


This includes business closure, cessation of operations at the workplace, or a reduction in workforce demand.
If the contract was not renewed for redundancy-related reasons, and the employee did not unreasonably refuse a renewal offer, they may qualify.
Severance payment is an essential labor protection under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance, ensuring employees receive fair financial compensation when dismissed due to redundancy or specific circumstances. This aims to ease the financial burden of sudden job loss and assist employees in transitioning to new employment. Both employees and employers should fully understand severance payment regulations, including eligibility, conditions, and the legal definition of redundancy, to safeguard their rights.
Employment Period Requirement
To qualify for severance payment, an employee must have worked continuously under the same employer for at least 24 months . This requirement balances the rights of employees and the responsibilities of employers, ensuring only employees with a significant service history are eligible. A continuous contract means an uninterrupted employer-employee relationship in accordance with the specific criteria set out in the Employment Ordinance.
Eligibility Conditions
Apart from the minimum employment period requirement, employees must also meet one of the following conditions:
1. Dismissal due to redundancy
Employees are considered redundant if they are dismissed due to business closure, cessation of operations, or a reduction in workforce demand. For example, if a company closes certain departments or cuts jobs due to economic difficulties or market changes, affected employees may be eligible for severance payment.
2. Fixed-term contract not renewed due to redundancy
If an employee's fixed-term contract is not renewed due to redundancy reasons, and they did not unreasonably refuse a renewal offer, they qualify for severance payment. This situation is common for project-based or temporary contract employees.
3. Employment suspension (temporary layoff)
In some cases, employees may qualify for severance payment even if they were not officially dismissed but were left without work due to an employer's inability to provide it.
- Within any continuous 4-week period, the employee had no work and no pay for more than half of the normal working days.
- Within any continuous 26-week period, the employee had no work and no pay for more than one-third of the normal working days.
• Temporary business shutdown – The company temporarily stops operations and cannot provide work.
• Seasonal demand fluctuations – Some industries experience low demand during certain seasons, leading to long-term employee idleness.
• Financial difficulties – The employer cannot afford salaries or maintain normal work assignments.
Definition of Redundancy
Under the Employment Ordinance, redundancy occurs when an employer terminates an employee due to:
• Business closure or planned closure.
• Cessation of operations at the workplace or plans to do so.
• Reduction in workforce demand for a specific role or location.
For example, dismissal due to business restructuring or reduction in workforce demand.
If the employer chooses not to renew the contract upon expiry for business reasons, and the employee did not unreasonably refuse a renewal offer.
The employee must provide a medical certificate issued by a registered doctor or Chinese medicine practitioner.
Employees aged 65 or older who voluntarily resign.
In this case, the employee's family may apply to receive the long service payment as financial support.
LSP is a financial compensation scheme under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance designed to recognize employees' long-term contributions to a company. This payment not only acknowledges years of service but also serves as financial support to help employees and their families cope with economic pressure following termination of employment or special circumstances.
Employment Period Requirement
Eligibility Conditions
Apart from the minimum employment period requirement, employees must meet one of the following conditions to be eligible for LSP:
1. Dismissal not due to serious misconduct
If an employee is dismissed for non-misconduct-related reasons, such as business restructuring or workforce reduction, they qualify for LSP. This rule ensures financial protection for employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
2. Fixed-term contract not renewed
If an employee’s fixed-term contract expires and the employer decides not to renew it due to operational or business considerations—while the employee has not unreasonably refused any reasonable renewal offer—the employee is still eligible to apply for long service payment. This provision is commonly seen in project-based or temporary employment arrangements and serves to protect the basic rights of such employees upon the completion of their contract period.
Note: If the employer offers contract renewal in writing at least 7 days before expiry, and the employee refuses unreasonably, they lose their entitlement to LSP.
3. Resignation due to health reasons
Employees who resign due to health conditions must provide medical proof from a registered doctor or Chinese medicine practitioner. This provision supports employees who can no longer work due to medical conditions, ensuring they receive financial assistance.
4. Resignation at age 65 or above
Employees who resign voluntarily at age 65 or older are eligible for LSP. This provision supports senior employees in their transition to retirement, reducing financial pressure.
5. Death of the employee
If an employee passes away while employed, their family members may apply for LSP as financial support. This measure helps the family cope with financial difficulties due to the loss of the primary income earner.
Key Considerations
LSP highlights the value of long-term employment and ensures financial security for employees facing termination due to specific conditions. Employers must pay LSP within 7 days after employment termination, or they may face legal consequences.
Compensation Type
Severance Payment (SP)
Long Service Payment (LSP)
Employment Period
Eligibility Conditions
Employed under a continuous contract for at least 24 months
• Dismissal due to redundancy*
• Fixed-term contract not renewed due to redundancy reasons
• Employment suspension (temporary layoff)
Employed under a continuous contract for at least 5 years
• Dismissal, but not due to the following reasons: (1) Serious misconduct resulting in summary dismissal (2) Redundancy
• Fixed-term contract not renewed at the end of its term
• Death of the employee during employment • Resignation due to health reasons • Voluntary resignation at age 65 or above






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