Singapore

Singapore

Capital: Singapore
Currency: - SGD
SGD

Overview of Singapore Employment Law and HR Policies

Employment Law Overview

  • Key Legislations:
    • Employment Act
    • Workmen's Compensation Act
    • Women's Charter
    • Central Provident Fund Act
  • Legal Characteristics:
    • Aims to protect employees' rights and welfare
    • Stipulates minimum wage, working hours, leave entitlements, and severance pay

Employment Contract Requirements

  • Contract Types:
    • Fixed-term contracts
    • Open-ended contracts
  • Contractual Terms:
    • Must include job description, salary, working hours, etc.
  • Language and Currency:
    • Contracts must be in English or Malay
    • Currency is Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Working Hours Regulations

  • Standard Working Hours:
    • 44 hours per week
  • Rest Days and Breaks:
    • At least one rest day per week
    • At least 30 minutes of rest time per day

Leave Policies

  • Annual Leave:
    • 7 days per year after 12 months of continuous service
    • Increases by 1 day per year after 1 year of service, up to 14 days per year after 8 years of continuous service
  • Public Holidays:
    • 10 statutory public holidays
  • Special Leave:
    • Sick Leave: 14 days of outpatient leave and 60 days of hospitalization leave per year after 6 months of continuous service
    • Maternity Leave: 16 weeks of paid maternity leave after 3 months of continuous service
    • Paternity Leave: Eligible fathers can take 2 weeks of paid paternity leave

Employee Termination and Severance

  • Notice Period:
    • Probationary period: 1 day
    • After probation: 1 week to 4 weeks, depending on years of service
  • Severance Pay:
    • 1 month's salary for every year of service after 2 years
  • Unfair Dismissal Protection:
    • Employees have the right to appeal against unfair dismissal

Taxation

  • Personal Income Tax:

    • Salary Range (SGD)Tax Rate
      0 - 20,0000%
      20,000 - 30,0002%
      30,000 - 40,0003.5%
      40,000 - 80,0007%
      80,000 - 120,00011.5%
      120,000 - 160,00015%
      160,000 - 200,00018%
      200,000 - 240,00019%
      240,000 - 280,00019.5%
      280,000 - 320,00020%
      Above 320,00022%
  • Social Security Contributions:

    • Both employers and employees contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF)
    • Employer contributes 17%, employee contributes 20%

Health Insurance

  • Insurance Policy:
    • All employees must be covered by MediShield Life basic health insurance
  • Coverage:
    • Major hospitalization and some outpatient expenses

Compensation and Benefits

  • Minimum Wage:
    • No statutory minimum wage
  • Salary Structure:
    • Basic salary, bonuses, allowances, etc.
  • 13th Month Salary:
    • Common practice, usually paid at the end of the year

Work Permits and Visas

  • Permit Requirements:
    • Foreign employees require a work permit or employment pass
  • Application Process:
    • Employer applies to the Ministry of Manpower on behalf of the employee

Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses

  • Enforceability:
    • Confidentiality and non-compete clauses are enforceable in Singapore
  • Common Provisions:
    • Restricting employees from working for competitors after leaving employment
    • Protecting employers' trade secrets

Training and Development

  • Legal Requirements:
    • Employers must provide safety training to employees
  • Government Support:
    • Government provides training grants and programs

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion

  • Legal Requirements:
    • Prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, etc.
  • Enforcement Measures:
    • Employers must have anti-discrimination policies and procedures in place

Remote Work Policies

  • Legal Framework:
    • Remote work is allowed, but employers must comply with the Employment Act
  • Tax and Insurance Implications:
    • Remote work may affect tax and social security contributions

Authoritative Website Addresses

1.Overview of Singapore Employment Law and HR Policies
1.1Employment Law Overview
1.2Employment Contract Requirements
1.3Working Hours Regulations
1.4Leave Policies
1.5Employee Termination and Severance
1.6Taxation
1.7Health Insurance
1.8Compensation and Benefits
1.9Work Permits and Visas
1.10Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses
1.11Training and Development
1.12Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
1.13Remote Work Policies
1.14Authoritative Website Addresses