| Work-life
management training in MCDS |
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| A
training participant making a
presentation to the class. |
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The Ministry
of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) recognises
that supervisors/managers play a pivotal role in
enabling work-life effectiveness. In its quest to
foster a work-life friendly workplace culture, it
organised a half-day Work-Life Management Training
Programme for its managers.
The training programme was specially customised
to meet the needs of the participants and was conducted
in-house by MCDS’ local work-life consultants.
The consultants incorporated a combination of games,
group discussions, case studies, video and short
lectures in the training session. The participants
had fun and a great time learning. They gained an
increased awareness in the following areas:
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the need for
work-life effectiveness |
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the business
benefits of work-life initiatives |
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the importance of establishing
the business case when evaluating requests
for flexi-work arrangements |
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global and local work-life
best practices |
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managing performance in
a flexible work environment |
Through the games, active group discussions and
case studies, the participants learnt that different
individuals play different roles in life which affect
the decisions they make in their jobs. For example,
singles are more prepared to accept overseas assignments
due to fewer family commitments.
The participants also learn about the dual ownership
role of both the employee and manager in the flexi-work
arrangement process.
By the end of the training programme, the participants
not only had a better understanding of how to evaluate
a flexi-work proposal based on a business case,
they also gained knowledge on how to better manage
performance, client expectations and co-worker perceptions
in a flexible work environment.
The feedback for the training was positive. Said
Mr Cheng Tai Chin, Registrar — CS/RMBO, Community
& Social Sector Development Division, “The
course provided me with an understanding of the
need for a business case to evaluate work-life proposals.
Both the organisation and employee must benefit
from the flexible work arrangements.”
Ms Olga Sia, Assistant Director — Corporate
Services, Rehabilitative Protection Division, said,
“I have gained a greater awareness of the
work-life programmes available in the ministry.
The programme also made me more conscious of the
need to devote more quality time to my family even
as I try to excel in my work.”
Said Ms Farah Mohd, Senior Manager of Family Development
Division, Social Development Unit, “What was
taught at the training programme was not entirely
new but it helped reinforce our belief that a satisfied
and more fulfilled employee would be more effective
and productive in the organisation.” |
