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Pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting time for expectant mothers, but it can also be a difficult period of adjustment. For some, it could also be about updating their employers to discuss work accommodations in the next few months to come. To alleviate some of these worries, companies should implement policies that provide support for pregnant employees.

So how can you make your workplace more pregnancy-friendly? This blog will explore how organisations can provide these resources and other important benefits for pregnant workers.

Ways in which Companies can Support Soon-to-Be Parents at the Workplace

1. Flexi-work

While most mums-to-be may continue to work until within one month of giving birth, take into account how some may have to follow their doctor’s advice when it comes to ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Whether it’s going for more regular check-ups or following specific care instructions, every person is different in terms of their pregnancy needs. Understandably, they may also experience morning sickness at some point during the pregnancy term and need a break at times.

Especially as pregnant women can now register for the COVID vaccinations, it is all the more a crucial time for them to fully focus on their health. As an employer, be accommodating to any changes that may come up throughout the pregnancy term. Consider reducing their working hours and allowing for more flexible work arrangements if they sound out any concerns. This can also be an initiative worth extending to the rest of the company as part of your employee benefits policy.

2. Nutritious snacks

If your office has a pantry, consider including healthy pregnancy snacks so your employees won’t have to pack extra for themselves when coming to the office. Ensure they get the essential nutrients such as folic acid, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A through citrus fruits and juices, nuts and milk to name a few.

3. Maternity leave

Following the arrival of a newborn, this is an essential period for them to take good care of themselves post-delivery – especially if it was their first pregnancy. For Singapore citizens, it is mandatory for your company to give 16 weeks of maternity leave. With foreign employees, if they have worked for you for at least 3 continuous months, they are eligible for 12 weeks of maternity leave in accordance with the Employment Act. Additionally, all working dads, citizens, PRs, and foreigners are also eligible for two weeks of paid paternity leave.

While your employees are entitled to these government-paid maternity leave benefits, you can consider including more leave days in addition to their maternity and paternity leave. The extra time can come in handy to cater to the changing needs of new parents whenever required.

4. Ongoing support network

After returning to work, remember that this is still an important transition period for the new parents. For new mothers, they may need the time to breastfeed or pump for their child, for instance. Fathers, on the other hand, have to be available to step in to tend to the little one when their partner is occupied. During this time, you can allow your employees to continue working from home. Partner them up with someone so just in case they are unavailable, there is a colleague who is on standby to take on any immediate tasks at hand.

That way, your employees can continue to perform at the best of their abilities and in the event they are unable to at times, work efficiency will not be compromised. With the right support, it will not be long before they can get back up to full speed and deliver performance.

5. Manager training

Lastly, with all the above steps mentioned, it is important that managers know how to respond to a pregnancy from start to end. For instance, to adapt to the absence of an employee who is pregnant, managers will know that a pre-maternity meeting is required to make the appropriate arrangements with the rest of the team.

Moreover, make sure expectant employees are also covered with comprehensive maternity insurance. They may overlook this amidst the baby preparations. But with the rising costs of healthcare in Singapore, maternity insurance is something that cannot be done without for their health and financial needs. Moving forward, in the event of any complications during the pregnancy, they are well-protected to get through it, worry-free.

Show You Care with Expat Insurance

By taking the first few baby steps in creating a pregnancy-friendly workplace, your employees can feel comfortable and look forward to coming back to work. Your company also stands a better chance in retaining top talent and attracting potential employees. Find out you can provide the best support for your team at Expat Insurance today.

When we think about snacking, eating a whole bag of chips while binging on television shows or a doughnut during an all-nighter comes to mind. Snacking has long had the connotation of being an unhealthy habit and a lot of it has to do with our association to junk food and sweets. If you’re pursuing a diet, snacking is often one of the first things a diet aims to cut out. But, is it really necessary?

Many people snack before bedtime, in between meals, or in small amounts throughout the day. There are various reasons behind why someone chooses to snack or wants to, ranging from hunger to boredom.

Why do we feel the urge to snack?

The urge to snack boils down to a wide range of reasons. Let’s look at some of the common ones:

Stress: Unsurprisingly, this is one of the biggest triggers for people reaching out to fatty or sugary foods. Our bodies produce cortisol when we’re stressed, which leads to increased sugar in the blood. With souped-up hormone levels, our bodies are preparing for the fight or flight response that doesn’t get executed because it’s usually the case that we’re sitting behind a screen rushing deadlines. The lost fuel results in the desire for a snack. Excessive amounts of caffeine, sugar-heavy stimulants such as energy drinks and candy are culprits of stress-induced snacking.

