COVID-19 brought the world’s economy to its knees. It put many people out of work, and many businesses folded. Of course, that meant that people were losing jobs in Singapore, too.
But when job loss happens to your own family, the statistics become a reality. And, frankly, it knocks the wind right out of you. I know, because when we learnt that my husband’s company was shuttering its Singapore office, the timing was awful. The job he’d held for two decades as a commodities broker was gone — and just four weeks after his father died. We had been living in Singapore for more than seven of those years and suddenly overnight our whole life turned upside down. At the time, we had no idea what the next month would hold.
So, what do you need to know if you lose your job in Singapore?
Employment Pass basics
For many expats living here, that all-important Employment Pass (EP) is key to staying in Singapore. The EP must be cancelled within one week of the employee’s last day of work with the company. The cancellation takes immediate effect. Once the EP has been cancelled, the former EP holder will be issued an acknowledgement letter and a Short Term Visit Pass (STVP) that’s good for thirty days. Yup. Thirty days. You have just thirty days to get your life in order.
Other passes
If you want to stay in Singapore, there are a few things you can do while you look for a job that comes with an EP.
High-earning EP holders can apply for something called a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), a one-time extension that is good for three years. To qualify, current EP holders must make a certain amount a month (the amount has just changed). You should apply for this pass before the EP is cancelled so get right on it.
If you get a PEP, your family can generally get the same passes they held before. This means everybody can keep going to school and working while the EP holder looks for another bread-winning job. PEP holders cannot be business owners or engage in entrepreneurial activities. Unfortunately, the government has been issuing very few PEPs in the current environment.
Another possibility is applying for Student Passes for your children if they are enrolled in a recognised program within Singapore. Most international schools will help you with the application as it’s in their vested interested to keep your kids at school, but not all schools can do this so you’ll need to check. Then, only the mother or grandmother of the child can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), allowing the mother and child to stay in Singapore even after the EP holder loses a job.
Some schools also require both parents’ authorisation to apply for their children to be placed on a Student’s Pass. This sometimes becomes an issue when parents are going through a divorce, and the EP holder refuses to provide authorisation. In such circumstances, the parent without an EP may have to apply to the Family Justice Courts (FJC) to seek the necessary orders against the parent who is refusing.
Setting up your own business
You can even try setting up your own business by incorporating through ACRA. Be sure to plan well and use a company to walk you through the incorporation process and know that there may be more red tape and hurdles to cross than in your home country. If you’re not a Singapore PR or citizen, you’ll have to have a local person act as your director; most of the companies who set up companies can provide the director for you for a fee. They will also charge a fee every time there needs to be an official signature, which could be expensive if your company requires a lot of contracts to be signed. Take a look at this Expat Living article, which has more about what you need to know to set up your own company.
You can set up your business with a pipe dream, but then applying for an EP under your business is far more involved. First off, be prepared for a lot of paperwork. MOM will probably want details on the company’s activities and proof of ongoing business operations such as bank statements, sales invoices issued to major clients, financial statements, major client contracts secured, and latest corporate bank statements. They’ll likely want details on the company’s products, licenses and photos of their operations. The main concern is the financial health of the company.
Negotiating severance
Severance packages must be negotiated, but there are some things employees are obliged to pay to a foreign employee, such as the following:
- unpaid salary
- unused accrued annual leave entitlement
- salary in lieu of notice
- maternity benefits (where applicable)
- other benefits under employment contract
But there are some other, non-obligatory things that you might try to have added to your severance package.
- ex-gratia payments
- cash allowances
- continuation of insurance plan
- out-placement services
- legal fees
Searching for new job
The idea of looking for a new job may seem daunting, particularly in a time of global uncertainty. Don’t worry, however – there are jobs out there. It’s just a matter of knowing where to start.
First of all, take a deep breath then tell every single person you know that you’re looking for a job. Let your network of friends and colleagues help you. Don’t get hung up being embarrassed. Your friends understand that the economy has been awful and that COVID-19 job losses have been unavoidable in recent times. Remember that most people get jobs through networking. There are still people hiring. In fact, there’s even a special page on LinkedIn where companies are listing jobs. And, of course, there are the traditional head hunters.
There are lots of job search sites, too, such as Job Street and Monster.
Dealing with landlords
Most expats probably have a diplomatic clause in their contract. They’re all a bit different, but generally, if you’ve lived in your home for twelve months, you can give two months notice and get out of your lease if you’re being transferred out of Singapore by your employers, or if you cease to be employed. But it’s important to read your lease well as not all are the same. Some also require you to pay a portion of the rental agent fee if you ditch out of your contract too soon. Some landlords are even more difficult, nitpicking every little thing as they’re frustrated at losing months of expected rent. Work hard to get your home in good order before moving out. Perhaps even work with your landlord to find somebody to take over your lease.
So if you don’t have a diplomatic clause, you may be stuck. Pay particular attention and look out for things in your lease such as a diplomatic clauses, a right to terminate clause, or any force majeure clauses.
