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The Face of Pro-Family (Singapore edition)
I had the opportunity to lunch with a group of high-powered male Singaporean business executives in Hong Kong a few months back and amongst them a high-level Singapore government official. Many amongst the group are running public-listed companies and renown MNCs.
I’m not sure how the conversation around the table evolved but we eventually talked about the new pro-family scheme implemented by the government (which was introduced during that period in time).
One of the items in the scheme that draw attention to the luncheon was the 16-week maternity leave that the government was putting in place. I heard comments like:
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“If you hire 3 of them, you lose one whole year!” (this comment drew much laughter)
(drawing from the above comment) “… or you’ll go bankrupt!”
“How do we do business like this?”
“Don’t hire women.”
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I was shocked by the insensitive talk that went around the table. It was also interesting that the government official who represents the country and government did not utter a word of protest or suggestion otherwise.
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Is this what “pro-family” is about? And to think that we live in an equal opportunity society. Obviously, these concepts are mocked upon when a group of “macho” men get together.
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January 3, 2009 - 7:59 pm
I am not surprised by the conversation among the male Singaporean business executives. Many businessmen and companies in Asian countries have this kind of mindset, that is hiring a female employee – who is entitled to maternity leave – is a loss to the company. As a female employee probably will get married, give birth to a child and raise her son/daughter, from employers’ point of view, she will leave the company eventually. Money, resources and time spent on training and development on the female employees will be wasted. However, there are more and more professional female employees can handle their career and family. They will be back to workforce and contribute to the companies given that the support from supervisors and colleagues.
In European countries, people are used to equal opportunity society, maternity leave and paternity leave. Companies have systematic personnel schemes such as paid maternity and paternity leave, flexible working hours, child care centre to ensure their employees have balanced and healthy family life. Asian companies should learn from European’s personnel scheme and provide aid to employees. If employees have a healthy family life, they will treat the customer nice and companies will have the great reputation in employee-friendly policy and good customer relationship. Opposite to those male Singaporean business executives, an employee-friendly policy always is win-win to the companies.