A Well-Meaning Initiative or Just a Temporary Fix for an Overworked Society?
Every quarter, employees from select companies are encouraged to leave work early for ‘Eat With Your Family Day’ (EWYFD), an initiative introduced in 2003 by the Centre for Fathering (CFF). This year, the first EWYFD falls on March 14th, with firms like Eu Yan Sang International and City Developments Ltd participating.
The idea is simple: a designated day to promote family bonding over a meal. Yet, the very existence of such an initiative raises concerns—shouldn’t dining with family be a natural part of life rather than an occasional privilege granted by employers?
A CDL employee shared how much they appreciate the 1.5-hour early release every quarter, as it allows them to reconnect with family. While these testimonials reflect gratitude, they also highlight a deeper issue: why is structured family time something that must be scheduled into a work calendar rather than an everyday norm?
Singaporeans work an average of 44 hours a week, exceeding many neighbouring countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, with only 11 public holidays annually, opportunities to disconnect from work remain scarce. A 2021 survey by Focus on the Family found that 70% of parents with young children feel too busy to enjoy quality time with them.
While EWYFD aims to foster family togetherness, it also underscores how difficult it is to achieve consistent work-life balance. The push for flexible work arrangements (FWAs) has seen progress, with 72.7% of companies offering some form of FWA in 2024. Yet, many firms are simultaneously calling employees back to full-time office work.
Meaningful change requires more than symbolic gestures like Family Days. Companies must embrace true flexibility, reduce excessive workloads, and respect employees’ personal time. Until that shift happens, initiatives like EWYFD will remain a temporary fix rather than a real solution to the deeper systemic issue.
