From software engineer to taxi driver: How flexible work helps a Singapore father care for his son

• Ricky Low changed careers to put family first. After 14 years as a software engineer, he took a substantial pay cut to drive a taxi, gaining the flexibility to care for his ill wife and mother, and his son with autism.
  
  
• ComfortDelGro, a partner of NTUC Women and Family’s C U Back at work (CUB) programme, provides Ricky greater stability, with basic pay, CPF contributions, and medical and annual leave.
  
  
• He can provide for his son while being present in his daily life. Following the loss of his wife and mother, Ricky continues to organise his driving around school pickups, shared lunches and Saturdays with his son.

When his wife and mother fell ill, Ricky Low, 49, needed a job that would let him provide for his family while being there for them whenever he needed to.

His wife was living with mitochondrial disease, which is a genetic condition where the body’s cells cannot produce enough energy.

His mother’s health was deteriorating.

His young son, who has autism, also needed his care and attention.

After 14 years as a software engineer, Ricky left his job in May 2024 to take better care of his family.

He had tried flexible work arrangements at his old job to take care of his family, but he said the hours were long.

He added: "On many days, I had to work till 3am—4am. I was tired and I somehow also felt I needed to be around them more.”

The job change from software engineer to taxi driver gave him both a vehicle to take his loved ones to medical appointments and the flexibility to return home when they needed him.

“I have the car to bring them around. I have the flexibility. I can come back at a moment’s notice,” Ricky explained.

His decision to change jobs, however, also led to a substantial pay cut.

Ricky estimated that he had earned about three times as much as a software engineer. But the income difference did not change his priorities.

“It was quite an adjustment having such a huge pay cut. But I could be there for my family physically. It's just about finding the right balance between work and family, but family comes first,” he said.

Changing careers to care for his family

On Ricky’s last day at his software engineering job in 2024, his mother, who already had an erratic heartbeat and deteriorating health, suffered a blood clot that cut off circulation to one of her legs.

Doctors had to amputate the leg to save her life.

He had initially intended to drive a taxi temporarily while exploring jobs in another industry. But his mother’s growing care needs prompted him to reconsider.

Ricky was living with her at the time and took on much of her care.

Having a taxi meant he could take her to medical checkups while continuing to work.

“It made more sense for me to drive a taxi,” he recalled.

His wife also needed help with everyday activities.

She experienced hand tremors and mobility difficulties. Even holding a spoon or fork to eat had become difficult.

Ricky’s mother passed away in July 2024, aged 83. In May this year, he lost his wife, who was 47.

Today, his son remains the centre of his life.

The 10-year-old attends a special education school and needs support with communication and interpersonal skills.

Although Ricky’s family circumstances have changed, his need to earn a living while being present for his son has not.

Full-time ComfortDelGro taxi driver Ricky Low (left) fetches his son from school every day.

Stability through a full-time taxi driving role

Ricky initially worked with ComfortDelGro as a hirer, renting a taxi rather than being employed full-time as a driver.

A year later, he switched to a full-time employment arrangement.

He now drives under ComfortDelGro's driver-employee scheme, which is also a partner of NTUC Women and Family’s C U Back at work (CUB) programme.

The arrangement offered something Ricky valued alongside flexibility: greater income stability.

“I get basic pay, CPF contributions, and benefits such as medical and annual leave,” he said.

For him, the decision was not about earning more.

While his income as a hirer could be higher in some months, he valued being able to take medical leave when he was unwell.

He recalled when he first started driving as a hirer two years ago. Barely a week into his new job, he fell sick with dengue.

He was hospitalised for a week.

But because Ricky was a hirer, he still had to pay the taxi’s daily rental, even though he wasn’t earning any money.

Under his current arrangement as a full-time employee, Ricky works Monday to Thursday.

From Friday to Sunday, he rents the taxi at a subsidised rate, allowing him to organise additional driving around his family commitments.

The CUB programme works with employer partners on flexible working arrangements to help caregivers return to work.

Since its launch in 2023, the programme has grown to include six employers: Chye Thiam Maintenance, SMRT, SBS Transit, Strides, ComfortDelGro and CHAGEE.

For Ricky, employment with a CUB partner means he can continue working without giving up the daily routines he shares with his son.

Flexibility to juggle work and family

Although Ricky has changed professions, he said the planning skills he developed as a software engineer still serve him well.

He describes himself as a “man with a plan”.

He mostly takes bookings, estimates how long each journey will take, and leaves enough time to reach his next passenger.

That planning extends beyond his passengers.

Ricky may start his first booking at 4am, but he plans his day around picking up his son from school, having lunch at home, and resting before hitting the road again.

“Monday to Friday, I pick him up from school. Then we go home and have lunch together,” he said. 

His helper usually takes his son to school from Monday to Thursday.

On Fridays, Ricky drives him there himself.

Saturdays are generally set aside for time together, including grocery shopping and swimming.

“Usually, on Saturdays, I leave the whole day to accompany my son,” he said.

These everyday moments are what Ricky’s career change has helped him protect.

When asked how his life and career journey have been, he said: “With the right support, I don’t have to choose between providing for my family and being present for them.”

Click here for more information on the C U Back at Work (CUB) programme.