Parenthood Status and Fair Hiring in Singapore

Abstract

Women in Singapore are concerned about career disadvantages when they become parents. Internationally, extensive academic research has examined the “motherhood penalty”, where mothers earn less than child-free women and are less likely to be hired. Conversely, fathers experience a “fatherhood premium”, and experience more favourable work outcomes than men without children. This study aims to examine parenthood penalties in the Singapore workplace, and how they may shape employment decisions such as hiring and the granting of flexible work arrangement (FWA) requests.