This post was originally published as a press release on 25 September 2019.

To provide more comprehensive support to individuals facing harassment and discrimination at work, gender-equality organisation AWARE has today launched a new Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (WHDA) service.

WHDA offers both practical advice and emotional support to any person aged 18 and up working in Singapore, of any nationality, at any stage of their distress. Individuals calling the WHDA helpline (6777 0318, Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) will make an appointment with a specialised advisor, who will walk them through various recourse options, internal or external—including approaching their company’s HR or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), or filing a mediation request with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM). Counselling or pro-bono legal advice may also be scheduled, depending on the needs of the client.

The WHDA service is open to both union and non-union members. It is free to use, though some features that clients can opt for—like counselling—carry a low (means-tested) fee.

As with all of AWARE’s services, WHDA is primarily aimed at women. However, men experiencing gender-based discrimination and harassment (such as being denied the use of flexible work arrangements because caregiving is “not a man’s job”) can use the service as well. Types of discrimination faced by female WHDA clients may include gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, nationality, family responsibilities and maternity; types of harassment may include workplace bullying and workplace sexual harassment, physical and otherwise.

Through its long-running Women’s Helpline, as well as its workplace training arm Catalyse Consulting, AWARE has worked to address unfair treatment and misconduct in workplaces for close to three decades. In 2018, the organisation received a total of 265 calls relating to discrimination and/or harassment at work.

“This is a natural extension of our long-time efforts in this arena, and complements our existing Women’s Care Centre and Sexual Assault Care Centre suite of services,” said Ms Shailey Hingorani, AWARE’s Head of Research and Advocacy. “In our experience, many employees are not aware of the full range of actions available to them in situations of discrimination or harassment. Some fear being identified or labelled as troublemakers. Some are averse to escalating a situation; they simply wish the mistreatment to stop, so they can continue working.”

Currently, there is no other service in Singapore providing confidential, bespoke, holistic support for workplace harassment and discrimination.

“You don’t have to wait to have been terminated to call WHDA,” noted Ms Hingorani. “You don’t even have to be certain that what you’re facing is discrimination or harassment. WHDA will help you make sense of your situation.”

For more information about AWARE’s Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory, click here.