Navigating Unpaid Infant Care Leave: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents in Singapore
On 1 January 2024, the
provision for unpaid infant care leave increased by an additional six days per
parent per year—a major enhancement in the support for working parents with
infants.
This adjustment means each
parent is now entitled to 12 days of unpaid infant care leave annually during
their child's first two years.
In this guide, we discuss
the updated policy, its implications for families and employers, and the
crucial role of efficient leave
management systems and e-leave apps in facilitating this
transition.
Eligibility for unpaid
infant care leave in Singapore
To qualify for unpaid infant
care leave, parents must meet several criteria:
·
The child must be below two years of age, including legally
adopted children or step-children.
·
The child must be a Singapore citizen.
·
The parent must have been employed for a continuous period of
at least three months.
How to apply for unpaid infant care leave in Singapore
Parents wishing to take unpaid infant care leave must notify their employer and
obtain approval.
Employers are encouraged to
grant leave for critical matters such as immunisations and medical appointments.
A streamlined leave management
process can significantly ease this step.
The importance of unpaid
infant care leave
The government's decision to
increase unpaid infant care leave to 12 days per parent annually marks a
significant step towards supporting working families. It acknowledges the
crucial early years of a child's development and the challenges parents face in
balancing work and family life.
·
Strengthens the parent-child bond - Additional leave allows
parents to spend more quality time with their newborns, fostering emotional and
social well-being.
·
Supports early childhood development - More time at home
contributes to nurturing care and engaging activities that boost cognitive,
social, and emotional growth.
·
Improves maternal health - Extended leave can reduce stress
and anxiety for mothers.
·
Promotes gender equality – The benefit encourages fathers to
take an active childcare role and support balanced family responsibilities.
·
Benefits the economy - Enhanced childcare support keeps
parents active in the workforce, contributing to economic growth.
Implications for employers
The expansion of unpaid
infant care leave also presents implications for employers. On a positive note,
these family-friendly policies can boost loyalty and, reduce turnover and may
even make a company more appealing to job seekers. Supporting working parents also
promotes diversity and inclusion.
However, challenges such as
managing workloads and administrative tasks may arise. This underscores the
necessity of an effective e-leave
app and leave management system.
A comprehensive leave management system like Adaptive
Pay can streamline the process for both employees and employers:
·
Simplified leave filing - Employees can apply for leave
electronically, saving time and administrative effort.
·
Efficient approvals - Managers can receive notifications and
can approve leaves remotely.
·
Automated record-keeping - Approved leaves integrate
automatically with payroll and attendance systems to eliminate manual data
entry.
·
Real-time notifications – Employees can stay updated on their
leave status and entitlements through instant notifications.
For employers, adopting a
flexible and supportive approach facilitated by a robust leave
management or e-leave system
can enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity.
Adaptive Pay's e-leave solution with payroll and
attendance management systems can offer a seamless approach to handling the
increased demand for unpaid infant care leave. By prioritising ease of use,
automation, and real-time communication, it helps companies support their
employees through significant life stages while maintaining operational
efficiency.
Request a demo to discover
how e-leave and leave management
software can revolutionise how your business manages employee leave benefits,
integrating effortlessly with existing payroll and attendance systems without
the need for additional platforms!
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