Enhancement of Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices

The Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices is formulated by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices and provides for recommended fair employment practices for employers to adopt.

A copy of the current Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices can be found here.

The Ministry of Manpower of Singapore had on 30 January 2023, announced that the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices will be enhanced in mid-February 2023 to include additional guidelines for employers and employees on exercising sensitivity at the workplace, regarding non-work-related activities.

In its announcement, the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore had indicated that the enhancements is to “underscore the importance of building and maintaining a harmonious workplace, where individuals of different backgrounds, abilities and beliefs continue to feel valued, engaged, and respected”.

A summary of the enhancements are as follows:

1. Employers should be sensitive to the diverse cultures, values and beliefs of all employees when developing, promoting or implementing non-work-related events, programmes and policies.
2. Any support for any cause should not lead to bullying, harassment or ostracism at the workplace. Employees should be provided with a safe environment to raise their concerns, including having a proper grievance handling process.
3. Employees should only be assessed for performance, promotion and related areas based on work-related requirements, in accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
4. Employees should not be required or pressured to support or participate in non-work-related events, programmes and policies. Non-support or non-participation should not affect their employment.
5. Employers should continue to demonstrate and communicate the importance of an inclusive and harmonious workplace.

Employers are expected to abide by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, including these enhancements. Non-compliance may result in the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore curtailing work pass privileges of non-compliant employers.

Further information on the above enhancements can be found here. More details will be released by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices and/or the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore going forward.