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Around your Job:
Expat Information on working in Singapore
Business Clothes
Bring lightweight clothes of natural fibers such as cotton and viscose. Men wear dark trousers (blue, gray)with long or short sleeved shirts and tie. Bring a jacket for the mostly air-conditioned offices and hotels.
Generally no jackets or suits necessary unless formally invited. Women need to dress in a modest and conservative fashion when meeting with Indians or Muslims and should cover their back, knees and upper arms.
Photo: Microsoft Office
Revealing dresses and plunging necklines as well as short skirts are not suitable. Dress conservatively, smart and elegant. Stockings are required in some office environments and when invited for an interview.
See also e-relocation Singapore "Partner Career Concerns" for more info on business women in Asia.
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Business EtiquetteWe strongly advise to take up a course on this matter. This is time and money well spent, as you may not yet realize the many possibilities of making mistakes in a completely different business environment. Doing business in Asia is a challenge for any expatriate and many deals were not done due to misperceptions and misunderstandings.
Further important information on Cultural Do's & Don'ts is provided ine-relocation Singaporeand available for you at no further cost once you or your employer have appointed Knight Frank to search a home for you in Singapore. 
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Career Coaching
We suggest you attend a business culture seminar and a seminar to help you write your CV according to local conceptions. If you are not sure which direction to take link with a career coach to assess and explore by yourself, set a goal, get actual support with the job application process and a good preparation for job interviews with Asian female and male prospective bosses. Cost start from S$ 300 for resume coaching services to S$ 2,000 for senior executive level career coaching.
See also Maternity Laws Singapore
Note: Expect salaries to be lower than in your home country.
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Maternity Laws and Profamily Incentives As motherhood is not very popular in Singapore and the number of births has been constantly decreasing during the last year, the Government has improved pro family measures. The current pro-family incentives important for foreign female employees are:
Parenthood Tax Rebate
From the assessment year 2005 onwards female employees get special tax rebates for children which can be offset against her or her husband's taxes for nine years. The rate is 5% for the first child, 15% for the 2nd child, 20% for the 3rd child and 25% for the 4th child. See web site below for more info.
Baby and Child Care
There are currently 24 infant-care centers with 300 places for children from 18 months to 2 years. It is planned to extend the number to 3,000 infant care places within the next 5 years. There is also a matchmaker service for nannies under the Family Day Care Services Scheme.
See Education
Maternity Leave
Under the Employment Act mothers in parenting are entitled to 12 weeks Maternity Leave paid leave. The first 8 weeks are employer-paid while the additional 4 weeks will be funded by the Government if the child is a Singpoare citizen. Employers should pay the normal salary for the duration of the maternity leave and claim reimbursement from the Government. Although the Employment Act does not cover civil servants, statutory board employees, managerial, executive or confidential staff, company policy usually provides all female staff in the company with the same maternity benefits.
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Statutory Childcare Leave
If you have a child below 7 years of age and have been employed for at least 3 months you qualify for childcare leave when eachparent can take 2 days childcare leave per year for each child below 7 years. Managers, executives and confidential staff are excluded.
Baby Boom Scheme
The Government introduced new benefits to boost the birth rate of Singapore. Check if you can benefit:
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