SINGAPORE: Public service officers use their pro-family leave benefits on a needs basis, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament on Tuesday (Sep 9).
According to Mr Teo, 72 per cent of officers used the six-day childcare leave, 48 per cent used the two-day extended childcare leave and 78 per cent used paternity leave. MP Seah Kian Peng questioned why not more have taken up the pro-family leave benefits.
The Deputy Prime Minister said rather than focusing on the rate of utilisation of specific leave types, it is important to ensure that pro-family leave benefits are made known to officers. This way, they can make use of the benefits when they need to do so.
Mr Seah then suggested a top-down approach may be needed so that civil servants are encouraged to utilise the pro-family leave benefits.
source of news & image credit: channelnewsasia.com
