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Taking Government-Paid Paternity Leave in shorter durations

Type: Parliamentary Questions

Topic(s): Children & Families

Published on 04 March 2020

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
MP for Nee Soo GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will consider allowing Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) to be taken in shorter durations such as half-days or hours.

Answer

1. Fathers play an important role in their children’s care and development, and paternity leave supports fathers in caring for their newborns. As fathers may have different work arrangements, the two weeks of paternity leave can already be taken flexibly, in durations shorter than one day, if there is mutual agreement between employers and employees.

2. Beyond leave provisions, the Government encourages and provides support for employers to implement the Tripartite Standards on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) and Unpaid Leave for Unexpected Care Needs, to develop a more family-friendly work culture. Parents may tap on such arrangements to care for their children as well.

3. We will continue to work with tripartite partners to encourage companies to better support parents in managing their work and family responsibilities.