A Guide to Part-Time Employment in Singapore: Flexibility with Benefits
Part-time employment has been an increasingly popular option in Singapore, allowing for more flexibility while balancing other commitments. The perks don’t stop there! In fact, did you know part-timers are entitled to benefits like paid public holidays, annual leave, and more? Let’s dive into this month’s article to uncover key regulations and entitlements for part-time work in Singapore
What Is Considered Part-Time Work in Singapore?
According to the Employment Act, a part-time employee is one who is contracted to work less than 35 hours a week. Despite their shorter hours, part-time employees are protected by the same labour laws as full-time employees.
What Should Be in Your Part-Time Contract?
A Contract of Service should contain the following key specifications:
- Hourly rate of pay (with and without allowances)
- Number of working hours and days
- Pro-rated benefits and entitlements
Entitlements For Part-Time Employees
Now for the most exciting part, what are part-timers entitled to, and how do they work?
- Leave entitlements
Although not commonly known, part-timers under Employment Act are qualified for paid annual leave, sick leave, and hospitalisation leave. If conditions are met, there may also be paid maternity, paternity, shared parental, childcare and adoption leave.
How to calculate Annual Leave (AL):
(Part-time working hours per year / Full-time working hours per year) x AL days for Full-time with equal length of service x Working hours in a day for Full-time
Example
Part-time: 20 hours /week
Full-time: 40 hours /week (8 hours /day)
Full-time AL: 14 days /year
((20×52) / (40×52)) x 14 x 8 = Part-timer is entitled to 56 hours of AL per year
Similarly, sick leave and hospitalisation leave are pro-rated in the same way and granted in hours instead of days.
- Overtime Pay
Part-timers qualify for Overtime (OT) pay when they exceed their contractual working hours. How much you get paid depends on how your hours stack up against those of a full-timer in a similar role.
How it works:
More than contracted hours but less than Full-time hours: Regular hourly basic rate
Exceeding Full-time hours: 1.5x the hourly rate
- Paid Public Holidays
Part-timers are entitled to paid public holidays (PH), where payment for the day is pro-rated based on the number of hours you work.
How to calculate paid public holidays:
(Part-time working hours per year / Full-time working hours per year) x PH days for a Full-timer with equal length of service x Working hours in a day for Full-timer
Example
Part-time: 20 hours /week
Full-time: 40 hours week (8 hours /day)
1 year: 52 weeks
PH: 11 days /year
((20×52) / (40×52)) x 11 x 8 = 44 hours of pay for 11 public holidays
44 hours / 11 = Part-timer is entitled to 4 hours of pay per public holiday
- Rest Days
Are you a Part-timer covered under the Part 4 of the Employment Act? If so, this section is for you.
If the part-timer is required to work at least 5 days a week, they are entitled to 1 rest day per week. The rest day will be determined by the employer beforehand.
However, if a part-timer is required to work on a rest day, their pay will depend on:
Employers’ request:
Up to half their regular work hours: 1 day’s salary at basic hourly rate
More than half their regular work hours: 2 day’s salary at basic hourly rate
More than their regular work hours, up to FT work hours: 2 day’s salary + basic hourly rate
More than FT work hours: 2 day’s salary + basic hourly rate + 1.5x basic hourly rate
Employee’s request:
Up to half their regular work hours: 0.5 day’s salary at basic hourly rate
More than half their regular work hours: 1 day’s salary at basic hourly rate
More than their regular work hours, up to FT work hours: 1 day’s salary + basic hourly rate
More than FT work hours: 1 day’s salary + basic hourly rate + 1.5x basic hourly rate
- CPF contributions
Just like full-timers, part-timers are entitled to CPF contributions from their employers.
CPF contributions are payable if the Part-timer is:
- Singapore Citizen/ Permanent Resident
- Earning more than $50 /month
- Engaged under a contract of service (employer-employee relationship)
Flexibility Without Compromising Rights
Part-time employment in Singapore offers a perfect balance between flexible working arrangements and safeguarding employee rights. Whether you are balancing family responsibilities, furthering your education, or pursuing personal passions, Part-time work provides the adaptability you need without sacrificing benefits or security.