TIP: Go for fruits or nuts if you’re craving something sweet and avoid the sugar high.

Comfort: Snacking is a convenient way of self-soothing. People comfort-eat for a number of reasons or in response to feelings like anxiety, sadness, and fear. Sensory-stimulating foods like a warm brownie and sweet ice-cream are both examples of popular snack items. Unfortunately, these are also high in fat and sugar.

TIP: Opt for whole grain foods and elevate your mood.

Self-reward: It’s never a bad idea to treat yourself. Digging into your favourite Ben & Jerry’s or munching on potato crisps are alright in small portions, spaced out.

TIP: Replace food with other activities or treats as rewards. Think spas, massages, or retail therapy. These are great ways to self-treat without compromising on your health.

Misconceptions around snacking

Understand and debunk these misconceptions so you can snack healthily and guilt-free.

1. Snacking is unhealthy

Snacking as an activity is not bad. The choice of snacks, however, is a whole different story. Doughnuts, candy, popcorn, cakes, and bakes are common snack items that our mind and stomach gravitate towards. You don’t have to give up snacking if that’s how you enjoy spending your Saturday afternoons with a movie. Pick items that are lower in fat and sugar content.

Switch your sugary snacks for natural sugars found in bananas, strawberries, and blackberries. Opt for nuts if you’re looking for crunchier snacks. You can also experiment making healthy versions of your favourite snacks. Try homemade popcorn instead of store-bought ones!

2. Snacking ruins your appetite

Snacking can be helpful when done in moderation. Going overboard with your snacks can make you feel fuller, which makes you much less hungrier during mealtimes – when you’re supposed to eat. Depending on your energy needs or activities for the day, moderate the number of calories you’re consuming when it’s snack time.

3. Snacking slows down your dieting wins

Contrary to popular opinion, properly managed snacking can, in fact, help diet plans. Restraining your hunger pangs in an unrealistic manner doesn’t help your dieting efforts. Having healthy snacks in between meals can support your diet plans by motivating you.

Complement your well-being with comprehensive GP insurance

Good health and well-being takes significant effort. One of the best ways to do that is through acquiring a comprehensive GP insurance that will keep your medical bills low. Supplement that with healthy eating habits and regular exercise for good health for the long-term.

Speak with our team of brokers to see how we can help you be ready.

Did you know on June 14th, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated? In fact, the first-ever World Blood Donor Day was held in 2004 with an aim of raising awareness for those who have donated their blood and educating others about the importance of donating blood. Every year on this day, individuals are encouraged to donate blood or join campaigns in order to provide life-saving donations for patients in need and it’s no different this 2021.

There are many reasons for donating blood including saving lives and helping people worldwide in need of transfusions. With that in mind, the importance of this life-changing act cannot be overstated. Continue reading on the benefits of blood donations, eligibility requirements and how often you can donate.

Donating blood – who and how does it help?

Blood donations play a crucial role in emergency situations as well as the many lives with medical conditions who rely on blood transfusions to keep their bodies healthy or while they are undergoing major surgeries. This includes conditions such as leukemia, thalassaemia or bleeding disorders.

Additionally, one unit of blood donated will be separated into three components and stored for specific use. This includes red blood cells, platelets and plasmas which will come in handy in many other treatments. Blood, however, has a short shelf life.

At -35 deg C, plasmas can be kept frozen for up to a year. On the other hand, red blood cells may be stored for six weeks at most while platelets can only last for just five days. Where blood is required on a daily basis, healthy blood is thus always in demand for current and future purposes.

Can I donate blood?

As an expat, if you are interested to take part and start donating, note that all blood donors must first have a Singaporean residential address which is valid for 3 months from the intended donation date. You will also need to provide a Singapore phone number in the event the medical staff wants to get in touch with you. Additionally, it is mandatory to check your eligibility as a blood donor.

According to the Singapore Red Cross, you will have to, for instance, generally be in good health and have a haemoglobin level of at least 12.5g/dL for females, and at least 13.0g/dL for males. When visiting a blood bank, the nurses at the donation site will administer a test to confirm that you can give blood.

