Employment
“All lawyers that I’ve worked with at Rajah & Tann have been exceptional. The team always respond to my emails promptly and remain communicative if there are any issues that will take time.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026)
Employment Viewpoints →
Read about the latest legal and regulatory developments in Asia
Employment Experience →
Read more about our matters
Employment Team →
Meet our regional team of experienced lawyers
With the proliferation of business interests in Asia and the continued growth of an international workforce, many companies are increasingly confronted with both challenges and opportunities presented by the diverse legal landscape across the ASEAN countries. Navigating the intricate web of employment laws and policies across the region requires a nuanced understanding of each jurisdiction’s unique requirements, as well as the ability to coordinate and manage these variances effectively. This legal diversity not only poses complex compliance challenges but also offers opportunities for businesses to tailor their employment strategies to leverage local advantages and foster innovative workplace solutions that can drive growth and competitiveness in the dynamic ASEAN market.
The Regional Employment Practice Group brings together a team of highly experienced and widely respected lawyers from each of our offices across the region. With deep expertise and unparalleled regional insight, our team is uniquely positioned to provide seamless support on a comprehensive range of both contentious and non-contentious employment matters throughout the various countries within our network.
Our lawyers possess extensive experience in advising multinational corporations and individuals alike on complex cross-border employment policies, designing innovative compensation plans, and representing clients in high-stakes employment disputes – whether in arbitration, in the courtroom or at mediations. Our lawyers’ in-depth understanding of local laws, combined with a strategic regional perspective, ensures that clients receive practical, effective, and forward-thinking solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Featured insights
Rajah & Tann Singapore Contributes Singapore Chapter of International Employment Lawyer's Guide to Workplace Investigations
The Guide to Workplace Investigations examines key issue that organisations need to consider when they initiate, conduct and conclude investigations in the 23 jurisdictions covered by the guide
Featured insights
Rajah & Tann Asia Regional Employment Law Review 2025
This review looks back at the major developments in employment law in 2025 in selected regional jurisdictions, and looks ahead to expected trends of 2026.
Employment Legal Services
Our integrated, full spectrum Asian-focused regional employment law practice empowers clients with an unrivalled and unique edge, delivering innovative and strategic solutions tailored to their specific needs. We advise on all aspects of employment law, from non-contentious drafting, structuring, and proactive guidance, to robust representation and negotiations in contentious employment matters. Leveraging our deep expertise and forward-thinking approach, we are at the forefront of complex and high-profile employment cases, involving senior executives, whistleblowers, trade unions, and regulators, ensuring our clients receive practical, effective, and future-ready legal strategies.
Hiring & Recruitment
- Immigration
- Hiring and onboarding strategies
- Equity and inclusion
- ESG
Employee Management
- Union engagement
- Incentives and benefits
- HR policies and compliance
- Whistleblowing, grievance reporting, harassment, and discrimination
- Regulatory investigations and prosecutions
- Workplace investigations and disciplinary processes
- Data privacy and protection
- Workplace health and safety
- Workplace fairness
- Performance improvement plans and employee engagement
- Workplace and employment law training and education
- Contractors, part-time employees, and platform workers
- Global mobility
- Workforce planning
- Employment and immigration aspects of corporate transactions and restructurings
- Contentious issues including:
- Breaches of non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions, and confidentiality
- Stocks, options and compensation
- Employee misconduct and breaches of fiduciary duties
- Defending against claims and/or investigations by government or unions
Exits
- Pensions
- Retirement and Re-employment
- Resignations, terminations, and separations
- Restructuring, business reorganisations, and retrenchments
- Post-employment issues – disputes, references etc.
Regional Expertise in Asia Pacific
We have one of the largest and most highly acclaimed regional employment teams in Asia, renowned for our leadership and expertise in the field. Our team comprises top-tier specialists across 10 countries, consistently recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to employment law.
Our regional team consists of resident experts based in their home countries who are not only well versed in local employment laws and possess extensive on-the-ground experience, but are also deeply attuned to local culture and business practices. Our exceptional reputation is built on our ability to deliver innovative, practical solutions and to anticipate industry trends. Because of our presence in virtually every country in Asia, we deliver truly seamless, integrated, and comprehensive support to multinational clients. Whether our clients have operations in a single jurisdiction or across multiple countries, we coordinate closely to ensure consistent, high-quality service and tailored solutions that address both local requirements and cross-border challenges. This regional reach and collaborative approach empower us to provide unparalleled value and peace of mind to clients wherever they are situated in Asia.
