Paternity Leave Singapore: Your Guide to Eligibility and Benefits

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If you are a working father in Singapore, you may be eligible for paternity leave. Paternity leave is a benefit that allows fathers to take time off from work to care for their newborn child and support their spouse during the postpartum period. In Singapore, paternity leave is a government-mandated benefit that provides fathers with paid time off work.

A father cuddles his newborn on a sunny park bench, surrounded by blooming flowers and smiling families

To be eligible for paternity leave in Singapore, you must meet certain requirements. For example, your child must be a Singapore citizen, and you must be or have been lawfully married to the child’s mother between conception and birth. Additionally, you must have worked for your employer for a certain length of time before you can take paternity leave. Understanding the eligibility requirements and the process for taking paternity leave can help you plan for this important time in your family’s life.

If you are a father in Singapore, paternity leave can be an important benefit that allows you to support your family during a time of transition. By taking advantage of this benefit, you can bond with your newborn child, support your spouse during the postpartum period, and ensure that your family has the resources and support they need to thrive. Understanding the eligibility requirements and navigating the process for taking paternity leave can help you make the most of this important benefit.

Key Takeaways

Paternity leave is a government-mandated benefit in Singapore that provides fathers with paid time off work to care for their newborn child and support their spouse during the postpartum period.
To be eligible for paternity leave, you must meet certain requirements, such as having a Singapore citizen child and being married to the child’s mother between conception and birth.
Understanding the eligibility requirements and navigating the process for taking paternity leave can help you plan for this important time in your family’s life and ensure that you have the support you need.

Understanding Paternity Leave in Singapore

A man holding a newborn baby while his wife looks on, indicating the concept of paternity leave in Singapore

If you are a new father in Singapore, you may be wondering about your eligibility for paternity leave. In this section, we will help you understand the paternity leave entitlements for different father profiles, the eligibility criteria for paternity leave, and the Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) scheme.

Eligibility Criteria for Paternity Leave

To be eligible for paternity leave, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident (PR).
You must be lawfully married to the child’s mother.
You must have worked for your employer for at least 3 months before the birth of your child.
Your child must be a Singapore citizen.
You must have taken paternity leave within 16 weeks from your child’s birth.

Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) Scheme

Under the GPPL scheme, eligible working fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave. For children born on or after 1 January 2024, fathers can take up to 4 weeks of paternity leave, comprising 2 weeks of mandatory paternity leave and another 2 weeks of paternity leave on a voluntary basis.

During your paternity leave, you will receive Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) benefits, which are equivalent to your average daily earnings, subject to a cap of $2,500 per week. Your employer is required to pay your salary for the first week of your paternity leave, and the Government will reimburse your employer for the GPPL benefits.

Paternity Leave Entitlement for Different Father Profiles

The paternity leave entitlement for different father profiles is as follows:

Biological father: You are entitled to paternity leave if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Adoptive father: You are entitled to paternity leave if you have a Formal Intent to Adopt and the adoption order is granted within 16 weeks from the date of the child’s formal placement.
Shared parental leave: You can share your paternity leave entitlement with your spouse under the Shared Parental Leave scheme. This allows you and your spouse to take up to 4 weeks of shared parental leave, subject to the same eligibility criteria and GPPL benefits.

In conclusion, paternity leave is an important benefit for new fathers in Singapore, and the GPPL scheme provides financial support during your paternity leave. Make sure you understand your eligibility and entitlements, and communicate with your employer to plan your paternity leave accordingly.

Navigating Paternity Leave Benefits and Processes

A man fills out paperwork at a desk, surrounded by pamphlets and a computer screen displaying paternity leave information

As a working father in Singapore, you are entitled to Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) for all births if you meet certain requirements. Here’s what you need to know about navigating paternity leave benefits and processes.

Claiming Paternity Leave and Reimbursement Procedures

To claim paternity leave, you need to inform your employer at least one week before your intended start date, and provide them with the necessary documents such as your child’s birth certificate. You can take your paternity leave any time within 16 weeks from your child’s birth.

If you are eligible, you will receive reimbursement of up to $2,500 per week for the two weeks of paternity leave. The reimbursement will be made directly to your employer, who will then pay you. You do not need to apply for reimbursement yourself.

Additional Paternity Leave Options and Extensions

Starting January 1, 2024, eligible working fathers in Singapore will benefit from an enhanced GPPL scheme. Fathers can take up to four weeks of paternity leave within 12 months from their child’s birth or Formal Intent to Adopt (FIA) date.

In addition, eligible parents can also apply for an additional two weeks of unpaid infant care leave, which can be taken in blocks of one week, any time before their child turns two years old.

Support for Fathers and Families

The Singapore government recognises the importance of supporting working parents, and has implemented various measures to support families and caregiving arrangements. For instance, the National Population and Talent Division has set a target of increasing take-up rates for paternity leave to at least 80% by 2023.

Research has shown that paternity leave can have positive effects on the emotional development of children, and can also help to promote gender equality in caregiving roles. As such, paternity leave is mandatory for all working fathers in Singapore.

The Public Service Division also provides support for working parents, such as flexible work arrangements and infant care leave. If you have any questions about paternity leave or other family-related benefits, you can speak to your employer or contact the relevant government agencies for more information.

Overall, paternity leave is an important benefit for working fathers in Singapore, and can help to support families and promote gender equality in caregiving roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

A father holding a newborn baby while his colleagues ask questions about paternity leave in Singapore

How many days of paternity leave are fathers entitled to in Singapore?

As a father in Singapore, you are entitled to two weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) for all births. However, starting from January 1st, 2024, fathers of Singaporean children can take four weeks of government-paid paternity leave.

What are the eligibility requirements for paternity leave in Singapore?

To be eligible for GPPL, you need to meet the following requirements:

Your child is a Singapore citizen.
You are or had been lawfully married to the child’s mother between conception and birth.
You have served your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months before the child’s birth.

Are foreign fathers working in Singapore eligible for paternity leave?

Yes, foreign fathers who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to GPPL.

What is the duration of paid paternity leave provided to fathers in Singapore?

The duration of paid paternity leave provided to fathers in Singapore is two weeks, or four weeks for fathers of Singaporean children born on or after January 1st, 2024.

How can one calculate the amount of paternity leave they’re entitled to?

To calculate the amount of paternity leave you are entitled to, count 14 days from the date of your child’s birth. If your child is born on or after January 1st, 2024, count 28 days from the date of your child’s birth.

Has there been any recent changes to paternity leave entitlements in Singapore?

Yes, starting from January 1st, 2024, fathers of Singaporean children can take four weeks of government-paid paternity leave, up from the current two weeks.