With that being said, in order to become a donor, you must also:

be between the age of 16 and 60 years old (Youths aged 16 and 17 will need to come with a signed parental consent form)
weigh at least 45kg
not have any symptoms of infection (e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhoea) for at least one week
not have a fever in the last four weeks

More recently, the Health Sciences Authority states that blood banks now have a new blood donation eligibility for donors who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. During this period, you are required to provide information about your vaccination as an additional step in the donation pre-screening process. Moving forward, once you are given the go-ahead to give blood, you can start anticipating your first blood donation with many more contributions to come.

Don’t forget about yourself too

With that in mind, take note that you must wait 112 days in between donations to stay well after giving blood. As you start to make a difference in someone else’s life, don’t forget about taking care of your own health as well.

In the event of unexpected circumstances where you fall sick or get injured, you too will experience the true benefits of blood donation. More importantly, to ensure we remain accessible to high-quality medical facilities without worrying about hospital bills during such situations, it is highly encouraged to be well-insured early. That way, you will feel more assured that there is help at hand should you fall victim to critical illnesses or injuries.

Acquiring a comprehensive life insurance policy with a Critical Illness cover is a must to have the essential protection you need throughout your life here. Designed by expats for expats like yourself in mind, the services offered at Expat Insurance stand out because we work closely with over 26 insurers and have access to over 2000 products to ensure your health policy covers 36 critical illnesses that include major cancers, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery and more conditions.

Have questions about the different insurance policies? Contact our team today.

You’ve definitely heard of the importance of having a well-designed medical and hospital insurance plan. What about dental insurance? Needless to say, every part works in tandem to provide you with a healthy and functioning body. Let’s see how oral health is linked to your well-being and just how dental insurance can help you.

What is oral hygiene health?

Oral hygiene consists of a routine of cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue. Keeping to a regular rhythm of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash keeps your oral hygiene in the pink of health. Healthy gums and teeth also affect the freshness of your breath.

It’s commonly noted that oral hygiene is vital to an individual’s overall health. Why so?

Oral health should be treated with care just like physical health, which translates to visiting the dentist for preventive care twice a year as well. What many people look past is how closely related oral hygiene is to one’s overall well-being. Serving as the door to internal parts of your body, it is also often the first place you can detect other diseases. For instance, diabetes first manifests as gum disease (for some people).

4 reasons why oral health is extremely important

1. It will affect your overall health.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), multiple systemic diseases that affect the entire body, such as AIDS, Sjorgen’s Syndrome, and diabetes are first detected with oral issues as a signifier. Because we use our mouth and teeth daily to chew food, it contains a lot of bacteria build-up over time – even more so when you don’t brush before going to bed. This bacteria and inflammation can be linked to other health problems, like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and bacterial pneumonia. Periodontal, otherwise known as gum disease, is common in individuals with diabetes and heart disease. Periodontal disease can be pretty serious, damaging the soft tissue and eventually destroying the bone that supports your teeth. As a result, people with this condition can suffer tooth loss. The good news is, like most oral diseases, this is largely preventable with the right care. One way to do so is to go to your dentist regularly for examinations. And, here’s where having a good dental insurance plan can offset those bills and keep it affordable in the long run!

2. It helps slow down or prevent tooth loss.

Not many people often think about this until it’s too late, but your teeth play a significant role in your lives. More than 1 in 3 adults aged 65 years or older have lost 6 or more teeth. Many adults often lose their teeth gradually to gum disease and tooth decay. Your teeth are integral to helping you chew and digest food and speak clearly. Being able to chew food is central to our nutritional needs and physical well-being. Without good nutrition, we’d be on a liquid diet and that can drastically reduce the impact of a good life. Tooth loss is an inevitable part of aging but wherever possible, it’s best to delay it.

3. It allows for earlier detection of oral diseases.

Taking care of your oral health gives you insight early. By going for regular dental examinations, you can detect any potential problems early on. Early detection can be advantageous to your health in the long run, allowing you to begin treatments early and also reduce the costs of your medical bills drastically. Catching the issue late can cause treatment costs to skyrocket.

4. It can impact your self-esteem.

It’s obvious that having a nice set of pearly whites gives you a charming smile. And, consequently, a nice smile can impact your confidence and self-esteem as an individual, when speaking to others, and taking photographs. Because a nice smile can also influence customer-facing jobs such as receptionists, sales representatives, and media-related professions, it’s important to take care of your oral health.

