Is my employer required to provide medical leave?

What the Law Says

The Employment Act sets out mandatory medical leave entitlements for eligible employees in Singapore.

Under the Employment Act, employees who have worked for their employer for at least 3 months are entitled to paid sick leave and hospitalisation leave. This applies to most employees — including full-time, part-time, and contract workers — except for domestic workers, seafarers, and public servants.

Sick leave is for outpatient treatment (e.g., doctor visits, rest at home), while hospitalisation leave covers time spent admitted in a hospital or nursing home. Both types of leave are paid and cannot be substituted with unpaid leave or annual leave unless agreed in writing.

To qualify, you must produce a valid medical certificate (MC) from a registered medical practitioner. Your employer may require the MC within a reasonable time — usually within 48 hours of returning to work.

Statutory Text

Every employee who has been employed by his employer for not less than 3 months shall be entitled to such number of days' sick leave and hospitalisation leave as may be prescribed by regulations made under this Act.

— Employment Act 1968, s. 89 — Entitlement to sick leave and hospitalisation leave

What to Do

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