SingaporeI was not given rest days. Is this a violation?
Yes, it is a violation if you are covered by the Employment Act and did not receive at least one rest day per week.
What the Law Says
The Employment Act sets out mandatory rest day entitlements for most employees in Singapore.
Under the Employment Act, every employee covered by the Act is entitled to at least one rest day every seven days. This means employers must provide a full 24-hour period of rest each week — not just a break or time off during the day.
The rest day does not have to fall on Sunday unless agreed upon between employer and employee. However, it must be granted weekly and cannot be substituted with cash payment unless specifically permitted under the Act and agreed in writing.
This requirement applies to all employees covered by the Employment Act — including full-time, part-time, and contract workers — except for managers and executives earning over S$5,000/month who are excluded from certain provisions (though rest day rights still apply to most).
Statutory TextEvery employee shall be entitled to at least one rest day in every period of seven days.
— Employment Act 1968, s. 36 — Rest days
What to Do
Check if you are covered by the Employment Act (most non-managerial employees are).
Review your employment contract and work schedule to confirm no rest day was given.
Raise the issue with your employer in writing, quoting section 36 of the Employment Act.
If unresolved, file a claim with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) or contact the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.