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Success Stories
URA
About Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is Singapore’s land use planning and conservation agency. Its mission is to “make Singapore a great city to live, work and play in” and its comprehensive long term planning efforts, have transformed Singapore into one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Through employee surveys, URA has received affirmation that its work-life policies are well-received. For example, more than 90 percent of officers responded that they are proud to work in URA and the average number of days of medical leave taken per staff is below the civil service average. URA was awarded the Work-Life Excellence Award 2008.
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A Flexible Benefits Scheme is in place where staff can claim reimbursement of up to $400 per year for their expenses incurred under three broad categories -- learning and development, health and fitness programmes and pro-family. For example, they can spend it on holidays to bond with their family members or use it to pay for course fees to upgrade themselves or meet their social needs. This scheme is well received by staff who enjoy the flexibility of being able to choose the benefits that best suit their needs at different stage of their life.
URA also initiates numerous healthy lifestyle programmes for its staff, such as Sports for Life Walk/Run, mass workouts, lunchtime and evening exercise classes and lunchtime health talks. Annual on-site health screening is also made available for all staff at subsidised rates. Staff are also encouraged to keep themselves fit and are given an hour of office time each week to exercise. URA was conferred the H.E.A.L.T.H Platinum Award in 2006 and it has been a Gold Award recipient since 2003.
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| Flexible Work Arrangements – Part Time, Telecommuting and Flexi Hours |
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URA’s senior management is mindful of staff who need to commence work later or who need to leave earlier because of family commitments, for example childcare arrangements. Therefore, staff are allowed to report to work any time between 8 am to 9 am and leave the office between 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
URA’s senior management is also supportive of applications for conversions to part-time employment, facilitating various stages of family commitments.
The organisation is also open to telecommuting requests. These applications are considered on a case by case basis taking into consideration the nature of the job, the officer’s circumstances and his or her work performance.
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Employee Quote
“With age catching up and realising the need to keep myself healthy and have better work-life balance, I started my daily exercise routine in June 2007. Now, I feel fitter, more energetic and have a renewed zest for life.”
- Ng Chor Seng, Higher Information Administrator
To find out more about URA, please visit: http://www.ura.gov.sg
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