The team has been described as “having a good sense of industry developments” and “being diligent, very professional, and going the extra mile” for the clients.
International Connection
Our Singapore and Thailand offices are member firms of lus Laboris, which is consistently recognised as the leading legal service provider in employment, immigration, and pensions law with a worldwide coverage of over 50 countries and over 1,500 lawyers.
Jonathan Yuen, our Singapore Head of Employment was also appointed in 2022 to the global editorial board of International Employment Lawyer, as the sole Singapore representative, joining the ranks of top ranked global employment lawyers.
Landmark Employment Cases Across the Region
Related Links
Recognition
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Asia Pacific Law Firm of the YearIEL Awards (2023, 2025)
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National EliteIEL Elite (2026)
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5-Star Rating – Employment LawThe Straits Times Singapore’s Best Law Firms (2026)
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Bands 1 & 2 - Employment (Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam)Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026)
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Tiers 1 & 2 - Labour & Employment (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026)
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Tiers 1 & 2 - Labour & Employment (Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific (2026)
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Tier 2 - Labour & Employment (including Immigration) (Philippines)The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026)
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Outstanding - Labour & Employment (Indonesia, Singapore)Asialaw (2025)
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Highly Recommended - Labour & Employment (Philippines, Vietnam)Asialaw (2025)
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Recommended - Labour & Employment (Malaysia, Thailand)Asialaw (2025)
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Ranked - Employment & Industrial Relations (Malaysia)Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026)
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Ranked - Employment (Philippines, Thailand)Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026)
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Ranked - Labour and Employment (Malaysia, Vietnam)Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific (2025)
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"The lawyers at Assegaf Hamzah are well experienced and the partners are highly involved with details when managing work."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026) (Indonesia)
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"The team is consistently prompt in its responses, and its advice is concise."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026) (Philippines)
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"Christopher & Lee Ong's team members are very experienced, conscientious and responsible, and handle problems well."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026) (Malaysia)
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"Rajah & Tann are responsive and have a broad range of expertise coupled with significant depth. The team turned advice around quickly and provided clear expectations and status updates at all stages."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026) (Singapore)
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"They are very prompt in responding and provide a high-quality work product. They have a deep understanding of our business and industry."Chambers Asia-Pacific (2026) (Thailand)
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"R&T has provided sound legal advice for our company. The team's knowledge in keeping up with the latest law has provided us with several options that are better suited for our needs."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Vietnam)
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"The team provides very commercial, practical advice and has in-depth knowledge of labour law."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Philippines)
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"They work effectively as a team. They understand each other's roles and responsibilities, are punctual, and adhere to plans well."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Thailand)
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"This practice has provided prompt and concise advice for fluid and dynamic situations. The team drafted useful and practical narratives and scripts for correspondence with stakeholders who may raise an employment claim against the company."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Singapore)
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"Sound knowledge of Malaysian law, trusted advisors for Australian-based companies."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Malaysia)
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"This is a very responsive and efficient team, which is a pleasure to work with. They understand the needs of clients with Indonesian employment matters and can propose solutions which are cost-effective and practical."The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2026) (Indonesia)
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"The lawyers at Assegaf Hamzah are well experienced and the partners are highly involved with details when managing work."Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 (Indonesia)
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"Christopher & Lee Ong's team members are very experienced, conscientious and responsible, and handle problems well."Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 (Malaysia)
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"The team is consistently prompt in its responses, and its advice is concise."Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 (Philippines)
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All lawyers that I've worked with at Rajah & Tann have been exceptional. The team always respond to my emails promptly and remain communicative if there are any issues that will take time.Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 (Singapore)
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"Rajah & Tann are responsive and have a broad range of expertise coupled with significant depth. The team turned advice around quickly and provided clear expectations and status updates at all stages."Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 (Singapore)
All lawyers that I've worked with at Rajah & Tann have been exceptional. The team always respond to my emails promptly and remain communicative if there are any issues that will take time."
Our Employment Team
Consultant, Christopher & Lee Ong
