Facing an employment dispute can be a disruptive experience, especially if the other party is not willing to resolve it or does not negotiate in good faith. In these circumstances, obtaining professional legal support can help navigate a complex workplace situation, choose an optimal course of action, and pursue your legal options.
When facing workplace conflicts, finding affordable legal advice can be a priority for someone constrained by the potential consequences of disputes at work or losing their employment. Below, we describe common scenarios when you may need legal guidance and outline where to find affordable legal advice for employment disputes and wrongful dismissal in Singapore.
Key Takeaways
- When you face an employment dispute, you will need to clearly understand your legal options, which often requires obtaining legal advice.
- Depending on eligibility, you can obtain legal guidance for employment disputes through the official support channels of the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), legal clinics, and employment law firms.
- While the lawyers cannot represent you in TADM mediation or hearings at the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT), obtaining legal advice for employment disputes can help you better navigate the process, choose the most advantageous strategy, and avoid omissions.
- If your case exceeds the limits for claims reviewed by the TADM or ECT (S$20,000 or S$30,000 for claims going through the Tripartite Mediation Framework), you may need to pursue legal action in the State Courts, where you can benefit from legal support by employment lawyers.
When to Seek Legal Advice for an Employment Dispute?
When you have a workplace dispute, you can try to resolve it by approaching your HR manager or direct supervisor to address your concerns. Your employment contract and your company’s employee handbook, if it exists, should contain all key employment terms, which frame your workplace relationships and may help clarify the rights and obligations that need to be fulfilled.
However, if one of the parties is not willing to negotiate, observe their obligations, and resolve a dispute in good faith, you may need to seek independent legal advice. Common workplace situations that can prompt seeking legal advice include workplace discrimination, unpaid salary, overtime or vacation pay, and wrongful dismissal.
What Is Legal Advice for Employment Disputes in Singapore?
In Singapore, legal advice can be provided only by lawyers and practising solicitors. Generally, when lawyers provide legal advice, they need to ascertain the facts in your case, explain the law, apply the law to your facts, and charge you for their legal service.
When you seek legal support, you can obtain both free legal guidance and paid legal advice. You can find resources for legal advice on the public sector and private sector sites. When seeking personalised legal support, you can also turn to employment lawyers in Singapore, specialising in employment disputes and wrongful dismissal claims.
Where to Get Affordable Legal Help for Employment Disputes and Wrongful Dismissal in Singapore?
Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM)
The Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) helps employees and employers resolve workplace disputes and wrongful dismissal claims by offering a range of services, including:
- access to a TADM chatbot advisory service,
- mediation for employment claims up to S$20,000 or S$30,000 if you go through the Tripartite Mediation Framework.
There are also employment-related claims that need to be filed first at TADM before they can be heard at the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT). These include:
- employment claims related to statutory benefits, for example, overtime pay, maternity leave, and other types of leave,
- wrongful dismissal claims,
- retrenchment benefits.
Trade Union
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in Singapore provides advice on workplace grievances, salary-related claims, wrongful dismissals, and other common workplace issues for unionised employees. To be eligible, you need to hold an NTUC Union Membership and have no outstanding payments of membership fees. Eligible employees can submit their request for assistance through the form on the NTUC website or via an AI-powered chatbot.
Law Society Pro Bono Services
Originally established as a department within The Law Society of Singapore, Pro Bono SG provides basic legal consultations for eligible low-income individuals. The legal consultations are provided virtually or in person through Pro Bono SG legal clinics. Meanwhile, employment disputes are often referred to TADM for mediation.
When to Speak with an Employment Lawyer?
In Singapore, you can obtain affordable legal advice from employment law firms that specialise in handling workplace grievances and employment claims. Some of these law firms are featured for employment legal advice by the Law Society of Singapore and offer affordable legal fees to enable you to access the legal services and address your workplace issues.
While lawyers cannot represent employers or employees during TADM mediation or proceedings in the Employment Claims Tribunals, they can guide you throughout the process, assist with filings, and help avoid mistakes and omissions. If your claim exceeds the maximum limits reviewed by the Employment Claims Tribunals (S$20,000 or S$30,000 with prior TADM mediation), you will need to file your claim in the State Courts, where the assistance of employment lawyers may prove indispensable.
How to Choose аn Employment Lawyer for Workplace Disputes or Wrongful Dismissal?
You can start looking for employment lawyers in Singapore by asking for a recommendation from someone you trust and who was in a similar situation. If you don’t have such contacts, you can start looking for employment law firms online, reading their websites, and checking their pages for the types of cases they handle.
When you check lawyers online, it is often helpful to read their reviews and learn what their clients say about their experience with a law firm. Finally, you can learn more about a law firm when you reach out to them for an initial consultation to find out about their approach, their fees, and how they can assist you.
Conclusion
While many employment disputes can be resolved by negotiations or through mediation, some workplace situations require legal advice. You can obtain legal guidance through the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, seek resolution through mediation, or file your claim for review by the Employment Claims Tribunals.
While lawyers cannot represent you in the TADM or ECT, you can benefit from legal guidance and support during mediation and hearings. If your claim exceeds the limits for ECT claims, you may need to proceed with your claim at the State Courts and engage a lawyer to assist you. If you have questions, need additional information, or seek affordable legal advice for your employment claims or wrongful dismissal, please don’t hesitate to contact IRB Law’s employment lawyers for an initial consultation.
