Jamus Lim Highlights Work-Life Balance Lessons from COVID-19

In a Monday morning (Jul 18) Facebook post, Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim underlined one lesson the Covid-19 pandemic taught everyone, which is that the traditional model of 9 am to 6 pm working day at the office “wholly unnecessary for most jobs in the modern economy.”

“It was possible to connect to office systems from home, conduct effective meetings on Zoom, work around schedules of childcare and family time, dressed in PJs or sarongs or boxers. Everyone now has a better taste of work-life balance,” wrote the Sengkang GRC Member of Parliament, who is an Associate Professor of Economics at ESSEC Business School.

He admitted that there are disadvantages to remote work, such as a lack of socialization needed to foster team spirit, but added that this is best accomplished in events outside of work.

“Still, it seems better to bolster individual morale by granting greater flexibility in when and where we work, so long as targets and deliverables are still met. 

In the longer run, we should evaluate workers by outputs, not inputs,” he wrote.

He then added a link to an article from the Harvard Business Review which underlines how much workers “increasingly value autonomy” in that more employees are saying no to the five-day work week, but prefer three days at the office, and the other two working remotely. 

“My hope is that our local office culture will gradually evolve to better reflect such a modern approach toward work.

However, cultures don’t necessarily evolve as quickly as we’d like.”

He added that the government can contribute to the matter by setting an example for the private sector to follow.

“The public service is the natural place for such a policy to take root. Which is why I’m happy to hear that the government will indeed be embracing flexi-work arrangements for the public sector.”

Assoc Prof Lim also cited another article from the Harvard Business Review.

“Incidentally, another HBR piece also suggests that fears of loss of control, culture, and collaboration misplaced. Sure, some effort must be made to ensure such objectives aren’t forgotten; but one could say the same even in a traditional workplace.

Hopefully, our national work culture will get to a point where such admonitions are no longer necessary. In the meantime, we can all contribute toward changing mindsets in our own workplaces.”

/TISG

Read also: 

Jamus Lim: Resident shares concerns over migrant professionals crowding out locals – Singapore News 

Resident talks to Jamus Lim about challenges singles face in Singapore 

Resident tells Jamus Lim that higher prices are “too close, too many, can’t breathe” – Singapore News 

Jamus Lim: Gov’t shouldn’t be making money while times are so hard for people, but rather increase CPF interest payouts to help people now