As part of the efforts to support employers and uphold fair and harmonious workplaces, the service under TAFEP EAS will stop operating from 1 April 2026. The last day to book appointments for March 2026 is 27 March 2026, by 5.30 pm.

Please refer to the new payable service at SNEF’s Advisory, Resource and Consultancy Centre from DMY to make your appointments for 1 April 2026 onwards.
For more information, visit https://snef.org.sg. 

Guide to Workplace Fairness (For Employers)

Learn how to implement fair employment practices

Employers and HR can use this guide to review and make necessary improvements to your organisation’s employment practices in preparation for the Workplace Fairness Act (WFA). This page will be updated whenever more information and resources are available. 

Follow these steps to:

 

The Workplace Fairness Act: At a Glance

The WFA protects against workplace discrimination by prohibiting adverse employment decisions on the grounds of any protected characteristic. Such adverse employment decisions include hiring, appraisal, training, promotion, and dismissal decisions. 

The five categories of protected characteristics are: (a) age; (b) nationality; (c) sex, marital status, pregnancy status, and caregiving responsibilities; (d) race, religion and language ability; and (e) disability and mental health conditions.

The Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP) will continue to cover workplace discrimination based on other characteristics and complement the WFA to ensure fair and merit-based workplace practices in Singapore.

The WFA will promote better communication and amicable resolution of workplace issues through requiring firms to have grievance handling processes. This will help foster a safe and conducive space for employers and workers to discuss sensitive or difficult issues.

The WFA establishes a framework for workers to raise concerns amicably and expeditiously, while putting safeguards to discourage frivolous and vexatious claims. It encourages both parties to resolve issues through the organisation’s grievance handling process to facilitate dispute resolution at the firm level.

If this fails, the parties must undergo mediation with an independent mediator before any discrimination claim can proceed to the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) or the High Court for adjudication. During such proceedings, employers may seek support from their union representatives (e.g. SNEF), in both mediation and ECT hearings.

 

Step 1: Gaining Awareness

Under the WFA, workplace discrimination is defined as an unfair employment decision made because of any protected characteristic.  

The WFA will provide protections against the common and familiar forms of workplace discrimination at all employment stages based on the protected characteristics. 
 
The employment stages include: (i) pre-employment decisions, (ii) in-employment issues, and (iii) end-employment decisions. 

Click to download the infographic to understand key requirements, employer responsibilities and the claims process under the WFA.

Visit TAFEP's YouTube page to learn more about workplace discrimination. 

 

Step 2: Gaining Understanding

Creating a fair and harmonious workplace starts with understanding where your organisation stands today. With the implementation of the WFA, it is critical for employers to review and strengthen workplace practices to ensure compliance regularly. Doing so builds a more inclusive, efficient, and future-ready workplace—signalling strong leadership and a commitment to fair employment. 

Gaining Understanding of the Workplace Fairness Act 

Workplace Fairness Act E-Learning Courseware: Complete module 1: “Workplace Discrimination and Legislative Requirements”, launching in January 2026, to gain a deeper understanding of the Workplace Fairness Act requirements and obligations.  

Workplace Fairness Act briefing:  Attend the complimentary ‘Navigating Workplace Fairness’ (2-hour) briefing where participants will be able to clarify their understanding of the WFA and know the next steps to get ready for WFA implementation. 

Review your Organisation's Workplace Practices  
Fair and Progressive Employment Index: Take the 20-minute FPE index self-assessment module to review your current employment practices. You will receive practical insights as well as recommended resources, training and assistance to support you in strengthening those practices. 

For more information, refer to our resource guide to workplace fairness.  

 

Step 3: Taking Action

The WFA protects discrimination at all employment stages. Use the guides and templates to develop, review or improve your employment practices and ensure that your organisation is prepared for WFA compliance. 

Implement Fair Hiring Practices

Adopting fair hiring practices helps organisations ensure compliance, attract the best talent, and foster an inclusive workplace. Use these resources to implement fair hiring policies, craft non-discriminatory job ads and conduct objective interviews.

E-Learning Courseware – Self-paced online learning  

Handbook – An Implementation guide for Fair Hiring 

Checklist – Step-by-step guide to Fair Hiring 

Forms and Templates – Ready-to-use for implementation 

Infographics – A Quick guide to Fair Recruitment practices 

Briefing and coaching clinics 

  • Sign up for our complimentary briefings to learn about the Tripartite Standards or learn more about the Workplace Fairness Act.

Implement Grievance Handling Processes

Having Grievance handling is the management of employee dissatisfaction or complaints. Establishing formal grievance handling processes provides a safe environment for your employees to raise their concerns. You also create a channel to explain your policies and rationale for actions or decisions.  

As an employer, it is best to handle grievances in an amicable and supportive way to avoid unnecessary escalation and negative feelings. Grievance handling processes also allow you to identify and address unacceptable or unlawful practices quickly. Use these resources to implement a Grievance Handling Process.  

E-Learning Courseware– Self-paced online learning

Handbook – An Implementation guide for Grievance Handling

  • Grievance Handling Handbook - Guiding principles and practical steps to set up proper grievance handling policies, processes and handling of grievances

Forms and Templates – Ready-to-use for implementation

Infographic– A Quick guide to Grievance Handling

Briefing and coaching clinics

  • Sign up for our complimentary briefings to learn about the Tripartite Standards and learn more about the Workplace Fairness Act 

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