Leave for caregiving needs now 'part and parcel' of normal HR policy, official says
Details on Singapore's enhanced childcare leave scheme will be provided early next year, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, who addressed in Parliament inquiries surrounding the newly announced policy.
Rajah said that the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Work Group, which she chairs, will share further details on the scheme in early 2027.
"This will take some time. Legislative amendments are required and we are working with our tripartite partners on the implementation details," she told Parliament.
"We also need to give employers time to manage the operational impact of the childcare leave enhancements. We will share more details by early next year."
Rajah's remarks provide greater clarity on the timeline of the enhanced policy's implementation, after she previously said it could take "at least several months."
The policy, as unveiled by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his National Day Rally speech last month, will grant every working parent with one child aged 12 and below eight childcare leave days.
Those with two children aged 12 and below will get 10 days, while those with three or more children will get 12 days.
Addressing employers' concerns
But employers have expressed concerns surrounding the enhanced policy's impact on their operations.
"As announced, the government will reimburse employers for the duration of all child related leave up to a cap," Rajah said.
"Employers may use this increased reimbursement to support covering arrangements, including by hiring temporary staff or recognising employees who take on additional covering responsibilities."
The minister added that they are looking for ways to better support companies with backfilling arrangements, and are now identifying barriers that companies face in facilitating leave taking.
According to Rajah, the work group is developing practical solutions that are tailored to the needs of different sectors and firms.
"The work group will share its full set of recommendations in early 2027," she added.
The 'longer-term solution' to operational issues
Rajah, however, underscored that the longer-term solution to the operational problems stemming from the enhanced childcare scheme lies on HR policies.
"The longer-term solution to this issue is for workplaces to recognise and accept that leave for caregiving needs, such as parental leave, is now part and parcel of normal HR policy and for them to plan and design their workplace norms and practices around this," Rajah said.
"This would include job redesign, flexible work arrangements, short-term covering arrangements, and where appropriate AI and automation."
Singapore's enhanced childcare leave policy has put greater pressure on employers to introduce measures that can better support employees across different stages.
Leanne Chin, chief financial officer at ADP APAC, previously said employers have an "opportunity to rethink" how work can better support people across different stages of life.
"For employers, the goal is not to simply offer more flexibility, but to ensure the workplace continues to adapt to changing employee needs over time," she said.
"Just as importantly, employers need to create an environment where workers can manage responsibilities outside work without feeling they have to sacrifice career progression. Organisations that get this right will be better positioned to retain talent, sustain productivity, and stay resilient as the workforce evolves."
