Introduction
Annual leave is a paid time off from work that employees are entitled to each year. In Singapore, the Employment Act (EA) sets out the minimum amount of annual leave that employers must provide to their employees. For most employees, up to 2.33 working days of AL can be accrued each year, subject to a maximum of 10 days.
Calculating Your Annual Leave Entitlement
The amount of annual leave you are entitled to depends on the following factors:
- Your length of service: The longer you have been with your employer, the more annual leave you are entitled to.
- Your working days: The number of working days you work each week affects your annual leave entitlement.
Table 1: Annual Leave Entitlement Based on Length of Service and Working Days
| Length of Service | 5-Day Work Week | 6-Day Work Week |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 7 days | 9 days |
| 6 months to 1 year | 14 days | 18 days |
| 1 year to 2 years | 16 days | 21 days |
| 2 years to 3 years | 18 days | 24 days |
| 3 years to 5 years | 20 days | 27 days |
| 5 years and above | 22 days | 30 days |
Example
If you have been working with your employer for 3 years and you work a 5-day work week, you are entitled to 18 days of annual leave per year.
Taking Annual Leave
Once you have calculated your annual leave entitlement, you can start planning your time off. When taking annual leave, you should keep the following in mind:
- You must give your employer reasonable notice: The amount of notice you need to give will vary depending on your employer’s policy.
- Your employer can refuse your request for annual leave: Your employer can only refuse your request for annual leave if they have a good reason to do so.
- You can carry over your annual leave: You can carry over up to 10 days of annual leave to the following year.
Annual Leave Calculator
If you are not sure how to calculate your annual leave entitlement, you can use an annual leave calculator. There are many online calculators available, such as the one provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Conclusion
Annual leave is a valuable benefit that employees should take advantage of. By understanding how to calculate your annual leave entitlement and the rules around taking annual leave, you can ensure that you are getting the most out of your time off.
Additional Information
- The EA also sets out the minimum amount of annual leave that employers must provide to part-time employees and shift workers.
- Employees who are on maternity leave or paternity leave are entitled to take annual leave during their leave period.
- Employees who are terminated are entitled to be paid out for any unused annual leave.
FAQs
- How do I calculate my annual leave entitlement if I have been with my employer for less than 6 months?
- If you have been with your employer for less than 6 months, you are entitled to 7 days of annual leave per year if you work a 5-day work week, or 9 days of annual leave per year if you work a 6-day work week.
- Can I take annual leave on a public holiday?
- Yes, you can take annual leave on a public holiday. However, your employer may require you to work on a public holiday if it is necessary for the business.
- What happens if I do not take all of my annual leave?
- If you do not take all of your annual leave, you can carry over up to 10 days of annual leave to the following year.
Table 2: Annual Leave Entitlement for Part-Time Employees
| Number of Actual Working Days per Month | Annual Leave per Year |
|---|---|
| 1-14 days | 7 days |
| 15-29 days | 14 days |
| 30 days or more | 16 days |
Table 3: Annual Leave Entitlement for Shift Workers
| Number of Actual Working Days per Month | Annual Leave per Year |
|---|---|
| 1-14 days | 11 days |
| 15-29 days | 18 days |
| 30 days or more | 22 days |
Table 4: Annual Leave Payout Upon Termination
| Length of Service | Payment for Unused Annual Leave |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 months | Nil |
| 3 months to 1 year | 3 days |
| 1 year to 2 years | 6 days |
| 2 years to 3 years | 9 days |
| 3 years to 5 years | 12 days |
| 5 years and above | 15 days |
