Tourlife Consultants Private Limited has been supporting Japanese entrepreneurs since 2009 with recruitment, executive search, payroll, HR support, work pass applications, and relocation services. With our bilingual expertise (Japanese, English, Chinese) and SME 500 Awards 2023 & 2024 recognition, we ensure that foreign businesses entering Singapore stay fully compliant with current 2026 MOM regulations while building strong teams.

Table of Contents

• Navigating Leave in 2026
• 1. Annual Leave Eligibility & Accrual
• 2. The 11 Public Holidays & Long Weekends
• 3. Holiday Pay & Substitution Rules
• 4. Updated Parental & Family Leave Policies
• How Tourlife Consultants Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating Leave in 2026

In Singapore, leave and holiday entitlements are strictly governed by the Employment Act. For foreign entrepreneurs, staying current is critical as MOM periodically updates thresholds—such as the 2026 increase in the CPF Ordinary Wage ceiling to SGD 8,000 and the expansion of parental leave. Here are the four key areas you must master to remain compliant.

Annual Leave Eligibility & Accrual

Employees are entitled to paid annual leave once they have completed 3 months of service.

• Statutory Minimum: Entitlement starts at 7 days for the 1st year and increases by 1 day per year, up to 14 days by the 8th year of service.
• Carry-Forward: For employees covered under Part 4 of the Employment Act (non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600), carrying forward unused statutory leave to the next 12 months is mandatory.

The 11 Public Holidays & Long Weekends

Singapore has 11 gazetted public holidays. In 2026, several holidays fall on Sundays, providing “holidays-in-lieu” on the following Mondays.

• Key 2026 Long Weekends: New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Chinese New Year (Feb 17-18), Vesak Day (May 31), National Day (Aug 9), and Deepavali (Nov 8) all create long weekend opportunities.
• Rest Day Rule: If a public holiday falls on a Rest Day (usually Sunday), the following working day is a paid holiday.
• Non-Working Day Rule: If it falls on a Non-Working Day (usually Saturday), the employer must give a day off in lieu or pay an extra day’s salary.

Holiday Pay & Substitution Rules

If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, the compensation depends on their role:

• General Rule: Employees should receive an extra day’s basic salary PLUS their gross rate of pay for that day.
• Substitution: Employers and employees can mutually agree to substitute a holiday for any other working day.
• Time-Off-In-Lieu (TOIL): This option is available for Managers, Executives, and higher-earning staff (Non-workmen > SGD 2,600/month). If there is no agreement on the duration, MOM guidelines suggest a full day off for more than 4 hours worked.

Updated Parental & Family Leave Policies

As of 2026, family-related leave has seen significant expansion to support a “Made for Families” society:

• Paternity Leave: Mandatory Government-Paid Paternity Leave is now 4 weeks for eligible fathers of Singaporean children born on or after April 1, 2025.
• Shared Parental Leave (SPL): Starting April 1, 2026, the SPL scheme increases to 10 weeks of shared leave (reimbursed by the government), allowing parents more flexibility in caregiving.
• Childcare Leave: Remains 6 days for parents of Singaporean children (< 7 years old) and 2 days for non-citizens.

How Tourlife Consultants Can Help

With the 2026 updates to CPF ceilings and parental leave, HR administration has become more complex. We simplify this for you:

• Recruitment & Executive Search – 85% success rate
• Work Pass Applications – Updated for 2026 EP salary thresholds
• Payroll Outsourcing – Fully compliant with 2026 CPF ceiling (SGD 8,000)
• HR Consulting – Implementing the 2026 Shared Parental Leave updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does the new 2026 CPF ceiling affect leave pay?
The CPF ceiling (raised to SGD 8,000) affects the contributions you make on salary, but statutory leave pay is still based on the employee’s gross rate of pay.

Q2. Can I refuse a “day off in lieu” if a holiday falls on a Saturday?
 If the holiday falls on a non-working day, you have the choice: either pay an extra day’s salary or provide a day off in lieu.

Q3. How does the 2026 Shared Parental Leave (SPL) work?
From April 1, 2026, parents can share 10 weeks of leave. This is government-paid and is designed to be taken within the first 12 months of the child’s birth.

Q4. What happens if an employee is on sick leave during a public holiday?
If an employee is on authorized medical leave on a public holiday, they are still entitled to the paid holiday. The employer should not “count” that day against their sick leave entitlement.

Q5. Is the 4-week paternity leave mandatory for employers?
Yes, for eligible employees whose children are Singapore citizens. This was increased to 4 weeks to better support fathers in the workplace.

Need help updating your 2026 employee handbook or payroll? Contact Tourlife Consultants today at enquiry@tourlife.sg or WhatsApp us directly at +65 9380 7956.