HR community must adapt quickly to workforce changes in light of drivers' strike: SHRI

The illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China this week has highlighted the need for the human resources (HR) community to adapt quickly to changes in the makeup of the workforce. 

The Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) said on Friday that the incident offers lessons for the HR community. 

It stressed the need to be proactive, progressive and adapt quickly to changes which affect the health, safety, day-to-day activities and well-being of people in Singapore. 

SHRI said companies can better engage the new workforce by sharing the culture, policies and practices of Singapore. 

They should have differentiated staff orientation programmes for a diverse workforce. 

They should also conduct regular sessions to better understand the needs of the new workforce. 

SHRI said companies must also share with employees the way grievances should be handled to prevent such an incident from happening again. 

Four SMRT drivers from China have been charged with instigating the illegal strike, which affected bus services.