Sick leave

Sick leave in Singapore is a statutory entitlement governed by the Employment Act. Employees who have completed at least three months of service with their employer are entitled to paid sick leave, with the amount varying based on length of service and the nature of the illness.

For employees who have served between three and six months, sick leave is provided on a pro-rated basis. Once an employee reaches six months of service, they become entitled to 14 days of paid outpatient sick leave per year and 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave per year. Outpatient sick leave covers medical treatment that does not require overnight hospital admission, while hospitalisation leave applies when an employee requires inpatient care.

The Employment Act, administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), establishes these minimum entitlements. Employers may offer more generous sick leave provisions, but cannot provide less than the statutory minimum. Employees must typically provide medical certification to support sick leave claims, particularly for absences exceeding two consecutive days or when the employer requests proof.

Payroll and human resources teams must track sick leave usage separately from other leave categories, as hospitalisation leave and outpatient leave have distinct annual limits. Employers should maintain clear records of service commencement dates to accurately calculate pro-rated entitlements for employees during their first six months. Failure to provide statutory sick leave can result in penalties under the Employment Act. Regular audits of leave policies ensure compliance with current MOM requirements and protect both employer and employee interests.