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Singapore Public Holiday in Lieu Guide: Rules, Payment & Entitlements (2024)

Singapore Public Holiday in Lieu Guide: Rules, Payment & Entitlements (2024)

A comprehensive guide explaining Singapore's public holiday in lieu system, including entitlements, calculations, rules for weekend holidays, and how it affects full-time and part-time employees.
Written By
Siyu Chen
HR Editor at Gutsy

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Public Holidays in Lieu in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide

Singapore boasts a vibrant calendar of public holidays, offering its citizens and residents time for rest and celebration. However, the intricacies of public holidays falling on weekends or requiring work can be confusing. This guide clarifies the rules and regulations surrounding public holidays in lieu in Singapore.

What is a Public Holiday in Lieu?

A "public holiday in lieu" (also known as "leave-in-lieu of a public holiday") is a compensatory day off or extra pay given to employees when a public holiday falls on a non-working day (like a weekend) or when they are required to work on a public holiday. This ensures that employees receive the benefits intended by the public holiday, regardless of the day it falls on. Employees covered under Part IV of the Employment Act are entitled to 11 paid public holidays. If a public holiday falls on a non-working day, they are entitled to another day off or extra pay.

Entitlement and Working on Public Holidays

  • If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to an extra day's pay on top of their regular salary.
    If an employee works on a public holiday in Singapore, they are generally entitled to an extra day's pay, but the specifics depend on several factors. If the holiday falls on a working day, the employee earns an extra day's salary at the basic rate plus their gross salary for the day, including overtime if applicable. If it falls on a non-working day, they either receive an extra day’s salary at the gross rate or a day off in lieu. If the holiday is on a rest day, they get payment for work done, overtime pay if applicable, and the next working day becomes a paid holiday. For those not covered under Part IV of the Employment Act, compensation can be time off in lieu by mutual agreement.
    Alternatively, a day off in lieu can be granted by mutual agreement.
  • For employees not covered under Part IV of the Employment Act, the terms of their employment contract dictate their entitlements, though employers often offer time-off in lieu by mutual agreement.
  • Part-time employees' leave-in-lieu is pro-rated based on their working hours.

Public Holidays Falling on Weekends: Your Replacement Off Day

The rules differ slightly depending on whether the public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

If the Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday:

  • Employees on a 5-day work week typically receive an extra day's pay or an off-in-lieu on the following Monday.
  • Employers and employees can mutually agree on a different day for the off-in-lieu.

General Rule for Weekend Public Holidays:

  • If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next working day is usually declared a paid public holiday.
    **Exception**: The next working day is declared a paid public holiday only if the public holiday falls on a rest day or non-working day for the employee.
    So, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, Monday is often the replacement off day.
  • Note: While the government might declare the following Monday a school holiday if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, this doesn't automatically apply to all employees.

Calculating Public Holiday in Lieu Payment

The calculation depends on whether you're covered under Part IV of the Employment Act.

For Employees Covered Under Part IV:

  • Working on a public holiday entitles you to double pay: your regular day's pay plus an additional day's pay at your basic rate.
    **Exception**: The employee receives their gross rate of pay for the day worked on the public holiday plus an additional day’s salary at the basic rate, which does not equate to receiving twice the gross rate of pay.
  • Example: With a monthly gross pay of S$3,000 (assuming a 26-day work month), your daily pay is approximately S$115.38. Working on a public holiday would earn you S$230.76 (S$115.38 + S$115.38).

For Employees Not Covered Under Part IV:

  • Time off in lieu can be granted instead of additional pay, based on mutual agreement.
  • For time off in lieu, the employer can grant either 4 hours of time off for working 4 hours or less, or a full day off for working more than 4 hours on the holiday.

Flexibility and Scheduling Your Replacement Holiday

While the next working day is often the default, there's flexibility in scheduling your replacement holiday.

  • Your employer can schedule your replacement holiday on a different date, provided there's a mutual agreement.
  • Companies often have internal policies regarding the validity period of replacement leave (e.g., within 3 months or before annual leave).
  • Always provide ample notice when requesting a replacement holiday.

Part-Time Employees and Public Holidays in Lieu

Part-time employees also have entitlements to public holidays.

  • If a public holiday falls on a working day, part-time employees receive pro-rated public holiday pay (1/5th of their gross rate for the preceding month).
  • If the public holiday falls on a non-working day, they may receive pro-rated pay, or a day off in lieu, based on their hours worked and a mutual agreement.
  • Encashing public holidays may be an option, as per mutual agreement and clearly stated in the employment contract.

Public Holidays Falling on Rest Days

If a public holiday falls on your rest day, the following working day is declared a paid public holiday.

Choosing Your Replacement Holiday

The ability to choose when to take your replacement holiday depends on mutual agreement with your employer and company policies. Some companies may allow flexibility, while others might have stricter guidelines on timing and validity.

Working on a Public Holiday in Lieu

Working on a public holiday in lieu will generally result in either extra pay or an additional day off, again, based on the specific agreement with your employer.

Public Holiday in Lieu and Annual Leave

If a public holiday falls during your annual leave, you don't get an additional day off in lieu; the public holiday is considered part of your annual leave.

Conclusion

Understanding public holidays in lieu in Singapore requires considering various factors: your employment status, your employer's policies, and any mutual agreements reached. This guide aims to provide a clear overview of the relevant rules and regulations. Always refer to your employment contract and company policies for specific details.

Disclaimer: This article was made with the help of AI and should not be used as a reference for legal matters. Please always double-check with official sources to ensure accuracy.

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