Eligible working parents may enjoy additional six weeks of paid parental leave
The first phase of Singapore's Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme has begun taking effect this month, allowing eligible working parents to enjoy an additional six weeks of paid leave.
Under the first phase of SPL, working parents whose children are born on or after April 1, 2025, will be entitled to six weeks of paid leave, which can be shared between both parents.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said the new SPL scheme underscores the government's commitment to providing stronger caregiving support to parents during their child's infancy stage.
"The SPL also promotes shared parental responsibility and enables fathers to take an active role in caring for their children," the MSF said in a statement.
The SPL scheme, which was first announced at the 2024 National Day Rally, is rolled out in phases to give employers time to adjust their manpower and operational arrangements.
The second phase of the scheme will take effect on April 1, 2026, which will increase the six-week paid leave to 10.
"With these enhancements, eligible couples will be entitled to 30 weeks of paid parental leave in the child's first year," the MSF said. "Together with other ongoing marriage and parenthood measures, it reflects our collective effort to support Singaporeans in their parenthood journey, to build a Singapore Made For Families."
According to the MSF, the SPL should be consumed by parents within 12 months of the child's birth. It should also be used after the government-paid maternity leave or government-paid paternity leave has been fully consumed.
The SPL entitlement will be equally distributed between both parents, but the ministry noted that employers have the flexibility to decide on the SPL sharing arrangement.
"They can update their preferred SPL sharing arrangement when registering their child's birth on LifeSG," the MSF said. "Thereafter, they may make further changes up to four weeks from the child's birth via the 'Manage SPL sharing arrangement' service on LifeSG."
The MSF advised parents to inform their employers of their planned SPL arrangements "as soon as possible" when they are expecting a child.
"This will provide sufficient time for both parties to discuss and mutually agree on leave plans and make the necessary covering arrangements," the ministry said.
For employers, the MSF said they should verify their employees' SPL sharing arrangement through the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) portal after the four-week period.
"Employers and self-employed parents can submit their claims for reimbursement, no later than three months after the last day of the SPL taken, via the same portal," the ministry added.
Source: Singapore government
Should employees request a change in their sharing agreement, employers are advised to discuss it with them and reach a mutual agreement.
"If agreeable, provide written agreement to your employee," the government said. "Verify new sharing agreement on the GPL Portal after your employee submits the change."
