Table of Contents
Introduction
Key Considerations for Employing in Singapore
Benefits
Employment Contracts
Onboarding
Leaves
Payroll & Taxes
Termination Process
Invoice Schedule
Get Started with Omnipresent
1. Introduction
Hiring in Singapore requires compliance with well-regulated labor laws, mandatory benefits schemes, and immigration requirements. Omnipresent’s Employer of Record (EOR) service ensures a compliant and seamless employment experience from onboarding to offboarding.
2. Key Considerations for Employing in Singapore
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Language: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
Employer Costs: Low
Termination Complexity: Simple
Onboarding Timeline: Once we receive the relevant documents from the employee, the contract is approved by all parties, and the deposit (if applicable) is paid, Omnipresent can onboard the employee within just 48 business hours.
Payroll Frequency: Monthly
3. Benefits
What We Offer
Mandatory:
Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions (for Singapore citizens and PRs)
Work Injury Compensation Insurance (WICA)
Public Healthcare Access
Supplementary:
Group Health Insurance
Dental & Vision Coverage
Business Travel Insurance
Healthcare
Public healthcare is available through MediShield Life.
Employers typically offer private health insurance as an enhanced benefit.
Retirement
CPF Contributions are required for Singapore citizens and PRs:
Employer: up to 17%
Employee: up to 20%
No CPF is payable for foreign employees
4. Employment Contracts
Contract Types
Indefinite-term contracts
Fixed-term contracts (permitted and common)
Requirements
Written contracts strongly recommended (mandatory for certain job classes)
Language: English
Signature Requirements: Digital signatures accepted
Backdating: Not permitted
Contract Customisation
Customisable: Unlimited PTO, extra-legal sick days, variable bonuses
Non-customisable: CPF opt-outs (if eligible), compliance-based terms
Probation Period
Typically 3–6 months, no legal minimum or maximum
Termination during probation requires notice or salary in lieu
5. Onboarding
Timeline
Typical onboarding takes 2 working days, including:
Platform Setup
Right-to-Work Check
Employment Contract Processing
Benefits & Payroll Enrollment
Visa Sponsorship
EORs are not allowed to sponsor work visas in Singapore anymore.
Existing visa holders will not be affected but this regulatory change will have impact on renewals.
Right-to-Work
Mandatory for all employees
Foreigners require a valid work visa before employment starts
Employee Transfers
Seniority may be recognized, depending on prior contract
6. Leaves
Annual Leave
Minimum 7 days, increasing with service
Market standard is 14–20 days
Sick Leave
Up to 60 days per year, including 14 days outpatient and 46 days hospitalisation
Requires MC (medical certificate) issued by a registered doctor
Maternity Leave
16 weeks for Singapore citizens
12 weeks for non-citizens
Paternity Leave
2 weeks paid (for Singapore citizen children)
Childcare Leave
6 days/year (up to 2 children under age 7)
Extended childcare leave of 2 days (for children aged 7–12)
Public Holidays
11 paid public holidays, including:
New Year’s Day
Chinese New Year
Good Friday
Hari Raya
Deepavali
National Day
Christmas, etc.
7. Payroll & Taxes
Payroll Cycle
Monthly
Cut-off: 6th of each month
Payment: Last working day of the month
Compensation
No statutory bonuses, but 13th-month bonus (AWS) is customary
Variable bonuses often linked to performance
Employer Costs
Estimated 17%–20% (CPF contributions apply to citizens and PRs only)
Use the OmniCalculator for specifics
Work Schedule
44 hours/week standard
Common structure: 5-day workweek (9 AM – 6 PM)
8. Termination Process
Notice Period
Minimum 1 week, depending on tenure
Contractually agreed periods are enforceable
Notice may be waived by payment in lieu
Termination Grounds
Allowed: redundancy, performance, misconduct
Mutual termination encouraged for smooth offboarding
Severance Pay
Not mandatory, unless specified by contract or CBA
Often 1–3 months’ salary offered as goodwill
Offboarding Checklist
Ensure all CPF contributions are complete
Provide final payslip and tax documentation
Cancel work pass (if applicable)
9. Invoice Schedule
Initial Fees
Setup Fees: Triggered when Terms are signed
Deposit: Due when the employment contract is ready
Initial Salary Prepayment: Invoiced on start date
Monthly Invoicing
Billed monthly in arrears after payroll confirmation
Invoice includes:
Labour cost
Employer contributions
Omnipresent service fee
10. Get Started with Omnipresent
We handle your employment needs in Singapore—contracts, benefits, tax, compliance, and more. Start hiring confidently and compliantly.