Steady hands in the workplace.
Founded to bring clarity and composure to the working relationship, Peranakan Partners has become a trusted resource for employment matters across Singapore.
Back to HomeBuilt Around the Working Relationship
Peranakan Partners was established with a straightforward purpose: to make sound employment law accessible to those who need it most — not only large corporations with in-house legal teams, but also individuals navigating workplace difficulties and smaller businesses trying to do things properly.
The name draws on a spirit of rootedness and community that has long been part of Singapore's character. We believe the workplace, at its best, reflects those same qualities — people working together within clear and fair frameworks, with respect on both sides.
Our work covers three areas where clarity makes the greatest difference: the employment contract that sets expectations from the start, the policies that guide day-to-day conduct, and the resolution of disputes when workplace relationships break down. In each of these areas, we aim to provide advice that is honest, well-considered, and suited to the specific circumstances.
Why We Do This Work
Fair Workplaces
We care about employment relationships that are fair and well-documented. When both parties understand their rights and obligations, fewer disputes arise and those that do are easier to resolve.
Informed Decisions
We think people make better decisions when they understand the situation clearly. Our role is to provide that understanding, not to steer decisions in any particular direction.
Long-Term Perspective
Employment law in Singapore continues to evolve. We stay current with legislative changes and Tripartite guidance so that our clients' contracts and policies remain sound over time.
Our Advisory Team
Each team member brings focused experience in a specific area of employment and workplace relations.
Chiang Li-Wei
Principal Adviser
Specialises in employment contract structuring and legislative compliance, with particular experience advising technology sector employers on workforce documentation.
Nanthini Rajan
Workplace Policy Adviser
Focuses on internal policy development and implementation, including anti-harassment frameworks and flexible work arrangements aligned with Tripartite Guidelines.
Yusuf Halim
Dispute Advisory
Handles employment dispute advisory, including representation at TADM mediation sessions and guidance on Employment Claims Tribunal proceedings for both employers and employees.
Standards We Hold Ourselves To
Legislative Currency
We monitor changes to the Employment Act, Tripartite Guidelines, and MOM circulars so that advice reflects the law as it currently stands.
Confidentiality
All information shared with us is treated with strict discretion. We do not share client details or use engagement specifics for any purpose beyond the matter at hand.
Plain Language Communication
We avoid unnecessary legal jargon. Documents and advice are written to be understood, not to impress.
Conflict Management
We check for conflicts of interest before taking on any matter and are transparent about situations where we cannot assist.
Scope Transparency
We are clear about what is covered in each engagement before work begins, so there are no misunderstandings about deliverables or fees.
Professional Development
Our team regularly attends seminars and training programmes to maintain depth in employment law and tribunal practice.
Employment Law Advisory in Singapore
Singapore's employment law framework is detailed and updated periodically. The Employment Act sets out the core terms that must be reflected in every contract, while the Tripartite Guidelines provide supplementary direction on areas ranging from flexible work to retrenchment practices. Staying across these frameworks requires continuous attention — something that many businesses, particularly smaller ones, find difficult to maintain alongside day-to-day operations.
Peranakan Partners operates at the intersection of this legal detail and practical workplace reality. We work across industries — finance, technology, retail, healthcare, and professional services — and at different organisational scales, from sole-proprietors expanding their teams to listed companies managing complex workforce restructuring. Each context brings its own considerations, and our advisory is shaped accordingly.
When workplace disputes arise, early and clear advice often determines how they develop. Many matters that reach formal proceedings could have been resolved, or at least better managed, with earlier legal input. We encourage employers and employees alike to seek advice at the outset rather than after positions have hardened — not because conflicts are always avoidable, but because understanding one's position clearly from the start leads to better outcomes.
Want to learn more about how we work?
We are happy to take an initial enquiry and discuss whether our services align with what you need.
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