The Workplace Fairness Act is one of two laws to introduce Singapore's first Workplace Fairness Legislation (WFL). The act implements the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices' 2023 anti-discrimination recommendations, which are based on and enhance the non-binding Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (see our April 2023 article: Singapore: Developing workplace anti-discrimination legislation for more details). The bill was approved by Parliament on January 8, 2025. A second WFL bill — addressing unfairness claims that would amend the Employment Claims Act — is expected during 2025. Both laws are currently expected to take effect in either 2026 or 2027.
From an employer's perspective, following are the Workplace Fairness Act's main provisions:
Even though the existing guidelines (which were first issued in 2007) form the basis of the act's provisions and the WFL in general, employers should familiarize themselves with the act's requirements to ensure compliance. The Ministry of Manpower estimates that around 60% of employers currently have formal policies and procedures addressing workplace discrimination.