Planning to Resign After Your Bonus? What to Check Before Singapore's January Job Rush

The plan sounds simple: wait for the bonus, then resign. In practice, the right timing depends on three dates that are different for everyone: when your bonus or AWS is actually paid, how long your notice period is, and when a new employer needs you to start. Get one of them wrong and you could lose a payment, overlap two jobs, or face a gap you did not plan for.

In short: Before resigning after a bonus in Singapore, check your employment contract and bonus policy for any conditions on payment, confirm your notice period, decide how you will handle annual leave, and work backwards from a realistic start date. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), whether you receive AWS when you leave depends on your contract or collective agreement, notice periods follow your contract, and notice must be given in writing. In a selective market, securing a written offer before resigning is usually the safer approach.

Key numbers for professionals planning a move 71.8% of Singapore employees were in some form of job search activity, from browsing to applying (Reeracoen x Rakuten Insight, Beyond the Paycheque 2026, n=337). 63% of Singapore hiring managers held some reservations about candidates who had been unemployed for more than three months (Reeracoen x Rakuten Insight, Hiring Managers Unfiltered 2025/2026, n=375). 48.7% of firms planned to hire in the three months after July 2026 (MOM). Job vacancies eased to 68,600 in June 2026, from 73,300 in March, but still outnumbered unemployed persons (MOM).

 

Check 1: Your Bonus and AWS Terms

Do not assume a bonus or AWS will be paid just because you have worked most of the year. MOM states that bonus payments and AWS are not compulsory unless specified in the employment contract or collective agreement. MOM also notes that whether you receive AWS depends on your contract or collective agreement, and that this also applies if you leave around the time the AWS is paid. (For the difference between AWS and a variable bonus, see our explainer.)

Before you decide on a resignation date, look for answers to these questions in your contract, bonus policy or employee handbook:

• When exactly is it paid? Note the actual payment date, not the month it is usually announced.
• Are there eligibility conditions? Some contracts or bonus policies may require you to still be employed, or not to be serving notice, on the payment date. Check whether yours does.
• Is it pro-rated? If you leave part-way through a bonus year, check whether any amount is payable.
• Is it contractual or discretionary? A discretionary bonus may depend on decisions made close to the payment date.

If the wording is unclear, ask HR for clarification in writing before you resign, framed as a general question about the bonus policy.

Check 2: Your Notice Period

According to MOM, if your contract specifies a notice period, you must either serve that notice when you resign or pay salary in lieu of notice. The notice period must be the same for both employer and employee, and notice can be waived by mutual consent. MOM also states that any notice of termination, by either party, must be in writing.

If your contract does not specify a notice period, MOM sets out the following based on length of service:

Length of service	Notice period
Less than 26 weeks	1 day
26 weeks to less than 2 years	1 week
2 years to less than 5 years	2 weeks
5 years or more	4 weeks

 

Source: MOM, Termination with notice. These periods apply only where the contract is silent; many professional contracts state their own notice period, which can be longer.

MOM notes that the notice period includes the day on which notice is given, as well as rest days and public holidays.

Check 3: Annual Leave and Your Last Day

Leave can change your last working day, but how it works depends on what you and your employer agree. MOM distinguishes between two situations:

	Offsetting notice with leave	Taking leave during notice
Needs employer agreement?	Yes	Yes, the leave must be approved
Effect on last day	Last day is brought forward	Last day stays at the end of the notice period
Pay	Paid only up to your last day of work; leave used to offset is not paid	Paid for the full notice period
Starting a new job	You can start work with your new company after your last day	Check your contract on whether you can start a new job while serving notice

 

Source: MOM, Termination with notice. MOM also states that if your employment ends for reasons other than misconduct, your employer must pay you for unused annual leave at the gross rate of pay based on your last drawn salary.

Check 4: Work Backwards From a Realistic Start Date

Once you know your bonus date, notice period and leave position, map them against the hiring process. A simple timeline helps:

Step	What to confirm
1. Bonus or AWS payment date	From your contract or bonus policy, including any conditions
2. Earliest resignation date	The first date you can resign without affecting eligibility
3. Notice period	From your contract, or MOM's default if the contract is silent
4. Leave offset (if agreed)	How many days, and the resulting last day
5. New start date	Agreed in writing with your new employer

 

Because you will need to serve notice, there will normally be a gap between accepting an offer and starting a new role. Telling a prospective employer your notice period early, and being honest about any bonus timing you want to protect, makes it easier to agree a realistic start date.

Should You Resign Before You Have an Offer?

