Here’s Your Free Sample Singapore Employment Contract (2024) - 10 Things to Note

You’ve spotted someone in Singapore, or perhaps a consultant from afar, who seems like a perfect match to tackle your company’s tasks.

The next step? Drafting an employment contract to kickstart this professional relationship. But what makes a contract solid and fair?

For a smooth start for you and your new team member, an accessible ’employment contract sample Singapore’ is available for download here.

Should you require a customized and comprehensive agreement, our service is available to meet your specific needs.

Let’s dive into the essentials of an employment contract, highlighting what matters for everyone, from part-timers and remote workers to those in full-time roles.

Employment contract sample: Aligning with the Employment Act in Singapore

The Employment Act in Singapore lays the groundwork for fair work practices. But the details in your contract ensure it’s tailored just right to fit your specific job situation.

Here is the format that should be part of any sample employment contract.

1.    Date of appointment in your employment contract

The official start date of the working relationship.

2.    Place of work: Specifying locations in your contract sample

Define the work location in your contract, whether a specific office in Singapore or a remote arrangement.

Drawing from insights like Slack’s State of Work 2023 report, you might want to offer flexible schedules and location options, highly valued for boosting productivity.

Over half (54%) of workers see flexible schedules as a plus, with many also appreciating location flexibility (43%).

3.    Job title clarity in employment agreements 

Assign a clear designation, such as “freelance translator” or “freelance interpreter,” indicating the role involves translating written documents or providing real-time language interpretation.

4.    Compensation details in your Singapore contract template

As you outline the total wage package in your employment contract, start with the basic salary.

Remember to add CPF contributions, mandatory for Singapore team members per Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidelines.

Also, include allowances and any overtime pay. This approach ensures your package aligns with Singapore’s employment standards.

5.    Working days/hours

Set clear working days and hours, keeping in line with MOM’s guidelines or adjusting them for your team’s well-being.

If you’re collaborating with overseas consultants, remember to factor in time differences for seamless cooperation.

6.    Rest days

When drafting rest days in the employment letter, specify them.

If you need an employee to work on their rest day, you can offer an off-in-lieu or extra salary, in line with MOM practices, to show you value their time and effort.

7.    Public holidays

For public holidays, you’ll usually follow Singapore’s annual calendar.

However, if you have workers from different countries, you might let them take off on important days from their own cultures, like giving an American employee a day off for Thanksgiving.

8.    Leave entitlements

In drafting your employment letter or contract, remember to spell out the leave entitlements for your team.

Include annual leave for those essential breaks everyone looks forward to, sick leave for the days when health takes priority, and maternity or paternity leave to cherish the arrival of new family members.

Also, don’t overlook childcare leave, a gesture that shows you value your team for their roles as parents.

9.    Termination terms in your Singapore employment contract

Define the terms where either party can terminate the agreement based on the work assignments or the responsibility of the designation.

For example, you might only need a notice period of 1 day for short-term projects, one week for mid-duration tasks, or one month for long-term commitments.

10.    Employment benefits

When preparing your contract, think of benefits that motivate everyone, including freelancers and part-timers.

For example, you could include a clause offering the chance of a permanent role based on the quality of their service.

Essential considerations beyond the employment contract

Consequence of non-compliance

If your contract doesn’t meet Employment Act standards, you could face disputes, fines, and harm to your reputation.

Always double-check your contract against the Act to safeguard your business and your employee relationship.

Importance of clarity in important terms

In Singapore, you must give your new team members a record of their key employment terms (KETs) within 14 days of starting.

Everyone needs to know their rights, roles, and what’s expected of them right from the start.

Handling contract breaches

Have clear steps and consequences for breaches laid out in your agreement.

This way, you’re ready to handle any issues and can also prevent disputes, making sure employees understand the consequences from the start.

Affordable employment contract sample Singapore for busy directors

Wrapping things up, if you’re a busy director at a small setup, navigating the complexities of drafting employment contracts might not be where you want to spend your time.

That’s where Singbac steps in. We specialize in crafting contracts for full-time, part-time, and freelance positions in line with Singapore’s legal standards.

Need something more tailored? We can customize template agreements for partnering with your local distributors or collaborators.

Think of us as your go-to agency for all things contract-related, from the standard clauses to the final doc. Let us handle the drafting so you can focus on what you do best.