A contract of service is defined by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as any written or verbal agreement (expressed or implied) that establishes an employer-employee relationship.
The employer under the law is not allowed to change the terms and conditions of employment unless the employee agrees to it. Terms or conditions that are less favourable than provisions under the Employment Act are illegal, null and void. Essential clauses of contracts of service are:
- Commencement of employment;
- Appointment – job title and job scope;
- Hours of work;
- Probation period (if any);
- Remuneration;
- Employee’s benefits (e.g. sick leave, annual leave, maternity leave);
- Termination of contract – notice period; and
- Code of conduct
Types of Contract of Service
- Full-time : Not less than 35 hours per week
- Part-time : Less than 35 hours per week
- Casual or Relief: Ad hoc work arrangements
Itemised Payslips and Employment Records
A set of Tripartite Guidelines has been released to encourage and guide employers to issue itemised payslips for all their employees. The Government will closely monitor the adoption of the guidelines, before phasing in the requirements over time.
Since 1 April 2014, a range of user-friendly tools, for example, simple payslip booklets, download templates and funding support for customised solutions, has been made available on MOM’s website.