To achieve work-life harmony is not only a business goal, but also a winning strategy, Minister for Manpower Ng Eng Hen told local employers on Tuesday.

"To enable your employees to perform optimally all the time, employers need to enable employees to manage their work responsibilities alongside personal and family needs," Ng pointed out.

He enumerated the benefits of adopting work-life initiatives for companies, which include gains in productivity and shareholder value, improved employee engagement, greater attraction and retention of talent, and reduced health-related costs.

Admitting that most Singapore workplaces are still at an early stage in this regard, Ng encouraged local business leaders to take a proactive attitude towards flexible work arrangement, as well as making use of creative scheduling, technology and modern management practices.

He added that work-life programs are not likely to be abused due to the "existing checks in the system", saying that it is not employee welfare which will "lead to fewer hours worked and reduce productivity."

Ng was speaking at the launch of the first Work-Life Harmony Week in the city state.

To help local businesses start implementing work-life strategy, the Singapore government set up a fund of 10 million Singapore dollars (about 6 million US dollars) in August last year, and applied the biennial Work-Life Excellence Award to companies with such programs.

Source: Xinhua