The New Singapore Employment Act – too much or too little?

Published

Mar 25 2019

Written By

I'm an employment and disputes lawyer heading up both practices at Bird & Bird Singapore. I solve people problems with business impact.

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International HR Services

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Singapore

Significant amendments to the Employment Act ("EA") will take effect from 1 April 2019. With the removal of the qualifying requirements around salary and job grade, every private sector employee in Singapore will be entitled to the rights and protections under the EA.

This has far-reaching implications on the approach and practice in relation to termination of employment. Broadly, it means that employees may bring a claim against employers if they consider that they have been dismissed without just cause or excuse (the shorthand of which is "unfair dismissal") or for constructive dismissal (i.e. forced resignations).

Despite the Legislature's positive intentions, these changes throw up a few problems in practice.

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