re talking about the first P2HA), work-from-home has been the default for all employees.

“This means that employers must allow all employees who are able to work from home to do so,” wrote the agency.

This is in order to limit interactions in public spaces such as workplaces, which is critical to receding the risk of COVID-19 transmission, stated MOM, especially with the number of local transmitted cases rising.

The ministry also added that for employees who are unable to work from home—either due to the nature of their work or having to return on an ad hoc basis for work that cannot be done at home—employers should “clearly explain to these employees why they are required to be back at the workplace.”

Employees should also clarify their concerns with their employer, MOM encouraged.

Many Netizens Shared Personal Experiences

It seems like many people had been suffering in silence for a long time, and MOM’s post had prompted them to let out their frustrations.

Indeed, the comments section of MOM’s post was flooded with netizens sharing their personal or second-hand experiences, with some asking for advice on their situations.

“I also want to break the covid chain by WFH, but I had no choice other than to accept the arrangement by the company,” one Facebook user wrote.

“Lots of SMEs are still getting employees to go back daily,” shared another user, sharing that her husband was in the exact same situation, with his work load even being “double(d)”.

Another user shared: “What can employees do if employers insist they have to go back to office even though their work can be done from home? Someone I know had to return to the office from Wednesday, although COVID-19 cases are on the rise.”

Many also pointed out that the penalties for failing to comply with SMM at workplaces were too light.

“Employers say the current penalty is just peanut(s),” wrote one user, commenting that the penalty should be increased to “$10,000 per staff caught, and (that the) employer should face jail terms.”

To know more about what employers can’t do to employees (even after COVID-19 is over), watch this video to the end:

Featured Image: Facebook (Singapore Ministry of Manpower)