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Working Hours

Replies: 44 - Last Post: Jan 18, 2013 11:15 PM Last Post By: landofsnows

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landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 17, 2012 3:30 AM
Posts:  103

Working Hours

Hi, if I am to accept a Managerial position in Singapore, what is the average weekly working hours like? The MOM website says 44 hours, but I know better than to trust governments.

It's of mid-level Managerial nature, not exactly senior. I have a department to run though.

Some friends says it's more like 50 over hours.

And there is only 14-day leave.

landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 17, 2012 4:56 AM
Posts:  103

1

To the patriots,

Don't worry, I'm not a FT. I'm Singapore-born.

westwood

westwood avatar

Nov 17, 2012 3:42 PM
Posts:  8,838

2

This is mainly a travel forum so dont think its the right place to be asking your question. Maybe find an expat forum instead.
But you'd find out any working conditions when you applied, wouldnt you??

landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 17, 2012 6:50 PM
Posts:  103

3

"But you'd find out any working conditions when you applied, wouldnt you??"

No

For God's sake, isn't going on long haul a form of traveling? You seem to have a rather narrow perception of traveling.

westwood

westwood avatar

Nov 17, 2012 7:17 PM
Posts:  8,838

4

And you're rather rude seeing as my response was totally civil!!


Living and Working Abroad Branch.

landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 17, 2012 11:28 PM
Posts:  103

5

Mate, everything in the world is intertwined. There are good reasons why I choose this branch, go away and stop wasting my time.

U remind me why I left Singapore in the first place, looks like the place doesn't change much

merantau

merantau avatar

Nov 18, 2012 12:42 PM
Posts:  656

6

Pray tell, why did you leave the vibrant, all-singing, all-dancing city-state in the first place? I reckon as re working hours the reality will be: how long is a piece of string? I fear they are going to want their pound of flesh so good luck and hope you come out the other end smiling and well-compensated for your efforts.

mikehuxley

mikehuxley avatar

Nov 18, 2012 6:52 PM
Posts:  591

7

Landofsnows, do you really think you'll get an answer now after being so rude on these forums? I suggest you leave and get your answers elsewhere!

YumSeng

YumSeng avatar

Nov 18, 2012 7:10 PM
Posts:  118

8

As merantau said, its a shylock situation.
All management level staff will need to work a minimum 50hr week, especially in the private sector. Theres no such thing as overtime for management level staff AFAIK.
And if you meet the target, at the end of your 12month service, you may receive a 13month (or 14month or more) bonus.
PM me if you need more info.

ANOOR

ANOOR avatar

Nov 18, 2012 8:51 PM
Posts:  471

9

Not sure how relevant my experience would be now to you OP.
I worked in S'pore in the mid 90s for 4 years. It was a package deal. I did not know what hit me for the first few months! The work load kept me awake at night always planning and thinking ahead. I was a wreck but eventually managed to calm myself and settle down. I remember I had to put in more than 50-60 hours a week, and as mentioned above, no overtime. All that was forgotten when I saw my end of year bonus!
I would do it again just for the experience and friends I made (the bonus helps too).
But that 4 years in S'pore is enough.
I was also single then so working those long hours weren't interfering in my social life. Thinking about it now, I didn't have a social life then.

wanderingstraycat

wanderingstraycat avatar

Nov 19, 2012 6:29 AM
Posts:  427

10

as #8 said, there's no such thing as overtime for management-level staff. 44 hours & getting paid for overtime applies only to those covered by the Employment Act (earning below SGD2500/month). my previous work contract stated that i had to work a minimum of 44 hours per week, which in reality turned out to be 60-80 hours.

14 days of annual leave sounds typical. those in the civil service get more though depending on rank/seniority & years of service, they can get as many as 21-28 days. but it isn't safe to assume that all employers will respect your 'right' to take time off...there are those who prefer that you forfeit some of your annual leave allowance, & those who expect you to get work done & stay in contact with (respond to emails) your office/colleagues even while you're on leave.

landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 19, 2012 7:45 AM
Posts:  103

11

Well, I am currently offered 49.5 hours, 9 hours on weekdays and 4.5 hours on weekends; 5.5 days.

Business Researches concluded that Singaporeans work the longest hours, yet have the lowest productivity. Interesting.

I guess the number of working hours does not equal to productivity (especially creativity). As the working hours go up, creativity comes down. We should really stop applying this 19th century industrial-age mentality to the 21st century.

YumSeng

YumSeng avatar

Nov 21, 2012 12:47 PM
Posts:  118

12

49.5 hours a week? Read that as 59.5 hours minimum

14 days annual leave? Read that as 7.

And on leave basically means you are not in the office physically , but technically you are still working via calls and emails.

Prepare yourself mentally for the worst case scenario if you do accept the offer.

ANOOR

ANOOR avatar

Nov 21, 2012 3:32 PM
Posts:  471

13

For me personally, that 4year stint was a rewarding experience, especially in financial terms.

I managed to include accomodation but not transport benefits in my package deal. Transport wasn't really an issue for me but accomodation was. That's what clinched the deal for me. The accomodation provided wasn't lavish by any means but more than acceptable for my needs and comfort.
Didn't realise I had that many friends and relatives while working there. Somehow they just managed to drop by while on holiday in S'pore, straight from the airport, bags and all !

landofsnows

landofsnows avatar

Nov 21, 2012 5:33 PM
Posts:  103

14

YumSeng, what's ur working hours and leave like?
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