Citizens' Panel on Work-Life Harmony

Citizens Panel 2019 Infographic
On 28 September 2019, a diverse mix of 55 Singaporeans – ranging from employers and employees from various occupations and sectors, to grandparents and homemakers – convened as a Citizens’ Panel to deliberate the issue of work-life harmony in Singapore. The challenge posed to them was to identify ways to create conditions for greater work-life harmony in Singapore, prioritising what can be acted upon in the next 12 months.

Meeting up every fortnight for four full Saturdays in total, the Panel examined the issue from different perspectives, identified the key barriers, consulted with subject matter experts, weighed the potential costs and benefits of their proposed solutions, and eventually converged on an agreed set of recommendations.

On 9 November 2019, the Panel shared their recommendations with community leaders, representatives from employer and employee groups, and political office holders – key stakeholders who could help to bring their proposals to fruition.

Image Gallery

Minister Josephine Teo sharing her views after the presentation Presentation of the recommendations by the Panel members Working together as one Citizens’ Panel Notes from the Panel members to Minister Josephine Teo Working together as one Pitching of proposals Pitching of proposals Pitching of proposals Brainstorming and consolidating ideas Brainstorming and consolidating ideas Brainstorming and consolidating ideas Panel members engaging subject matter experts on their selected topic Working together as one Citizens’ Panel Minister Josephine Teo sharing her views with the Panel members during the conversation circle Panel members getting to know one another at the first session of the Citizens’ Panel Minister Josephine Teo participating in the introductory activity together with the members of the Citizens’ Panel Panel members engaging in discussions during the first session of the Citizens’ Panel Panel members exchanging views during the conversation circle 2 Panel members exchanging views during the conversation circle Minister Josephine Teo with the Panel members SM Teo Chee Hean, Minister Josephine Teo, SMS Dr Janil Puthucheary, and SPS Sun Xueling attending the My Family Fiesta at SAFRA Punggol on 8 September 2019. Babies in action during the SAFRA Diaper Dash. SM Teo, Minister Teo, and SMS Dr Janil spending time with families at My Family Fiesta. SM Teo and Minister Teo spending time with children and their parents at the Pizza-Making Workshop. SM Teo, Minister Teo, SMS Dr Janil, and SPS Sun with one the winners of SAFRA Diaper Dash. (From left) Minister Desmond Lee, Minister Josephine Teo and SMS Dr Amy Khor addressing the media during the Joint-Ministerial media conference on Marriage and Parenthood at My First Skool. Minister Teo, Minister Lee and SMS Dr Amy Khor playing with the children at My First Skool’s infant care. Minister Teo and SMS Dr Amy Khor interacting with children from My First Skool’s N2 group. Minister Josephine Teo with senior management and hotel staff. Minister Josephine Teo understanding how hotel staff get their fresh uniform every day via the employees’ RFID Automated Uniform Control System. Opening Ceremony Shot DPM Heng and Mrs Heng at DADs Promise Tree DPM Heng at Centre for Fathering Workshop DPM Heng at DADs My Tower Engaging members of the public on their views on shared parental responsibilities at REACH Listening Point DPM Heng and Mrs Heng on stage with three other couples from the audience. DPM Heng at REACH Listening Point Family posing for a photo at the REACH VoxWagen Minister Desmond Lee at Dads@School Forum. Minister Desmond Lee at Dads@School Forum. Participants at Dads@School Forum. Families taking part in the mass parent-child activity – ‘Our Music Studio’. Minister Josephine Teo interacting with families during the mass parent-child activity. Minister Josephine Teo interacting with families during the mass parent-child activity. Minister Josephine Teo interacting with families during the mass parent-child activity. Minister Josephine Teo posing for a photo with a participating family at the Embracing PArenthood Celebrations. Minister Josephine Teo seeking views about how the Government and community can support Singaporeans in their parenthood journey. Meeting Mdm Han Juat Hoon (Director), Ms Sandra Goh (Regional HR Manager) and Mr Rayson Lim (Chief Financial Officer) from M.Tech, a company which has managed to create a supportive work-life culture. With Calvin Lee, sales executive, 35, and Angela Goh, product manager, 33, who are a married couple with three kids. They both work in M.Tech. Minister Josephine Teo taking a group photo with M. Tech staff. Minister Josephine Teo, Professor Alex Sia (Chief Executive Office) and Associate Professor Ng Kee Chong (Chairman, Medical Board) visited young couple Cindy Choo and Sam Koh who just had their second baby boy. Minister Josephine Teo and Professor Alex Sia (Chief Executive Officer, KKH Women’s and Children’s Hospital) visiting Mdm Carina Seow who delivered her second child on 5 February, early Tuesday morning. Minister Josephine Teo, senior management of KKH and members from Healthcare Services Employees’ Union taking a group photo with the staff from Ward 82 maternity ward. Minister Josephine Teo interacting with a couple who is currently expecting their first child (Muhammah Abdul Jabbar Bin Kassim, 27, senior technician Marianoor Binte Kam Sani, 21, customer service agent) Communal Wall, which includes contributions from parents. Minister Josephine Teo lending a hand to male contestants who are competing to be the fastest to clean and dress a baby mannequin. The activity encourages fathers to play a more active role in child caring. Minister Josephine Teo with IKEA Deputy Managing Director Mike King at the communal wall, where they penned their thoughts on the best thing about being a parent.