Singapore ECT Publishes First 5 Rulings on Dismissal, Overtime and Benefits
Updated
Updated · HRD America · Aug 11
Singapore ECT Publishes First 5 Rulings on Dismissal, Overtime and Benefits
1 articles · Updated · HRD America · Aug 11
Summary
Five anonymized Employment Claims Tribunals decisions published between May 15 and July 13 mark the first public guidance from Singapore’s ECT since it was set up in 2017.
The rulings clarify core employment disputes: one wrongful-dismissal claim succeeded, a foreign worker won overtime pay, a commission underpayment claim succeeded, and a retirement case led to notice pay plus an employment assistance payment.
They also set limits for employees’ claims, with tribunals rejecting demands for a discretionary bonus, extra retrenchment benefits and share-option payouts where no contractual entitlement or bad-faith exercise of discretion was proven.
The decisions stress process and evidence: employers must conduct due inquiry for misconduct cases, keep and disclose attendance records, draft pay plans clearly, and handle re-employment obligations reasonably.
MOM said in September 2025 that ECT judgments need not be published by default, but selected rulings would be released to improve awareness while preserving the private nature of tribunal proceedings.