Absentee Payroll and everything you need to know about it

Published/Updated on:
May 9, 2020
Absentee Payroll (AP) funding is a grant to help employers defray the manpower costs incurred when they send their employees for certifiable skills training.

Employers are able to enjoy an absentee payroll of UP to $7.50/hr (80% of their employees hourly wage) when they send their employees for skills upgrading (training).

FAQS for enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) - Absentee Payroll

Here's how you can visualise your cost and savings:

1) Scenario:

Michael (Business Owner) wishes to send his full-time employee, Valerie, for TaF.tc's home-based learning Social Media Marketing 16-hour course during the circuit breaker. 

2) Course Fees Payable:

As an SME, the nett fees after the 90% subsidy for the above course to send his SG/PR employee will be: S$95.23.

3) Absentee Payroll Calculation:

A) Calculating Hourly Wage:

Valerie is being paid $2,000 a month and works a 44-hour work week, 176-hour per month. Valerie hourly wage is equates to ($2,000 ÷ 176 hours) = $11.36

Government subsidise absentee payroll of 80% of hourly wage equal ($11.36 x 80%)  = $9.09 (of up to $7.50/hr)

$7.50

=> If hourly wage is higher than $7.50, than the amount has to be calculated at $7.50. Otherwise, if it is lower, for example $5.23, it will be taken as that amount per hour. 

B)  Checking if the course training hours is within Valerie's working hours:

If Valerie works between 12pm - 8pm and the course is between 9am - 6pm for two days.

Training hours within working hours = 5 hours x 2 days = 10hrs

=> Michael is able to claim a total of $75 (10hrs x hourly wage of $7.50) for employee who is absent from work

Training hours outside of working hours = 3hours. x 2 days = 6hrs

=> Based on Michael's internal HR company policy, they are required to pay Valerie overtime of 6hrs x overtime rate x hourly rate. 

Regardless of whether the working hours are within or outside Valerie's working hour, the absentee payroll claim will go straight to the company. Michael will receive a total of $120 (16 hours of course X $7.50/hr of hourly wage)

If the company would like to justify training conducted outside employees working hours and not pay over time rate, they can submit their supporting documents (Flexi-work arrangement, circuit breaker change in working hours, etc), however, it will be subjected to SSG review and approval

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Company must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
  2. Company must fully sponsored employees course fees or supportable fees incurred on the training course;
  3. Trainees must be full-time or permanent part-time employees of the sponsoring company
  4. Trainees must continue to receive their salary when they attend training;
  5. Trainees must have achieved at least 75% attendance and attain a "competent" grade in order to be eligible for the absentee payroll claim
  6. Trainees must be paid overtime pay in accordance with the employer’s Human Resource (HR) policy (for training outside working hours).
    Drop us a call with one of our programme advisors to build a training plan for your company! 6011 8066
  7. Individuals with no connections to the PCP participating company: I.E. Shareholder, individual who are related to the owner (wife, brother)
  8. An existing employee who has worked for 3-months or less can be put on the programme if they fulfil the above criteria

How to apply?

All our WSQ courses at TaF.tc are supported under the Absentee Payroll funding. 

Step 1: Enrol into a course under corporate-sponsorship (employee or HR assisting)

1. Search for the desired course here:

2. Create a Corporate TaF.tc account here:

3. Login into your corporate account by following the e-mail instructions sent to you upon registering your corporate account.

4. On the side-menu, click on "My bookings" > "Create new bookings" button > search for desired course > input enrolee detailed > Submit >  Pay by Credit Card or Cheque (We always prefer card!) 

Step 2: Set-up your company profile and apply for your employee here.

FAQs:

1. As a sole proprietor / self-employed, can I claim as an owner?

Yes you can, it's owner's inclusive.

Arrange a call with us at 6011 8066 to speak with our programme advisors to build a training plan for your company!

Matthew Ong

Matthew is no longer working with TaF.tc, but was the Chief Revenue Officer at TaF.tc. He was responsible for all activities that generate revenue. As a CRO, he coordinated with marketing, sales and the customer success team to ensure that our prospects and students gain the most value and outcomes out of their time at TaF.tc. During his free time, he enjoys going for runs and solving problems on a rock wall.

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