Employer withholding my last month salary, what are my rights?
I resigned and served my full notice, but my ex-employer is now refusing to pay my last month's salary claiming I 'didn't hand over properly'. I did everything asked. What can I do in Singapore to get my money?
Anonymous asker·Asked on 13 hours ago·3 views·2 answers
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From my experience, under the Employment Act your salary must be paid within seven days of the last day of employment, and an employer generally cannot just withhold it over a vague handover claim. First, put everything in writing: email them stating you served notice, completed the handover, and requesting your final salary with a clear deadline. Keep all evidence like emails, handover documents and your resignation acceptance. If they still refuse, you can file a claim with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, TADM, which handles salary disputes and offers mediation for free. If mediation fails it can go to the Employment Claims Tribunal. Stay factual and unemotional in all correspondence. Most employers pay up once they see you know the proper channels. This is general experience, so for a serious dispute get advice from MOM or a lawyer.
S Sabrina BeginnerFirst-hand experience
This happened to a friend and TADM sorted it out. The key is documentation. Save your appointment letter, resignation email, the employer's acknowledgement, and proof you completed handover tasks. Send a polite but firm written demand giving them a specific date to pay. If nothing, lodge a claim through the TADM portal online, it's designed for exactly this and you don't need a lawyer to start. There are time limits to file, so don't drag it out for months. Deductions from salary are only allowed for specific lawful reasons, and 'handover not done' is usually not one of them if you actually did the work. Keep calm and let the official process apply pressure. For anything complex or if large sums are involved, consider speaking to MOM or a legal clinic for proper advice.