SINGAPORE - Eleven companies have been fined for failing to get their employees to work from home.

They were caught during inspections conducted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). More than 530 workplaces were inspected between May 8 and May 21.

Offenders are fined $1,000, with the amount rising to $2,000 for repeat breaches.

All employees who are able to work from home must do so, under the latest advisory for safe management measures issued on May 14, said MOM in a statement on Monday (May 24).

Only employees who are unable to work from home owing to the nature of their work - such as those who need to access equipment housed in the workplace - can continue to work on site, added MOM.

All employers who carry out operations on site must declare the number of workers they have at the workplace.

They are required by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to do this by May 28, and continue to update the ministry when there are significant changes.

"Regardless of the declared number of workers, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that all employees work from home if they are able to do so," said MOM.

MOM will still penalise employers if those who can work from home are found on site, even if they do not exceed the maximum number allowed at the workplace.

Some employees told The Straits Times that their companies have been resistant to the new restrictions.

An employee at a branding agency, who wanted to be known only as Ms Callie, said her employers had insisted that staff return to the office last week despite the new guidelines. The company reversed its decision only last Thursday.

She said the company had initially said she and her co-workers had to return as they were essential workers.

"My colleagues and I were quite angry because we think it's dangerous for us to go to work every day and potentially bring the virus back to vulnerable family members - one of them has a kid and another lives with her grandmother," said the 25-year-old.

Ms Callie said her work, which involves mainly research, can be done from home.

An events company employee, who wanted to be known only as Ms Ye, 40, is still required to go to the office by her employers.

She is worried about being exposed to the virus, especially with the new strain and higher daily case numbers.

"I would think commuting to work should be avoided at all costs for now," she said.

"My colleagues and I can be just as effective from home in our line of work."

In February, about 140 firms were told to stop on-site operations after serious breaches of Covid-19 workplace safety rules.

More than 280 were fined, said MOM in a Facebook post on Feb 6.

January saw the formation of two workplace clusters - one at Golden Bridge Foods Manufacturing in Senoko and another at BS Industrial and Construction Supply in Kallang.

Golden Bridge's cluster had three Covid-19 cases linked to it - two co-workers and one of their wives - while BS Industrial's had eight people - six employees, one spouse and a housemate.

The ministry also said employers must ensure that adequate safe management measures are in place at all times for employees who are on-site.

These measures include:
a. Staggering start times and allowing flexible workplace hours.
b. No cross-deployment across workplaces or worksites.
c. No social gatherings at the workplace.
d. Meal breaks must be taken alone and at staggered times.
e. Masks must be worn at the workplace at all times.

MOM added that it would be increasing its inspections of workplaces to ensure the latest guidelines are followed. The full list of guidelines can be found at http://go.gov.sg/smm