07 January 2026Publication
Singapore Employment Outlook 2026
In 2025, Singapore took bold steps towards reshaping its employment law framework. In 2026, we watch for the devil in the details
Our Employee Incentives group helps organisations to maintain a competitive edge by creating and advising on remuneration strategies that motivate and retain company executives, senior managers and the wider workforce. A key part of the use of incentives to reward staff is ensuring that such incentives are aligned with the aims of shareholders and other stakeholders.
We advise clients on all the issues that need to be considered as part of their incentive programmes, including: tax, company law, corporate governance and employment and regulatory issues.
We regularly advise on employee incentives as part of cross-disciplinary teams on corporate and M&A transactions.
We also work with banks, institutional investors, asset managers and other financial services firms on all aspects of regulation under the PRA/FCA Remuneration Codes, from structuring bonus deferral, new hire and severance arrangements to reporting to the PRA/FCA and public disclosure requirements.
We advise on all aspects of employee incentives, including the design, drafting and implementation of:
- Cash bonus plans
- Manager equity arrangements
- Share incentive plans
We also provide advice on the tax, legal and regulatory implications of operating these arrangements in the UK and internationally.
Our experience
Global bank
Advising a US based global bank on the legal and regulatory implications of operating bonus deferral programmes in the UK. Also on remuneration arrangements to meet the requirements of applicable banking regulations in the UK and other EU countries (including the bonus cap rules in the EU) and regulatory reporting and disclosure requirements in all countries outside the US.
Bonus deferral plans
Advising a Hong Kong listed PRC headquartered financial services group on the design and drafting of bonus deferral plans (using phantom share arrangements). Also on the co-investment plans and the legal and regulatory implications of operating them in Hong Kong, the PRC, the UK, the US and other countries.
Financial services
Advising numerous banks and other financial services companies on deferral arrangements that are compliant with regulatory requirements using phantom share plans and RSU plans.
Key contacts
If you have any questions, contact a member of the Employee Incentives team for assistance:
Related insights
25 July 2023 Publication
Tax incentives for occupational health
The government is consulting on expanding the scope of tax incentives for employers providing access to occupational health services for employees.
16 March 2022 Publication
Whistleblower Protection Law
This law expands on the provisions of the so-called “Sapin 2” law, which defined the status of a whistle-blower, and extends protections.
16 March 2022 Publication
Loi sur la protection des lanceurs d’alerte
Cette loi vient approfondir le dispositif Sapin 2 qui avait créé le statut de lanceur d’alerte, et va au-delà des protections prévues par la directive.
07 December 2021 Publication
Time of acquisition of restricted securities
The Court of Appeal has held that options over shares are acquired when granted rather than when the rights under the options vest