Singapore Airlines will now retain pregnant cabin crew

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is allowing pregnant stewardesses to take on ground jobs until they give birth. Stewardesses previously had to quit flying for the carrier. SIA's spokesperson told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that the temporary ground attachment may range between a minimum of three months to approximately nine months. All eligible pregnant cabin crew will enjoy paid maternity leave, and can resume their flying duties at the end of their maternity leave.

"We continue to work hard to retain our talented people and invest in them, so that they can deliver the world-class service that SIA is renowned for. Our cabin crew, for example, go through the longest basic training programme in the industry. This comprehensive programme covers almost every in-flight customer touchpoint," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that regular recurrent training also allows employees to pick up new skills, or enhance their existing capabilities, to offer even better service. The airline did not comment on why it only just made the change.

According to The Straits Times, the new policy came into effect since 15 July. Prior to the change, SIA stewardesses were placed on no-pay leave when they are declared to be pregnant. They are also made to leave the airline the day after submitting their child's birth certificate, ST said. The employee would have to reapply to SIA under a returning crew scheme should she wish to fly again later. The scheme, however, does not guarantee re-employment, ST added.

Employee wellness has become even more important today, especially with the trend of the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting. According to a Southeast Asia report by Robert Walters, 87% of professionals in Singapore have rethought or relooked at their relationship to work in the past year. Mental and physical well-being (73%) was the top factor that professionals reassessed.

Meanwhile, over the past year, employees in Singapore have seen companies offer greater flexibility/remote/hybrid work arrangements (30%) to retain talent within the past year. At the same time, 64% of employers said they have taken similar measures to better retain employees, Robert Walters found. Close to half (49%) of employers have also offered opportunities for training and upskilling.

Although most professionals are looking to move between jobs in the coming year, 80% of talent would reconsider and not resign if conditions are right. These include a salary increment (45%), promotion (28%), and a change in job scope, remit, and responsibilities (25%).

Robert Walters Singapore's country manager Monty Sujanani said that employers should always maximise each engagement opportunity with their employees. "Invest in their growth, especially when it comes to highly relevant new skills. In a dynamic hiring market, while you can’t control the economic headwinds, you can determine your own actions and ensure employees enjoy the workplace culture," he added.

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