Quick answer
In Singapore, eligible employees covered by the Employment Act may be entitled to paid sick leave if they have worked for the employer for at least 3 months and are certified unfit for work by an approved doctor. The common full entitlement after 6 months of service is up to 14 days of paid outpatient sick leave and up to 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave per year, with the 60 days including the 14 days of outpatient sick leave.
What is sick leave in Singapore?
Sick leave is leave taken when an employee is medically unfit to work. In Singapore, paid sick leave is usually supported by a valid medical certificate, commonly called an MC. Sick leave helps employees recover without losing salary, provided they meet the eligibility conditions and follow company procedures.
Outpatient sick leave
Outpatient sick leave usually applies when you are unfit for work but not hospitalised. This is the common MC leave employees use after visiting a clinic or doctor.
Hospitalisation leave
Hospitalisation leave applies when hospital care, day surgery, quarantine or approved medical rest is involved, depending on the medical certificate and the situation.
Paid sick leave
Paid sick leave means the employee continues to receive salary for approved sick leave days, subject to eligibility, entitlement limits and company payroll practice.
Singapore sick leave entitlement
Paid sick leave entitlement depends on how long the employee has worked for the employer. The table below summarises the common entitlement pattern under Singapore employment rules for eligible employees.
| Length of Service | Paid Outpatient Sick Leave | Paid Hospitalisation Leave | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 3 months | Usually not entitled | Usually not entitled | Employer may still allow leave based on company policy, but statutory paid sick leave may not apply yet. |
| 3 months | Up to 5 days | Up to 15 days | Entitlement starts after the employee has worked for at least 3 months. |
| 4 months | Up to 8 days | Up to 30 days | The entitlement increases as service length increases. |
| 5 months | Up to 11 days | Up to 45 days | The employee has more paid sick leave entitlement but has not reached the full yearly amount yet. |
| 6 months or more | Up to 14 days | Up to 60 days | This is the common full yearly paid sick leave entitlement for eligible employees. |
Outpatient sick leave vs hospitalisation leave
Many employees confuse outpatient sick leave with hospitalisation leave. The main difference is the medical situation and how the leave is certified. Both may be paid if the employee is eligible and the medical certificate is accepted.
| Type of Sick Leave | Common Situation | Typical Evidence | Common Planning Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient sick leave | You visit a clinic or doctor and are given an MC without being hospitalised. | Medical certificate issued by an approved medical practitioner. | Usually capped at the outpatient sick leave entitlement for the year. |
| Hospitalisation leave | You are hospitalised, undergo day surgery or require hospital-related medical rest. | Hospitalisation leave certificate or medical certificate from the relevant doctor or hospital. | The yearly hospitalisation leave entitlement includes outpatient sick leave days. |
| Company medical leave | Your employer gives additional leave beyond the basic statutory entitlement. | Depends on company HR policy, employment contract or benefits handbook. | Some employers provide better benefits than the legal minimum. |
Who is eligible for paid sick leave?
To qualify for paid sick leave, an employee generally needs to meet several conditions. These conditions are important because having an MC alone may not automatically mean the employer must pay for the sick leave.
Worked at least 3 months
Paid sick leave entitlement generally starts after the employee has worked for the employer for at least 3 months.
Valid medical certificate
The employee should be certified unfit for work by an approved medical practitioner or dentist, depending on the situation.
Informed the employer
Employees should inform the employer as soon as possible and submit the MC according to company procedure.
Sick leave examples by length of service
These examples show how paid sick leave entitlement can change based on the employee’s length of service. The actual payroll outcome may depend on the employment contract, company policy and MOM rules.
| Example | Length of Service | MC Taken | Possible Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New employee | 2 months | 2 days outpatient MC | May not be entitled to statutory paid sick leave yet because service is below 3 months. |
| Employee after probation period | 3 months | 3 days outpatient MC | May fall within the 5 days outpatient sick leave entitlement if all conditions are met. |
| Regular employee | 6 months or more | 5 days outpatient MC | May be paid if the employee has remaining outpatient sick leave entitlement. |
| Hospitalisation case | 6 months or more | 20 days hospitalisation leave | May be paid under hospitalisation leave entitlement if properly certified and within the yearly limit. |
Does sick leave affect salary?
Paid sick leave should generally not reduce salary if the employee is eligible, has remaining entitlement and submits a valid medical certificate. However, unpaid sick leave, absence without valid MC or leave beyond entitlement may affect salary.
| Situation | Salary Impact | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Approved paid sick leave | Usually no salary deduction | The employee is paid for approved sick leave days within entitlement. |
| No valid MC | May be unpaid or treated as absence | The employer may require proper medical evidence before approving paid sick leave. |
| Sick leave beyond entitlement | May be unpaid | If the employee has used up paid sick leave, additional days may be unpaid or handled under company policy. |
| Company gives extra benefits | Depends on policy | Some employers provide more favourable benefits than the statutory minimum. |
Medical certificate requirements
A medical certificate is important because it supports the employee’s claim for paid sick leave. Employees should keep the MC, check whether the clinic or doctor is accepted, and submit it within the company’s required timeline.
