Employers in Singapore are increasingly providing options to members of staff to improve their work-life balance, it is claimed.

According to the Ministry of Manpower, the proportion of businesses providing such arrangements has risen from 25 per cent in 2007 to 35 per cent in 2010, with the most common benefit offered being part-time working.

The poll of 3,410 organizations found other provisions included staggered hours (6.5 per cent of respondents), flexitime (6.3 per cent) and teleworking (2.8 per cent).

In its Conditions of Employment Survey, the ministry noted that "besides the statutory leave benefits, many employers provided other leave benefits to help their employees cope with family commitments".

These may include paternity, marriage and compassionate leave, with such bonuses becoming more common in the labor market.

Ministry of Manpower data published last month showed additional jobs were created in Singapore during the third quarter of 2010, with a climb in positions of 20,500 during the period.

Posted by Sarah Dixon