In Your Opinion Podcast

Inside disguised retrenchments: An employment lawyer on how companies force workers out

Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each week, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day.

With the landmark Workplace Fairness Act (WFA) set to take full effect in late 2027, the rules of the corporate game are about to change. But will the new laws actually protect the everyday worker, or just create new legal loopholes?

In this episode of In Your Opinion, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with veteran employment lawyer Jonathan Yuen, Partner at Rajah & Tann.

They peel back the curtain on the dark side of HR tactics, from weaponised Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the 24-hour ultimatum room. Plus, an insider look at the new $250,000 Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) limit, and why the upcoming legal changes might force unrepresented employees into a David and Goliath battle against corporate HR.

Highlights (click/tap above):

8:46 Myth busted: The ‘1 month per year’ severance rule

20:41 Should Singapore introduce a mandatory cooling-off period for severance offers?

25:30 What is the most practical change from the Workplace Fairness Act?

32:44 Genuine struggles vs weaponising mental health against employers

39:06 The $250,000 claim limit and the ban on lawyers under the new law

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

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