Redundancy & final pay
A hard week. Here is what you may be owed, and what to do first.
Your first-week checklist
- Get the letter, your last day and the payout breakdown in writing
- Check unused leave, bonus and notice pay
- Save payslips, your tax form and references to the Confidential vault
- Work out your job-search runway
- Update your resume while your wins are fresh: Chapterwise's career-break and reason-for-leaving wording helps
Singapore
- No statutory amount; the Tripartite Advisory on retrenchment suggests 2 weeks' to 1 month's salary per year of service for 2+ years
- Employers with 10 or more staff must notify MOM within 5 working days of telling you
- Ask about outplacement support and the Workforce Singapore career matching services
Malaysia
- Termination benefits under the Employment Act (12+ months' service): 10 days' wages per year under 2 years, 15 days for 2 to 5 years, 20 days for 5+ years
- Claim the Employment Insurance System (PERKESO EIS) job-search allowance
- Get your EA form and EPF statement before your last day
Australia
- National Employment Standards: 4 to 16 weeks' redundancy pay depending on service (businesses with 15+ employees)
- Notice of 1 to 4 weeks, plus 1 week if you are over 45 with 2+ years' service
- Part of a genuine redundancy payment is tax-free up to an indexed limit (check the ATO)
New Zealand
- No statutory redundancy pay: check your employment agreement
- Your notice period and unused holiday pay must be paid out
- You can ask for the reasons and a chance to give feedback before a final decision
Philippines
- Redundancy pay: at least 1 month's pay per year of service (Labor Code)
- 30 days' written notice to you and to DOLE
- Ask for your Certificate of Employment, BIR 2316 and last pay within 30 days
General information, not legal advice. Check MOM (SG), JTK Semenanjung (MY), Fair Work Ombudsman (AU), Employment New Zealand or DOLE (PH).