Employment Law in Hong Kong

What are the basic requirements for employers in Hong Kong?

Statutory Requirement:

• Compensation Insurance
• Salaries Tax Filing and Period
• Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Key Aspects of Employment Law in Hong Kong

• Employment Contracts: Employment contracts in Hong Kong must be provided in writing and include essential details such as job description, salary, probation period, and termination conditions. Contracts can be fixed-term, open-ended, or task-specific. Clear and comprehensive contracts help avoid disputes and ensure mutual understanding between employers and employees.
• Working Hours and Overtime: The standard working hours in Hong Kong are 40 hours per week, typically 8 hours per day over a 5-day workweek. There are no statutory limits on working hours, but overtime must be compensated according to company policies. Employers must keep accurate records of working hours to comply with labour laws.
• Social Insurance: Employers and employees contribute to social insurance schemes covering pensions, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance, and maternity insurance. Contributions and benefits are regulated by the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme.
• Termination and Severance: Employers must follow legal procedures for terminating employees. Termination can be based on mutual agreement, employee misconduct, or economic reasons. Employers are required to provide:
  • Notice Period: Generally, one month’s notice or one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
  • Severance Pay: Employees with at least two years of service are entitled to severance pay, calculated based on the last month’s wage and years of service.
• Retirement: There is no mandatory retirement age in Hong Kong. Common practice is 65 years.
• Work Visas: Foreign employees must obtain a work visa to be legally employed in Hong Kong. Employers are responsible for sponsoring work visas and ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.

Hong Kong Replaces “418 Rule” with “468 Rule”

Existing Standard Working Hours — Hong Kong

• Standard working hours: 40 hours per week
• Typical schedule: 8 hours per day, 5-day workweek
• No statutory limit on maximum weekly working hours
• Overtime must be compensated according to company policies.
• Employers must keep accurate records of working hours to comply with labour laws.

Hong Kong 468 Rules

• Effective from 18 Jan 2026
• Passed by LegCo on 18 Jun 2025
• Updates definition of “continuous contract” under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57).
• Aims to reflect evolving work patterns & protect part-time staff.

Key Changes:

• Weekly threshold lowered: from 18 to 17 hours/week
• New 4-week option (“468 Rule”)
• Employee is continuous if they work ≥68 hours in any 4 consecutive weeks, even if some weeks are below 17 hours.

Learn more in our blog.

Compliance and Best Practices

Employers must ensure compliance with all aspects of employment law to avoid disputes and potential lawsuits. Best practices include:

• Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of employment practices to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
• Clear Policies: Establish clear policies and procedures for hiring, termination, and other employment matters.
• Employee Training: Provide training to HR personnel and managers on labour law compliance and best practices.

Dispute Resolution

Employment disputes in Hong Kong can be resolved through:

• Mediation: An informal process to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
• Arbitration: A formal process where an arbitrator makes a binding decision.
• Legal Proceedings: Involves court intervention if mediation and arbitration fail.

Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of Hong Kong employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.

Updated on: September 2025