Originally published February 2010
Tripartite Guidelines On Re-Employment Of Older Employees
In November 2009, the Ministry of Manpower released the draft Tripartite Guidelines on Re-employment of Older Employees ("Draft Guidelines") to the public for feedback. The finalised Guidelines are expected to be released in early 2010.
The Draft Guidelines follow an earlier advisory released in April 2008 by the Tripartite Committee on Employability of Older Workers, and is expected to serve as a reference guide to help companies understand re-employment, help them tap the value and experience of their workers who are past the retirement age, and ultimately prepare employers for the re-employment legislation that will be enacted by 2012. The Draft Guidelines will also help older workers who are adaptable and skilled to stay employed and continue to make their contributions in the workplace.
The Draft Guidelines provide practical advice on good re-employment practices, including:
- giving employers the flexibility to employ and retain older workers beyond the minimum statutory retirement age of 62;
- practical solutions to help employers put in place the necessary systems and processes for re-employment, such as pre-retirement planning and re-employment consultation; job arrangements for re-employment; adjustments to wages and benefits; and offering employment assistance payment to these older workers if the employer is unable to retain them beyond the statutory retirement age of 62; and
- encouraging older workers who are adaptable and skilled to continue to work.
The Singapore government encourages employers to implement the Guidelines when finalised, before the re-employment legislation comes into effect in 2012.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
