The Court of Appeal in Singapore upheld a decision ordering a law firm to pay its former supporting officer around S$2,900 after ruling that the expiry of his probation period did not automatically bring his employment to an end.
According to CNA, the court dismissed Nanyang Law’s appeal against an Employment Claims Tribunal decision that awarded Ghui Meng Yang one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
In a judgment published on Monday, Court of Appeal Justice Sushil Nair said that whether employment automatically ends upon the expiry of a probation period depends on the wording and interpretation of the particular employment contract.
Ghui was hired by Nanyang Law in April 2023 as a supporting officer, with a three-month probation period ending on July 9.
Under his employment terms, either party could terminate the contract during the probation period by giving one month’s written notice without having to give a reason.
Two days before his probation ended, Nanyang Law issued Ghui a letter titled “Expiry of Your Probation Period”, informing him that it would not continue his employment beyond the probation period, with his last physical day set for July 7, 2023.
The law firm offered him a goodwill payment equivalent to seven days’ salary, which would have paid him until July 18.
Ghui, however, in a July 10 email contended that the law firm’s employment guidelines implied that employees in his position were entitled to one month’s notice or salary in lieu of notice.
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