What is dental insurance & how can it help me?

Dental medical bills can get pretty expensive, especially for major surgeries and treatments. However, a good dental insurance plan can help you tremendously in lowering the added costs of any treatments you’ll need later, regular whitening, and cleaning services. This should incentivise you to schedule your dental appointments without worrying about costs.

Speak to our team to see how we can help.

The Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we work and live. It has no doubt brought about new challenges to deal with and that includes our mental health. While mental health has been a hot topic of discussion in recent years, it is becoming a more prevalent issue as some struggle with the abrupt shift to the new normal – with more calls to helplines and existing patients expressing fresh worries about their health and the economic fallout.

Even with mandated WFH arrangements, it is becoming a key issue for managers to address, especially for employees experiencing stress that’s becoming harder to manage when working from home. This article will provide insight on how you can ensure your employees are well-supported wherever they’re at and why it is – more important than ever – to have a comprehensive employee benefits policy.

Wellness-focused office: Where are we at now?

Mental health can have a notable effect on the way people function at work and productivity suffers when morale is low. It’s hard not to wonder if it’s time for your corporation to start promoting a wellness-focused office environment such that employees’ well-being will not go unnoticed by employers and colleagues.

The good news is, it is easily achievable once you begin making your employee welfare a priority. For instance, you can:

Hold virtual staff meetings to check in on how your employees are doing physically and mentally.
Recognise achievements, both big and small, that can make anyone feel appreciated.
Tailor your employee benefits package to invest in the best interests of everyone.

In order to keep employees happy and healthy, businesses need to offer robust employee care packages that include more than commonly offered benefits such as paid time off and childcare leave.

Have the following 7 perks in your employee benefits package

Perk #1: Corporate health insurance

While a basic employee health insurance usually covers regular health screenings, paid sick leave and visits to selected clinics, a limited plan may not be sufficient to bear more expensive medical bills. In fact, the costs of treating a critical illness can amount to as high as $200,000 yearly in Singapore. For both locals and expats alike, having more comprehensive healthcare coverage can help any employee get back on track faster without having to worry about the medical expenses incurred.

From a cost perspective, it can also be more economical to invest in a group plan than having individual policies. Not only will you enjoy lower premium costs as the company grows, but your employees will also receive pro-rata return premiums in the case of resignation.

To learn more about the key considerations of buying group health insurance, click here.

Perk #2: Wellness program initiatives

To support your employees during unprecedented times such as this, consider enhancing your wellness-focused initiatives. Starting with accessible mental wellbeing support, this can be your company’s efforts to safeguard your employees’ mental health amid the continued uncertainty.

With that being said, beware of “phantom” mental health services when evaluating your choice of wellness programs. It can make a huge difference when you partner with a trusted health insurance broker to procure the best employee benefits package for your company. Once implemented, don’t forget to keep your team informed on the resources available to them when they need it most.

Perk #3: Performance bonus

Employers may also offer a one-time performance bonus at the end of the month or year as a way to celebrate achievements as mentioned above. These additional financial rewards can come in handy as morale boosters when they are most needed as your employees continue working from home.

Perk #4: Coverage for disabilities

This means continuing to provide an income should an employee be unable to work for an extended period due to disabilities. You can tailor your group personal accident insurance plan accordingly to cater to the specific needs of your employees. Policies can also be extended to include an employee’s immediate family members who are traditionally uninsured or under-insured.

Perk #5: Flexible working hours

With family in mind, probably one of the hardest challenges of working from home is having to manage kids that need around-the-clock attention. While every working parent of children who are Singapore citizens are eligible for 6 days of childcare leave, employers need to embrace the fact that employees require more support and flexibility in the new normal. With the ability to create a work schedule that works for them, your employees can then manage their time more effectively while still delivering results.

Perk #6: Remote work arrangements

As Covid-19 has forever changed the nature of work as we know it, it’s never too early to redesign company processes and prepare for the post-pandemic workplace. That includes retaining the hybrid way of working to give employees the freedom to choose where they want to work. Minus the time spent on daily commute, remote work arrangements are now an attractive option to many who have become accustomed to being productive at home. To attract a wider talent pool, this will soon be a must-have perk provided in many employee benefits packages.