We hope this guide has shed some light on your rights as a Part-time employee and inspires confidence in exploring this flexible career option. For any enquiries on employment contract disputes or drafting, engage our seasoned professionals for legal assistance.
This article was written by
Timothy Wu
Director, LP Law Corporation
Questions? We’re here to help
Estate Matters and Distribution of Assets — Part 4
Welcome back to the last installment of our four-part series!
In this section, we will share more about applying for the Resealing of a Foreign Grant, helping you understand what it is and how it works.
In Singapore, Foreign Grants issued by Commonwealth Countries and Hong Kong may be resealed by the Family Division of the High Court.
Essentially, this means that the Foreign Grant is recognised and given legal recognition by the Singapore Courts.
Upon resealing, the powers provided for in the Foreign Grant may be carried out in Singapore, with no alteration to its terms, as if it were a grant issued in Singapore.
Documents Required for the Application
When applying for a resealing of foreign grant, it is important to note that only Foreign Grants of Probate / Letters of Administration issued by Commonwealth Countries and/or Hong Kong are eligible for the resealing process.
For other countries, a fresh Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration application is required.
The Executors / administrators must file several documents through the Singapore Court’s eLitigation system:
- Originating Summons
- Statement
- Court Certified True Copy of Will or Original Will
- Original Death Certificate or Electronically verifiable Death Certificate
- Schedule of Assets
- Supporting Affidavit
- Administration Oath
- Administration Bond (if directed)
- Summons for Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
- Consent of Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
- Affidavit of Foreign Law (if directed)
Timeframe for Obtaining the Resealed Foreign Grant
The process typically takes at least 3 months from the time of application. However, this timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the completeness of submitted documents.
On approval, the Singapore Courts will issue a Memorandum of Resealing and Notice of Resealing of Grant.
Why the Resealing Process is Important
The Resealing process ensures that the executor / administrator can legally manage the estate as approved in accordance with the Foreign Grant. Without it, financial institutions and other asset holders will not release the deceased’s assets. Additionally, the Resealed Grant of Foreign Probate serves to protect the executor and/or administrator from future legal challenges concerning the administration of the estate.
Distribution of Assets
Distribution of assets depends on whether the original foreign grant was a grant of probate or a letters of administration process:
- If the process was a grant of probate process, assets are distributed in accordance with the Will
- If the process was a letters of administration process, assets are distributed in accordance with the laws of the country of domicile. An affidavit of foreign law may be required to determine the distribution requirements.
Common Challenges in the Resealing of Foreign Grant Process
Executors / Administrators may face challenges, such as when there are:
- Missing documents which are foreign documents.
- Translation of foreign language documents to English.
- Production of an original or certified document requested by the Probate Registry
- Disputes among beneficiaries about the distribution of assets.
- The need for an administration bond or sureties when required by the court, which can delay the process if not promptly addressed.
- Providing an Affidavit of Foreign Law.
Obtaining a Resealed Foreign Grant of Probate is a crucial step in managing a deceased person’s assets. Though it may seem daunting, having the right information and documentation can streamline the process.
Our experienced legal professionals regularly handle resealing applications and are here to guide you through every step and concern. Reach out to us if you are involved in the process or need more information on how to navigate it.
This article was written by
Timothy Wu
Director, LP Law Corporation
Questions? We’re here to help
Estate Matters and Distribution of Assets — Part 3
Welcome back to the third installment of our four-part series!
In this section, we will share more about applying for Letters of Administration, helping you understand what it is and how it works.
In Singapore, when someone passes on and does not have a will, the next-of-kin may apply for a Letters of Administration from the Singapore courts in accordance with Section 18 of the Probate and Administration Act. This legal document gives the administrator the authority to manage the deceased’s estate, pay off any debts, and distribute the assets as outlined under the Intestate Succession Act 1967.
Which Court Handles the Application?
The application process depends on the value of the deceased’s estate:
- Estates valued up to SGD 5 million are heard by the Family Courts.
- Estates valued over SGD 5 million are heard by the Family Division of the High Court.