What’s a force majeure? It’s a provision that addresses unexpected external circumstances that may prevent a party from discharging its duties. The two parties have to agree on the scope and definition of these external circumstances, and force majeure clauses are usually drafted narrowly. It will depend on each and every situation, and includes these stipulations:
- the event in the clause has occurred and results in the tenant being unable to or delayed in performing his contractual obligations;
- the non-performance is due to the unforeseen and unexpected circumstance;
- the circumstance is beyond the tenant’s control;
- there are no reasonable steps that the tenant can/could have taken to avoid or mitigate the event or its effects.
Moving home when you lose your job
If you don’t get a new job and none of the other passes come through, the law in Singapore is that the company that held your EP must pay to repatriate a retrenched employee. Spencer explains, “A company is responsible for costs associated with repatriating the foreign employee unless the EP consents otherwise in writing, like in the employee’s contract. The requirement is statutory and, as such, as long as the foreign employee holds a valid EP, this is a legal obligation on the part of the employer.” So even if you are working without a contract, but your company sponsored your EP, the company must pay all costs of repatriating you and your dependants.
The cost of transporting furniture and belongings can be sought through negotiation of an exit agreement. You can also negotiate the cost of repatriating pets. Most multinational companies will cover this cost, but smaller companies may not.
Be sure to also check on your medical insurance. Will it cover you when you move? Many companies offer health care extensions, but if you aren’t so lucky, you’ll need to figure out your options back home. Be vigilant about this. You do not want a period of no coverage, now more so than ever. Be sure to get medical records to take with you, and check in with the orthodontist on your kid’s plan so that you can get the same care where you move.
I also spoke to our vet and it turns out that moving your pet home can also be harder now than it once was. The prices have increased dramatically in some cases and some countries are requiring quarantine prior to flying when they used to not. The quarantine only adds to the price tag. She recommended using Jason’s Pet Relocation.
Culling your things
You’ll likely want to dump stuff before you leave. Wattage on appliances is often different where you’re headed and you cannot bring some things into another country such as alcohol.
You can still pass things on to others via Expat Living’s noticeboard, or Facebook pages such as Real Singapore Expat Wives Classifieds and Classifieds – Singapore Expat Wives. Or you can try selling them on Carousell. Lots of people also sell stuff on their school’s Facebook page.
If you want to donate items, we have a big list of options here. You can also list donations on Pass It On, and Blessings Only, or go to The Salvation Army donation-in-kind booths. And, of course, you can send items home to your helper’s family for $150 a box to the Philippines.
Managing emotions
Of course, a big part of leaving when you lose your job is the emotions that go with it. There’s shock, denial, anger, grief, embarrassment – it’s all there. You need to give yourself space to embrace all these things: the feelings are important to acknowledge. Yet you can’t let yourself be paralysed by it all. You have too much to organise in those thirty days.
Still, juggling these emotions is downright hard. Maria Luedeke from Aspire Counselling offers some advice.
“Who we are is largely socially determined by what we do, so the loss of a job is the loss of a part of our identity. It can trigger all sorts of anxieties. It’s important to focus on the fact that while you didn’t choose to leave your job, you do have a choice as to how you react to losing your job. Coping with job loss positively revolves are three basic areas: first, planning for changed financial circumstances; second, cognitive restructuring of thoughts and ideas around job loss; and third, taking definite action including setting goals and structured work aimed at taking charge of the situation and moving towards a positive outcome.”
If you’re having a really tough time, find a qualified counsellor or coach to help you move more positively forward.
Letting your helper go
For me, one of the hardest thoughts about leaving Singapore and losing our jobs was saying goodbye to our amazing helper, Cristina. She started working for us the month we got here when my children were just toddlers. She has been a huge part of our family. I wanted to make sure Cristina found a good family who would treat her well. She is an absolute gem.
And so one of the very first people I told our news to was Jennifer Yarbrough, my good friend who owns White Glove, an employment agency that places helpers who have been working in Singapore. Jennifer matches families and helpers and also helps apply for EPs and DPs. She has a few suggestions:
- First and foremost, make sure your helper finds a reputable agent who will help ensure they find another job quickly.
- Suggest your helper join Facebook groups to aid in their job search. Jennifer is the admin on Singapore Expat Helpers, and she posts jobs daily and keep everyone updated on the latest changes with MOM.
- It’s very important to write your helper a letter of recommendation so that she can provide it to prospective employers, both now and in the future. It helps get her interviews.
- Be flexible. Let your helper interview as often as she can, even during work hours. She may also need your help setting up a virtual interview. This will help her secure employment quickly.
So now what?
Recently, I wrote about the silver lining to COVID-19. My mom used to tell me if I looked hard enough, I’d always find one. And I know there will be one coming out of this trying time, too. I actually love reinvention and new challenges. It’s good for the soul to “uproot thyself” and to try something new. Things usually work out for the best. Jobs are like evolution. The next one is usually better than the last.
Also, while the great unknown is a bit overwhelming, it also shows you the many glimmers of good. So many of our friends stepped up to help us, sharing our resumes and giving us words of encouragement. People brought us food. Even my physical therapist gave me a free session and a flower. Crisis reminded me that I have a lot of love in my life.
Looking for a job in Singapore? Check out this article for useful tips.