Perk #7: Healthier Pantry Options

Finally, as and when your employees return to the office, don’t forget to have your office pantry well-stocked with nutritious snacks like protein bars, yogurt, fresh fruits and nuts. It speaks volumes when your company goes the extra mile to offer healthy food options as an added incentive to eat well at work. So when the hunger pangs strike, your employees won’t have to look far as these wholesome goodies are already within reach to give them the energy they need to get through the day.

Review your employee benefits package with us

Ultimately, a good employee benefits policy can sweeten the deal for prospective employees and help retain your current staff. Most importantly, you are taking a crucial step to achieve a wellness-focused work environment – ensuring a physically and mentally healthy workforce in the long run.

There are many types of benefits you could offer, but not all of them will be appropriate for every business. To find out what would work best for your company, explore the most desirable employee benefits alongside quality health insurance protection with Expat Insurance today.

What is the recent news on the COVID-19 spike?

With over 170 million confirmed cases and 3.5 million deaths across nearly 200 countries, the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread and develop several variants around the world. Having started in late 2019, we have seen phases of spikes and regression, followed by periodic improvements. Most recently, there has been an uptick in cases occurring in India and it has since spread to Malaysia, Australia, and even Singapore. With approximately 210 cases in Singapore just this May 2021, concerns over safety are growing day by day.

In response to this development, the Singapore government has increased restrictions on group numbers and the type of allowed activities to better mitigate the spread of cases in the community. Residents in Singapore are understandably concerned over a new wave of infections starting here again after a year’s work of progress in controlling the spread of the virus. However, there is a lot you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

3 ways you can stay safe and healthy during this period

It’s vital that you take every precaution possible, whether cases increase or not. Sure, some of these restrictions may put a damper on our social lives and relationships but, it’s necessary to prioritise safety and well-being – not just for yourselves but for the good of the community.

1. Taking precautions with health insurance policies for expats

Reviewing and ensuring your expat health care insurance is up to date should be your topmost priority. Given that developments like testing and treatment are still expanding across the globe, this is a good time to check what’s covered and what isn’t.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Health will bear the costs of a swab test if you’ve visited a GP clinic due to feeling unwell. If you’ve come into contact with a COVID-19 infected individual, like the Royal Caribbean Cruise, the costs incurred will also be covered since it is a situation that is out of your control. Fortunately for Singaporean residents, PRs, and long-term pass holders, the government is absorbing the hospital bills of COVID-19 patients.

That said, having good healthcare coverage will give expats wider access to the medical services they might need, whether it’s to do with COVID-19 or not, during this period. This keeps you and your family protected during periods of stress and uncertainty.

Plus, getting insured early is always recommended for a number of reasons: it keeps premiums low and protects you from skyrocketing medical bills due to unforeseen circumstances.

2. Practising good hygiene

It goes without saying that everyone should practise good hygiene habits, regardless of whether there’s a pandemic. Although the future looks a tad bit brighter than when the pandemic first started, it’s absolutely essential that you follow the guidelines and rules set in place.

Wear a mask, follow social distancing rules, and wash or sanitise your hands regularly. Try to avoid touching your face, especially the eyes and nose, when you’re out in public and have been in contact with foreign surfaces. Religiously checking in with your TraceTogether app or token will go a long way in helping contact tracing efforts, which can help government bodies contain the circles of spread for this virus. Wherever possible, try to avoid densely-populated areas during this period and only go out when necessary.

3. Prioritising your mental health

The extended periods of isolation can have a negative impact on your mental well-being. When the focus on physical well-being is intensified, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of mental health. However, your overall well-being very much depends on both physical and mental health.

Some ways you can keep healthy include going on regular walks around the neighbourhood, exercising, starting or revisiting hobbies (think painting, sewing, or reading), and working on self-improvement. There are a myriad of ways you can stay occupied while indoors, with podcasts, audiobooks, shows, and classes made available online. You can also schedule virtual chats with your friends and check in on them regularly.

Staying strong during the pandemic!

Navigating this pandemic is a shared social responsibility. Keeping your medical insurance updated, abiding by safety guidelines, and taking care of your health is vital to beating this virus. But, it is only one part of the equation. By working together, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and hopefully, return to doing the things we love.

Have questions about health insurance policies? Contact our team today.