June 2025 Singapore HR News: Work Pass Misuse Cases, After-Hours Guidelines & Hiring Challenges
Posted on 30 June 2025 in Business | Suki Bajaj
This June, we delve into the most pressing HR news and developments, including recent cases of work pass misuse, initiative guidelines for after-hours work, the growing issue of 'ghost' job advertisements, and the latest HR insights and trends shaping today's workforce.
In this guide, we’ll talk about:
Work Pass Misuse for Foreign Students Plagues System for Years
No Blanket Ban: Employers Group Pushes for Sector-Specific After-Hours Work Contact Rules
"Ghost Job Ads" Increasingly Common in Hiring
Private Companies Urged to Stop Using NRIC Numbers for Passwords and Authentication
Leaders Struggle to Adapt in Distributed Work Environments
Work Pass Misuse for Foreign Students Plagues System for Years
Errant employers and agents have for years attempted to illegally use the Training Employment Pass (TEP) to bring in foreign workers for rank-and-file jobs.
Unlike work permits or S Passes, the TEP has no levy or quota, making it attractive for such misuse.
Read OnNo Blanket Ban: Employers Group Pushes for Sector-Specific After-Hours Work Contact Rules
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) supports developing sector-specific guidelines for after-hours communication rather than a blanket policy.
A universal ban on after-hours contact would hinder operational flexibility, especially for industries with global clients or 24/7 operations, and could negatively impact client relationships and real-time coordination.
Read On"Ghost Job Ads" Increasingly Common in Hiring
Nearly half of HR professionals admit that they regularly post ghost job postings - which are job ads for positions that aren't actually open or don't exist.
Companies do this for various reasons, such as gauging market interest and skill availability or simply forgetting to remove outdated listings. This practice raises concerns about transparency and fairness in the hiring process.
Read OnPrivate Companies Urged to Stop Using NRIC Numbers for Passwords and Authentication
The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) issued a formal advisory guiding companies from the private sector to stop using National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) numbers to authenticate individuals or as passwords.
This measure aims to mitigate risks of impersonation and data breaches and ensure strong data security policies within the organisation.
Read OnLeaders Struggle to Adapt in Distributed Work Environments
A recent report reveals that over half of global leaders feel ineffective at managing teams in a distributed work environment, where employees are not all in one physical office.
Only 35% consider themselves effective, prompting HR leaders to rethink how they support those in charge.
Read On