It can be tempting to resign as soon as the bonus arrives and then start searching. In the current market, that carries risk. MOM reported that job vacancies eased in the second quarter of 2026, and in Reeracoen's survey of Singapore hiring managers, 63% held some reservations about candidates who had been unemployed for more than three months, either viewing them as less competitive (29.7%) or expecting a stronger explanation (33.2%).

Based on Reeracoen's observations, the smoother route for many professionals is to search, interview and secure a written offer while still employed, and to time the resignation around both the bonus date and the agreed start date. Starting conversations with employers or recruiters before you resign gives you more control over how these dates line up.

Common Timing Mistakes to Avoid

• Resigning before the bonus is credited when the policy requires you to be employed or not serving notice on the payment date.
• Resigning verbally. MOM states notice must be given in writing.
• Assuming leave will shorten your notice. Offsetting notice with leave needs your employer's agreement.
• Accepting an offer without a confirmed start date that fits your notice period.
• Announcing your plans too early. Keep your intentions private until your written offer and resignation are in place.

Plan Your Next Move With Reeracoen Singapore

For professionals: Planning a move in the new year? Register with Reeracoen Singapore and speak with a specialist consultant about roles, timing and start dates that work around your notice period.

For employers: Expecting resignations or new hiring needs in early 2027? Speak with Reeracoen Singapore's recruitment team about planning ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I resign before or after my bonus is paid in Singapore?

It depends on your contract and bonus policy. Check the exact payment date and any conditions, such as needing to be employed or not serving notice on that date. If such conditions apply, resigning before the payment may affect your eligibility.

Will I still get my bonus or AWS if I resign?

According to MOM, AWS and bonuses are not compulsory unless specified in your employment contract or collective agreement, and whether you receive AWS when you leave depends on those terms. Check your contract and bonus policy before deciding when to resign.

What is the notice period in Singapore if my contract does not state one?

MOM sets out notice periods based on length of service: 1 day for less than 26 weeks, 1 week for 26 weeks to less than 2 years, 2 weeks for 2 years to less than 5 years, and 4 weeks for 5 years or more.

Can I use annual leave to shorten my notice period in Singapore?

Yes, if your employer agrees. MOM explains that you can use annual leave to offset your notice period, which brings your last day forward. You are paid only up to your last day of work, and the leave used to offset notice is not paid.

Can I start a new job while serving my notice period?

MOM advises checking your employment contract to see if you are allowed to start a new job while serving notice. If you offset your notice with leave by agreement, you can start with your new company after your last day.

Related Articles

• AWS, 13th-Month Bonus and Variable Bonus in Singapore: What Is the Difference?
• Why Is It Taking Longer to Get Hired in Singapore? What Jobseekers Should Do Differently in Q4 2026
• Singapore Has 68,600 Job Vacancies. So Why Is It Taking Longer to Find a Job?

About the Author

Valerie Ong

Regional Head of Marketing, Reeracoen Group

Valerie leads content and market insights for Reeracoen across Asia. She works closely with Reeracoen's specialist recruitment consultants to translate hiring data, salary benchmarks and labour market trends into practical guidance for Singapore's employers and professionals. Her work draws on Reeracoen's proprietary research including the annual Salary Guide, Hiring Pulse, and Hiring Manager Survey.

Language note: This article is published in English. Reeracoen Singapore also publishes selected content in Chinese and Japanese for our bilingual and Japanese-speaking professional community.

References

1. Ministry of Manpower. Termination with notice. https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/termination-of-employment/termination-with-notice
2. Ministry of Manpower. Variable wage components. https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/salary/variable-wage-components
3. Ministry of Manpower. FAQ: If I've worked for a company for less than 12 months, am I entitled to an AWS, or 13th month bonus?https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/salary/if-i-ve-worked-for-a-company-for-less-than-12-months-am-i-entitled-to-an-aws-or-13th-month-bonus
4. Ministry of Manpower. Labour Market Report, Second Quarter 2026 (21 September 2026). https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0921-labour-market-report---second-quarter-2026
5. Reeracoen x Rakuten Insight. Beyond the Paycheque: Singapore Employee Sentiment Study 2026 (n=337; fieldwork October to December 2025).
6. Reeracoen x Rakuten Insight. Hiring Managers Unfiltered: How Singapore Employers View Unemployment, Skills and Talent in 2025/2026 (n=375).

 

 

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Your rights and obligations depend on your employment contract, company policies and, where applicable, the Employment Act. For questions about your situation, refer to MOM or seek professional advice. Official guidance and statistics are correct as of the dates cited.