contract employment

Emphasis on Getting Employment Terms and Payslips Documented!

Get the year started with everything in place, especially matters related to Human Resources which are things that can and may be easily neglected. Have you come across arguments and disagreement rising because it was not written on papers, and you have your employees coming to you with another set of information? It is, then again, words against words – which we commonly said there is no “black and white”.

Avoid such arguments and disagreement as this will create an unhappiness environment and distrusting employees. Never get yourself caught in between legality issues and later having to pay a higher price.

So, what exactly is needed in an employment contract so that it not only safe guard the employees but yourself as employers too?

1.    Name of employer
2.    Name of employee
3.    Job title and main duties and responsibilities
4.    Date of commencing employment
5.    Duration of employment (Only for employees on fixed-term contract)
6.    Daily working hours, number of working days per week and rest day(s)
7.    Salary period
8.    Basic salary per salary period
9.    Fixed allowances per salary period
10.    Fixed deductions per salary period
11.    Overtime payment period
12.    Overtime rate of pay
13.    Other salary-related components (e.g. bonuses, incentives)
14.    Statutory Leave entitlements (e.g. annual leave, outpatient sick leave)
15.    Other medical benefits (e.g. insurance, medical, dental benefits)
16.    Probation period
17.    Notice period for termination of employment initiated by either party

How about the details that are required in a payslip?
1.    Full name of employer.
2.    Full name of employee.
3.    Date of payment (or dates, if the pay slips consolidates multiple payments).
4.    Basic salary
       For hourly, daily or piece-rated workers, indicate all the following:
                  •    Basic rate of pay, e.g. $X per hour. 
                  •    Total number of hours or days worked or pieces produced
5.    Start and end date of salary period
6.    Allowances paid for salary period, such as:
                  •    All fixed allowances, e.g. transport.
                  •    All ad-hoc allowances, e.g. one-off uniform allowance.
7.    Any other additional payment for each salary period, such as: Bonuses, Rest day pay, Public holiday pay
8.    Deductions made for each salary period, such as: All fixed deductions (e.g. employee’s CPF contribution), All ad-hoc deductions (e.g. deductions for no-pay leave, absence from work).
9.    Overtime hours worked.
10.   Overtime pay
11.    Start and end date of overtime payment period (if different from item 5 start and end date of salary period).
12.    Net salary paid in total.

Start 2017 by getting the above 2 components correct!
You may also download a sample of the Payslip from MOM website: Click here
You may also download a sample of the Key Employment Terms from MOM website Click here

Closing Contract Work Loopholes

Based on the Manpower Ministry’s 2015 Labour Force Report, contract workers form 11.3% of the resident workforce. With this alarming statistics, it is no surprise that new guidelines have been implemented on 20 June 2016. This aims to protect the interest of contract workers, to ensure a more equitable entitlement, especially since term contract employees are as valuable as permanent employees. 

The guidelines were established to provide clarity on leave benefits and notice period for term contract employees, whose contract will terminate upon the agreed last day of service, subject to renewal. 

Previously, term contract employees who have served more than 3 months continuously in their employment with their employers are entitled to benefits. However, employees who are on separate term contract shorter than 3 months of service, but are constantly renewed with a break in between the contract, will not be entitled to this benefits. 

It is now encouraged for employers to provide benefits based on the cumulative term of the contract. Recurrent contract renewals will be treated as continuous if they are renewed within a month of the previous contract. Term contract employees who usually have their contracts renewed on a recurrent basis should also be given sufficient notice, where it is defined as more than one day if the employee has been working for less than 26 weeks. This allows either party to make necessary arrangements. 

 

Reference: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/guidelines-released-on/2887122.html