Navigating maternity leave in Singapore: What to do before going on leave

Maternity leave is a key entitlement for working mothers in Singapore, enabling them to balance career responsibilities with the demands of early parenthood. And over the decades, NTUC has continued to championed the rights of working parents, including expecting mothers.

As your due date approaches, being well-prepared can ease the transition for both you and your employer.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get ready for maternity leave in Singapore.

1. Understand your maternity leave entitlements

In Singapore, maternity leave benefits vary depending on your child's citizenship and your employment status.

Eligible working mothers whose child is a Singapore citizen are entitled to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML). If the child is not a citizen, 12 weeks of employer-paid leave typically applies.

You must also have been employed with the company for at least three months before the birth of the child.

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and understand how these benefits apply to your specific situation.

Parents are also eligible for six weeks of Shared Parental Leave.

2. Notify your employer early

Inform your employer of your pregnancy and estimated due date as early as possible.

You need to give your employer at least four weeks’ notice before you go on GPML.

The notice enables your company to prepare for your absence, plan for manpower coverage and ensure compliance with internal HR procedures.

3. Review your company’s maternity benefits and leave policy

Beyond MOM’s guidelines, many companies offer additional maternity support, such as:

• extended or unpaid leave;
• wellness benefits;
• flexible work arrangements;
• insurance coverage for prenatal or delivery care.

Review your company’s policy or handbook to take full advantage of any additional entitlements that could benefit your work-life balance and return-to-work transition.

4. Plan your leave dates

While maternity leave can begin as early as four weeks before your due date, many women choose to work closer to their delivery to maximise postnatal time off.

When deciding when to start your leave, consider:

• your health and how your pregnancy is progressing;
• the nature of your job (e.g., physically demanding roles may warrant earlier leave);
• whether you’ll take the whole block of leave of 16 weeks at once or split it (you can flexibly take up to eight weeks over 12 months after birth).

A thoughtful plan allows you to align your leave with both personal needs and work demands.

5. Prepare a clear handover plan

A thorough handover plan is key to ensuring business continuity while you're away.

Outline your responsibilities, delegate key tasks, document important processes, and brief your team or replacement.

The detailed handover should include:

• ongoing projects and key deadlines;
• important contacts and workflows;
• access to documents and systems;
• contingency plans for unresolved issues.

Start this process early to allow time for a smooth knowledge transfer.

Taking maternity leave should be a joyful and stress-free experience. With proper planning and clear communication, you would be able to focus on welcoming your new arrival while ensuring things are in order at work.

For more information, visit the Government Paid Leave portal or visit NTUC Women and Family to find out how NTUC is empowering women and families.