MOM Shuts Down 3 Workplaces For Making Staff Go Back Unnecessarily

MOM Asks 3 Workplaces To Cease Operations After They Broke Safe Management Measures

During Phase 1 & 2 of reopening the country, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has asked companies to have employees continue working from home as much as possible. Staff should only go to work if absolutely necessary.

They’ve come up with measures, dubbed Safe Management Measures (SMM), so that workplaces don’t become new Covid-19 clusters.

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During an inspection of more than 200 workplaces, 3 were found to have recalled all their employees to work without valid reasons, and were asked to shut down.

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Staggered work times, masks required at workplaces

Among the measures required for SMM is that employees must sit 1-metre apart from each other.

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No socialising in groups is allowed at workplaces either. Of course, you can do so virtually. Masks must be worn at all times.

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Also, there is a limit on how many employees can be in the office. For more details, you can check this link.

The 3 workplaces which were shut down apparently made all their employees return to the office, which goes against the measures.

Meanwhile, 14 other companies were fined for breaking measures in one form or another.

Please work from home and avoid commuting during peak hours

Working from home should still be the default as far as possible, said Mr Silas Sng, who is Divisional Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Division at MOM.

You can actually report your employer for making you go back to the office when you can easily work from home.

MOM will question the employer as to whether it’s necessary for you to return to your workplace, and if they cannot give an adequate explanation, MOM will take action.

Employers are also responsible for staggering work hours so that employees avoid peak hour traffic.

So yes, you do have the right to work from home if you’re able.

Featured image adapted from Facebook.