We held our 182^nd AGM on 22 June 2023. Following lunch we were delighted to host a dialogue with our Guest of Honour Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and for National Development. The dialogue was expertly moderated by Ms. Wong Su-Yen, Chairperson Singapore Institute of Directors.

As you will have seen on the news, the Minister took the opportunity of her address to encourage all businesses to adopt Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) as a pragmatic response to the home and health needs of employees. During the dialogue with members and guests we talked about how FWAs are just one component of a positive workplace culture. They are enabled by trust. Employees need to trust their people managers will acede to their reasonable requests and people managers need to trust colleagues will not abuse their trust.

It takes leadership from everyone in a business to achieve a fit for purpose, positive and safe work environment which enables employees to give their best knowing that will be appreciated and recognized with reasonable flexibility by their people managers. We always say leadership always starts from the top. It does.

• Boards should see governance of workplace culture as a fiduciary responsibility for the best of commercial reasons: the attraction and retention of talent to implement their business’s strategy. FWAs are part of this cause and effect axis: look after your people, trust they will fulfil their work obligations and reward accordingly.

• C suite executives should consistently walk the talk in how they lead and manage their people. They should also ensure every people manager does the same so that every employee’s experience across the business is equally positive.

• Each team member should practise self leadership and understand that flexibility cuts both ways. Work life integration means work must be done and life must be lived.

The Chamber would like to thank the Minister for an authentic and engaging dialogue, Su-Yen for her moderating skills and all members and guests who took the time to celebrate another year in the life of Singapore’s longest serving, independent business association.