World · Singapore Bureau
Working During Leave May Warrant Compensatory Time Off, Experts Say
Employees who work during annual leave to meet business deadlines may be entitled to time off in lieu, though the circumstances surrounding the extra work matter significantly. Employment experts note that whether such compensation is warranted depends on factors including whether the work was necessary and how it was managed.
LSN Singapore ·
When employees find themselves working during annual leave to meet critical deadlines, the question of compensatory time off becomes relevant. Legal and human resources professionals indicate that time off in lieu may be appropriate in such situations, though the answer is not always straightforward.
The key consideration is why the additional work during leave became necessary in the first place. If the extra hours resulted from poor planning, insufficient staffing, or management failure to arrange proper coverage, employers may bear greater responsibility for providing compensation. Conversely, if the work was genuinely unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances or business-critical requirements, the situation may be viewed differently.
Employees facing this dilemma should document the work performed during their leave period and discuss the matter directly with their supervisors or human resources departments. Many organisations have policies addressing compensatory leave, though not all situations are covered explicitly.
In Singapore, the Employment Act sets minimum standards for leave entitlements, but compensatory time off for work performed during leave is not automatically mandated by law. Rather, it depends on individual employment contracts and company policies. Employees uncertain about their rights are advised to review their employment agreements and seek clarification from their HR departments regarding entitlements in such circumstances.