by Jamie Ee Wen Wei

A decade ago, newly minted doctors knew they had to put in long hours, no questions asked.

Dr Asok Kurup, recalling his trainee stint in public hospitals, said: 'In those days, you just kept working and working. Nobody told me I could take a day off.'

The 40-year-old is now a senior consultant at Singapore General Hospital's (SGH) Department of Infectious Diseases.

The hospital topped the honours at this year's Singapore HR Awards for its efforts in promoting work-life balance in the workplace.

It clinched nine awards, beating 34 other organisations in the running.

Dr Kurup, a father of three boys, can see radical changes in the hospital's working culture.

For one thing, days off on weekends are no longer just 'privileges'. In June 2005, the hospital began a five-day work week for its staff.

Doctors on shift duty get an extra half a day off on weekdays to make up for weekend work.

Ms Anna Fok, the hospital's HR director, dismisses fears that these measures are costly and anti-productivity. In fact, they do not cost much, she said.

SGH's five-strong Work-Life unit was set up six years ago.

Using the unit's resources, hospital staff often volunteer to organise day trips and courses for colleagues and their families, Ms Fok said.

Apart from an on-site childcare centre, other services that SGH provides include health-care benefits for family members and parenting talks.

Workwise, meetings are often scheduled on weekdays. Each department is empowered to design its own work schedules to meet staff's personal needs without compromising the 24/7 operational demands of the hospital.

Ms Fok said SGH's family-friendly culture has led to its turnover rate dropping below 10 per cent, lower than the national and industry average.

For Dr Kurup, it has meant more time to spend with his family. He now gets home by 7.30pm, instead of 8pm or even later.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on July 20, 2008.