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ARTICLE · 07 JULY 2025

Fair Play At Work: Unpacking Singapore's Workplace Fairness Act

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Imagine a workplace where everyone has an equal chance to thrive, regardless of background. That is the vision behind Singapore's Workplace Fairness Act (WFA), passed on 8 January 2025.

SingaporeEmployment and HR
Jennifer Chih
Jennifer Chih
Maria Chang
Maria Chang
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At A Glance

  • The Workplace Fairness Act (WFA), passed on 8 January 2025, legally prohibits discrimination based on characteristics like age, nationality, sex, race, disability, and caregiving responsibilities across all employment stages.
  • Employers must implement clear grievance-handling procedures and may face fines or court-imposed penalties for non-compliance, though the government adopts an education-first approach.
  • To comply, organisations should update policies, train staff, audit employment practices, and maintain transparent, well-documented decisions, especially as exemptions for small firms may be reviewed within five years.

Imagine a workplace where everyone has an equal chance to thrive, regardless of background. That is the vision behind Singapore's Workplace Fairness Act (WFA), passed on 8 January 2025. While much of it echoes familiar principles from the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP), the WFA formalises these

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This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

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