Documents Required for the Application
Prior to applying for a Letters of Administration, renunciations must be obtained from all beneficiaries with prior rights. The Intestate Succession Act 1967 specifies seven classes of people who are eligible to apply for this grant, in declining order of priority:
- Spouse;
- Children;
- Parents;
- Siblings;
- Nephews and nieces;
- Grandparents; and
- Aunts and uncles
For example, if a Parent is to apply for a Letters of Administration, renunciations must be obtained from the surviving spouse and children.
Once the renunciation(s) are obtained the applicant / administrator must file several documents through the Singapore Court’s eLitigation system:
- Originating Summons
- Statement
- Renunciations of Beneficiaries with Prior Rights (if necessary)
- Death Certificate
- Schedule of Assets
- Supporting Affidavit
- Administration Oath
- Administration Bond (if directed)
- Summons for Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
- Consent of Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
Timeframe for Obtaining the Letters of Administration
The process typically takes about 3 months from the time of application. However, this timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the completeness of submitted documents.
Why the Letters of Administration is Important
The Letters of Administration ensures that the administrator can legally manage the estate according to the will. Without it, financial institutions and other asset holders will not release the deceased’s assets, and the estate cannot be distributed as directed under the Intestate Succession Act 1967. Additionally, a Letters of Administration protects the administrator from future legal challenges concerning the administration of the estate.
Distribution of Assets
Once the Letters of Administration is issued, assets are distributed in accordance with the Section 7 of the Intestate Succession Act 1967
*Above scenarios are non-exhaustive, please contact LP Law for more information.
Common Challenges in the Letters of Administration Process
Administrators may face challenges, such as when there are:
- Missing documents or where there is difficulty in obtaining renunciations.
- Disputes among beneficiaries about the distribution of assets.
- The need for an administration bond or sureties when required by the court, which can delay the process if not promptly addressed.
Obtaining a Letters of Administration is a crucial step in managing a deceased person’s assets. Though it may seem daunting, having the right information and documentation can streamline the process.
Our experienced legal professionals are here to guide you through every step and concern. Reach out to us if you are involved in a probate process or need more information on how to navigate it.
This article was written by
Timothy Wu
Director, LP Law Corporation
Questions? We’re here to help
Estate Matters and Distribution of Assets — Part 2
Welcome back to the second installment of our four-part series!
In this section, we will share more about Grant of Probate, helping you understand what it is and how it works.
In Singapore, when someone passes on and leaves behind a will and significant assets, the appointed executor must apply for a Grant of Probate from the Singapore courts. This legal document gives the executor the authority to manage the deceased’s estate, pay off any debts, and distribute the assets as outlined in the Will.
Which Court Handles the Application?
The application process depends on the value of the deceased’s estate:
- Estates valued up to SGD 5 million are heard by the Family Courts.
- Estates valued over SGD 5 million are heard by the Family Division of the High Court.
Documents Required for the Application
To apply for a Grant of Probate, the executor must file several documents through the Singapore Court’s eLitigation system:
- Originating Summons
- Statement
- Original Will (for Probate Registry’s inspection)
- Death Certificate
- Schedule of Assets
- Supporting Affidavit
- Administration Oath
- Administration Bond (where directed by Court)
- Summons for Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
- Consent of Dispensation of Sureties (if sureties are required but not found)
Timeframe for Obtaining the Grant of Probate
The process typically takes about 3 months from the time of application or more. This timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the completeness of submitted documents.
Why the Grant of Probate is Important
The Grant of Probate ensures that the executor can legally manage the estate according to the will. Without it, financial institutions and other asset holders will not release the deceased’s assets to the executor, and the estate cannot be distributed as intended. Additionally, a Grant of Probate protects the executor from future legal challenges concerning the administration of the estate.
Common Challenges in the Grant of Probate Process
Executors may face challenges, such as when there are:
- Missing documents or an invalid will.
- Disputes among beneficiaries about the validity of the will or the distribution of assets.
- The need for an administration bond or sureties when required by the court, which can delay the process if not promptly addressed.
Obtaining a Grant of Probate is a crucial step in managing a deceased person’s assets. While the process may seem daunting, having the right information and documentation can streamline the process.
Our experienced legal professionals are here to guide you through every step and concern. Reach out to us if you require more information with the probate process and need our professional legal assistance on how to navigate the application.