Approved doctor or dentist
The MC should generally be issued by a recognised medical practitioner. Dental MCs may apply for dental-related conditions.
Submit the MC
Employees should submit the MC to HR or the employer as soon as possible, following the company’s HR process.
Keep leave records
Employees and employers should keep proper records of MC dates, leave type and remaining entitlement.
Common sick leave planning situations
Sick leave can affect payroll, attendance, probation, resignations and performance discussions. These are common situations employees and employers often need to understand clearly.
Sick leave during probation
Sick leave entitlement is usually based on length of service, not simply whether probation has ended. Employees below 3 months may not have statutory paid sick leave entitlement yet.
Sick leave during notice period
Employees may still be able to take approved sick leave during notice period if they meet the conditions and provide a valid MC.
MC after annual leave
If you fall sick around annual leave dates, treatment depends on the timing, MC, company procedure and whether the employer approves changes.
Employee and employer responsibilities
Sick leave works best when both sides keep clear records. Employees should notify the employer and submit the MC, while employers should apply the rules consistently and keep proper payroll and leave records.
| Party | Responsibility | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Employee | Inform the employer as soon as possible. | This helps the employer manage attendance, manpower and payroll records. |
| Employee | Submit a valid medical certificate. | The MC supports the sick leave claim and helps avoid salary disputes. |
| Employer | Track sick leave entitlement and usage. | Proper records reduce mistakes in payroll and leave balance calculations. |
| Employer | Apply policy consistently. | Consistent treatment helps avoid misunderstandings and employment disputes. |
Want to estimate salary after leave deductions?
Use our salary tools to estimate monthly take-home pay after CPF, income tax and common salary adjustments.
Why trust this sick leave guide?
SG Salary Tools is designed to explain Singapore employment, CPF and salary planning in simple language for employees, job seekers and small business owners. This guide is not legal advice, but it helps you understand the main concepts before checking official MOM resources.
Simple examples
Sick leave entitlement is easier to understand when you can compare 3 months, 4 months, 5 months and 6 months of service.
Built for Singapore
The guide focuses specifically on Singapore paid sick leave, MC leave, hospitalisation leave and MOM-style employment planning.
Linked to salary tools
You can move from guide to calculator directly when you want to estimate salary, CPF and take-home pay.
Related Singapore calculators
Use these calculators to estimate CPF, salary after CPF and take-home pay.
Related Singapore salary guides
Learn more about Singapore leave, salary, CPF and employment rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days of paid sick leave are employees entitled to in Singapore?
Eligible employees who have worked for the employer for at least 6 months are commonly entitled to up to 14 days of paid outpatient sick leave and up to 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave per year. The 60 days generally includes the 14 days of outpatient sick leave.
When does paid sick leave entitlement start?
Paid sick leave entitlement generally starts after the employee has worked for the employer for at least 3 months, provided the other conditions are also met.
Is outpatient sick leave the same as hospitalisation leave?
No. Outpatient sick leave usually applies when you are unfit for work but not hospitalised. Hospitalisation leave applies to hospital-related medical situations and generally has a higher yearly limit.
Does the 60 days of hospitalisation leave include outpatient sick leave?
Yes, the 60 days of paid hospitalisation leave generally includes the paid outpatient sick leave entitlement. For example, if the full entitlement is 60 days hospitalisation leave, this includes the 14 days outpatient sick leave.
Do I need an MC to take paid sick leave?
Yes, paid sick leave is generally supported by a valid medical certificate from an approved doctor or dentist. Employers may require employees to submit the MC according to company procedure.
Can my employer reject my sick leave?
An employer may question or reject sick leave if the employee does not meet the eligibility conditions, does not provide a valid MC, has used up entitlement or fails to follow reasonable notification procedures. For disputes, check MOM guidance.
Is sick leave paid during probation?
Sick leave during probation depends mainly on length of service and eligibility. If an employee has worked for less than 3 months, statutory paid sick leave may not apply yet, even if the employee is still on probation.
Can I take sick leave during notice period?
Employees may still take approved sick leave during notice period if they are medically certified unfit for work and meet the sick leave conditions. Company procedures should still be followed.
Will sick leave reduce my salary?
Approved paid sick leave within entitlement should generally not reduce salary. Salary may be affected if the sick leave is unpaid, unsupported by a valid MC or beyond the employee’s remaining paid entitlement.
What happens if I use more sick leave than my entitlement?
Additional sick leave beyond paid entitlement may be treated as unpaid leave or handled based on company policy, employment contract or employer approval.
Are foreign employees entitled to sick leave in Singapore?
Foreign employees may be covered by Singapore employment rules if they fall within the relevant Employment Act coverage and meet the paid sick leave conditions. Always check the employee’s contract and MOM rules for the exact situation.
Is this sick leave guide official?
No. SG Salary Tools provides general employment and salary planning information only. For official rules, entitlement tables and special cases, always check the Ministry of Manpower directly.