Each of the 15 ministries will have a deputy secretary, who ranks one rung below the top spot occupied by the permanent secretary, leading the cause.

Known as the 'work-life advocate', the high-level officer will ensure the ministry has policies in place to support work-life balance.

In addition, a new post of 'work-life ambassador' will be created. The officer will promote and see to the day-to-day programmes as well as educate staff on work-life and pro-family practices.

These two champions will be introduced over the next 12 months at the ministries and 66 statutory boards.

Minister-in-charge of the civil service Teo Chee Hean, who is also Defence Minister, made the announcement yesterday, at a forum to discuss work-life practices.

Speaking to 500 employers, employees, union members and civil servants, he noted that in the last seven years, the public sector had stepped up efforts to help employees work hard and live life well.

For instance, it moved to the five-day work week three years ago. It is also pro-family, letting parents work part-time when necessary.

And in agencies like the Land Transport Authority, staff plagued by work or personal problems can turn to counselling, for free.

The latest moves, said Mr Teo, signal the Government's continued commitment to work-life balance.

The Public Service Division later announced that it would set up a unit to recommend the best schemes for public sector agencies to adopt.

One deputy secretary armed with ideas for his task ahead is Mr Sim Gim Guan, 42, from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.

He wants to go beyond helping those with families, to helping singles meet new friends and hopefully, their life partners.

'This could be through activities across ministries and statutory boards, giving people an opportunity to mingle say, at movie nights,' he said.

To give the cause a further boost, the Government had, in March, also topped up the Work-Life Works! Fund with an extra $10 million.

The money for work-life programmes is now also available to public sector agencies.

Previously, it was only for the private-sector which had used the money largely for infrastructure that lets workers to, for instance, telecommute.

The extra funding is expected to benefit more than 1,000 organisations.

But not every scheme requires an injection of cash, Mr Teo pointed out.

'Sometimes, it only takes some creative rearrangement of work practices,' he said, citing civil servant Corrine Tan, who has been working from home for the past eight years.

Ms Tan, 35, started working at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in 1993, as a labour relations officer.

In 1999, she wanted no-pay leave after the birth of her first child. Her bosses offered her part-time work from home, answering e-mail queries.

Today, she cares for her daughter, eight, and son, four, in-between meeting MOM's target of answering at least 85 per cent of the more than 50 e-mail messages received daily.

Her salary and perks are based on a 28-hour work week. Said Ms Tan: 'This set-up has allowed me to work and care for my family, instead of having to choose one over the other.'

lynnlee@sph.com.sg