Learn about maternity leave in 5 mins!

Expecting your first child or maybe thinking of starting a family? The last thing you want to worry about is how many days of maternity leave you are going to get. In this quick guide we will be covering everything you need to know about maternity leave so you can take care of your child in peace.

Summary

• Things to be considered
• Eligibility table
• Special considerations
• Other common questions

Things to be considered

Before applying for maternity leave, these are some questions that you should be considering in order to see if you are eligible or not.

1. Is your child a Singaporean?

Does it matter whether your child is a Singaporean or not? You might be worried especially if you are a foreigner working in Singapore. However, not to worry because as long as you have been working for your employer or have been self-employed for at least 3 months, you will still be entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave!

2. Are you legally married to the father of your child?

If you are a single mother, fret not because single mothers can get maternity leave too! To find out more about your eligibility, refer to the eligibility table below.

3. Have you worked for your employer or been self-employed for at least 3 months before the birth of your child?

Did you know that simply being employed by your current employer or being self-employed for at least 3 months entitles you to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave?

4. Have you given your employer at least a week's notice?

It is important to ensure that you give at least 1 week's notice before going on maternity leave because if you don't then you will only be entitled to half your pay. So remember to give notice! Unless you have a valid reason for not doing so.

Eligibility table

Special Considerations

Giving birth to twins

So you thought, double the kids double the benefit? That would be great if I say so myself but unfortunately that isn't the case. If you have given birth to twins, the length of your maternity leave will still be the same as it is counted as a single delivery.

Premature births

If you have given birth to your child prematurely, you will still be entitled to maternity leave if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Still born

If you have given birth to a stillborn or if your child has passed shortly after birth, you will still be entitled to the full length of your maternity leave based on you eligibility.

Abortion or miscarriage

You are allowed to take sick leave if you are still working. If not, there will be no maternity leave.

Falling sick while maternity leave

You will not get paid leave.

What is the GPML Declaration form?
The Government-Paid-Maternity-Leave (GPML) Declaration form is basically a checklist that the employee will fill out to determine how many weeks of paid maternity leave the employee is eligible for.
For the GPML declaration form click here.

Other common questions

Still have some questions? We got you covered! Continue on to read up on the commonly asked questions that maybe even you have not thought about.

1. Do fathers get paternity leave?

Don't worry dads you aren't forgotten! Paternal leave of up to 2 weeks can be taken as long as it is taken within a year of the child's birth. To be eligible for paternal leave, these are the criteria that need to be fulfilled.

• Your child is a Singaporean.
• You are legally married to the child's mother.
• Worked for your employer or have been self-employed for at least 3 months.


2. Can my employer fire me during maternity leave?

The answer is no. It is considered an offence to fire a woman who is on maternity leave.

3. What if I am asked to work while on maternity leave?

If you are pregnant and have been working for your employer for at least 3 months, you are entitled to maternity protection. Under this, your employer is not allowed to ask you to work for the first 4 weeks of your leave. If you work on any day in the remaining weeks, you are entitled to either that day's salary or another day off. This is in addition to your maternity pay.

4. How to apply for maternity leave?
• Notify your employer in advance.
• Submit the GPML Declaration form to your employer at least a week before.
• Apply for GPML according to your company's procedure.


5. Can both parents take leave at the same time?

Yes! Other than the 2 weeks of paternal leave, working fathers can apply to share up to 4 weeks of their wife's 16 weeks of maternity leave. This is provided the child is a Singaporean, you are legally married to the mother of the child and if the mother is eligible for Government-Paid-Maternity-Leave (GPML).

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