Start with the correct agreement

An employment contract (contract of service) defines an employer–employee relationship. It is different from a contract for services with an independent contractor. Labels such as “freelancer” or “consultant” do not by themselves decide employment status. Use the right agreement for the actual working relationship.

When written key employment terms are required

Under Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidance, employers must issue written Key Employment Terms (KETs) within 14 days after employment starts to employees covered by the Employment Act who are employed under a contract of service for at least 14 days. Terms may be in a written contract and, for common policies, appropriate handbook or intranet materials.

1. Parties and start date

State the full legal names of employer and employee, start date, and whether the appointment is permanent or fixed-term. For fixed-term roles, identify the duration.

2. Job title and duties

Define the position, principal responsibilities and reporting arrangements. Avoid descriptions so vague that expectations become unclear.

3. Place of work and remote arrangements

Identify the expected work location and any hybrid or remote-work arrangements, including cross-border work where relevant. Place of work is an optional KET but MOM strongly encourages its inclusion when different from the employer address.

4. Working days, hours and rest day

Specify normal working hours, days per week, shift arrangements where applicable, and rest day. Statutory hours, breaks and overtime protections depend on employee category and Employment Act coverage.

5. Salary and pay arrangements

Set out basic salary, salary period, fixed allowances, fixed deductions and relevant bonuses or incentives. Include overtime period and rate where applicable. Do not assume all employees are eligible for statutory overtime. CPF obligations depend on citizenship/residency and the applicable CPF rules; foreign work-pass holders are generally treated differently.

6. Public holidays and rest-day work

Explain public holiday arrangements and any entitlement to pay or time off under applicable law. Rest-day work compensation is governed by specific rules for eligible employees; it should not be reduced to a blanket promise of “off in lieu.”

7. Annual, sick and family-related leave

Set out annual leave, outpatient and hospitalisation sick leave, and relevant maternity, paternity or childcare leave. Minimum statutory entitlements and eligibility conditions vary. Company policies may be more generous.

8. Medical and other benefits

Explain insurance, medical and dental benefits, where offered, and whether any eligibility or waiting period applies. Statutory medical benefits must still be respected.

9. Probation and notice of termination

Specify probation, notice periods and relevant termination procedures. Contractual notice terms must comply with applicable law, including equal notice periods for employer and employee where required. Avoid implying that one-day notice is automatically lawful for every short-term role.

10. Confidentiality, IP and other protections

Where relevant, include proportionate confidentiality, intellectual-property, personal-data and conflict-of-interest provisions. Restrictive covenants require careful drafting and may not be enforceable merely because they appear in a template.

Download a sample and tailor it

MOM publishes KET templates and a verification tool. These are a good starting point, but an employment contract should be tailored to the role, employment status and applicable law. Singbac can assist with customised employment and commercial agreements.

Official sources for editorial verification

• MOM – KETs list and templates: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/contract-of-service/key-employment-terms
• MOM – contract of service and 14-day rule: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/contract-of-service/what-is-a-contract-of-service
• MOM – KETs verification: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/contract-of-service/kets-verification-tool