Congratulation for being a parent! Now, do you know your rights?

Maternal and Parental leave are paid leave that both you and your partner can take to spend more time with your newborn. And at the same time, this is a period for you to recover and have ample rest before returning to work.

By default, the 16 weeks of maternity leave can be taken continuously as a block starting from up to 4 weeks before your estimated date of delivery.

And if you have worked out an arrangement with your employer, you can take the last 8 weeks of leave flexibly over a period of 12 months from the birth of the birth of the child. You are eligible for Government-paid maternity leave if:

• Your child is a Singapore Citizen;
• You are lawfully married to your child’s father*;
• You have served your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months preceding the birth of your child.*As we move towards more pro-family in Singapore, criteria to quality for leave benefits may be changed. For more updates on criteria, please visit http://www.profamilyleave.gov.sg.

If you are self-employed, you have to be engaged in a particular business, trade or profession for a continuous period of at least 3 months before the birth of your child before you can claim the leave benefits. As this is a paid leave, it compensates the lost income during the maternity leave period.

Two weeks of paternity leave are granted to working fathers so that they can be home to support you and be engaged from the start.

To learn more about your rights and benefits about maternity leave and enhanced maternity protection for pregnant employees, you can visit http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/leave-and-holidays/Pages/maternity-leave.aspx

 

Baby Bonus Scheme

The scheme is part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package and includes a cash gift and/or contributions to the Child Development Account. You can apply for the Baby Bonus online at https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg using your SingPass account.

For more information, please visit http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/BBSS/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx or visit the official website at https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/parent/index.html.

Breastfeeding at the workplace

Most employers are aware that employees returning to work after childbirth may want to continue breastfeeding and will require some form of lactation support at the workplace. While employers are supportive towards the needs of the working mothers, they may not know how to take the first step in providing this support.

Just before you take maternity leave, try to work out an arrangement at your work place so that when you return to work, you can facilitate breastfeeding at work.