Haze in Singapore: Netizens share special workplace arrangements

SINGAPORE: As the haze continues to settle over Singapore, many people are wondering whether companies have implemented special workplace arrangements for the safety of their workers. This topic has been discussed on Reddit, where workers openly shared their own experiences. 

The majority of the workplaces shared that they have implemented working from home as one of the practical working arrangements during this time, especially since some buildings have no fancy air purification technologies. 

“Not everyone has air purifiers at home; hence, to ensure everyone benefits from the HEPA-filtered air in the office, 5 days of WFO has been implemented. Thank you, boss!” one declared. 

Another safety regulation that offices implemented is requiring their employees to wear N95/KN95/KF94 masks while travelling to and from the office. 

“Advisory went out that allows managers to exercise more discretion and flexibility for WFH. Reception can collect free N95 masks,” a comment concluded. 

The experiences shared by workers online indeed showed that workplaces have a variety of responses on how to deal with the haze as it continues to develop. While some employees have welcomed their companies’ proactive steps, others continue to hope for clearer, more consistent protections. 

In recent news, the air quality in Singapore has improved as the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings fall into the moderate range in three of the country's five regions for the first time in more than a week.

It was reported that the 24-hour PSI ranged from 85 in the north, where air quality was moderate, and 118 in the west, where it remained unhealthy. The north was the first region to see its PSI reading fall into the moderate band, and it marked the first time any part of Singapore had recorded moderate air quality since Oct 9. Moreover, the south and the east followed shortly.