WORKERS' GUIDELINES

• Who qualifies: Workers whose performance is satisfactory and are medically fit. 
• Job options: Negotiable. Employers can offer workers the same job, a modified job or a different job altogether. 
• Perks: Rehired workers to be eligible for employment benefits such as annual leave and sick leave without having to work a minimum qualifying period. 
• Dispute resolution: Workers who feel they have been unfairly dismissed may appeal to the Manpower Ministry for reinstatement or compensation.

EMPLOYERS' GUIDELINES

• Inform workers at least one year before re-employment that you want to discuss performance, job arrangements and terms and benefits. 
• Offer re-employment contract at least three months before retirement to give workers time to consider. 
• Inform those not eligible for re-employment so they can prepare for retirement or seek a new job. 
• For those to be rehired, offer one three-year contract up to age 65, or renewable shorter-term contracts. Their pay can be near mid-point of their existing salary range, while taking into account productivity, performance and duties. 
• Offer eligible workers who cannot be re-employed a one-off Employment Assistance Payment (EAP) to help them while they job-hunt. EAP should be enough to help low-wage workers, but not so high that it would make them lose motivation to seek a new job.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.