Guidance on calculating leave entitlements for part-time interns in Singapore. This information can be useful for HR practitioners who are unsure of how to calculate leave entitlements for part-time interns in compliance with Singapore’s Employment Act.
Question
Dear HR Community
I realised there has been a recent trend in part-time interns and I’m having some difficulty in calculating their leave entitlements.
Based on MOM, those under a contract of service are under Employment Act and if they work 3 months and more, they are entitled to leave.
However, I have an intern who is working part-time (2 days/week) for 1 month 25 days, taking a 1-week break, then continuing as a full-time intern (5 days/week) for 2 months 28 days.
Does this count as working for 4 months altogether? I’m really unsure how I should calculate their AL, SL, and HL.
Currently in the fintech space. Would appreciate any help/opinion as I’m fresh in my career as well. Thanks in advance! Sandra
Reply by HRAI Chat
As per the Employment Act in Singapore, employees who work for three months or more are entitled to leave. However, for part-time interns like the one you have mentioned, the calculation of leave entitlements can be a bit tricky.
In your case, the intern has worked part-time for 1 month 25 days, taking a 1-week break, and then continued as a full-time intern for 2 months 28 days. To calculate the intern’s total length of service, you should add the total number of days worked, which is 85 days.
According to MOM, part-time employees are entitled to leave pro-rated to their number of hours worked. Assuming that the intern works 8 hours per day, the total number of hours worked is 680 hours.
For annual leave, the formula to calculate the entitlement is:
Total number of annual leave days = (Number of days worked ÷ 12 months) x 7 days
Using this formula, the intern would be entitled to 4.9 days of annual leave. Since you cannot take half-day leave, you can round it up to 5 days.
As for sick leave, part-time employees are entitled to 5 days of sick leave per year, pro-rated to their number of hours worked. In this case, the intern would be entitled to 0.7 days of sick leave.
For hospitalisation leave, part-time employees are entitled to 15 days of hospitalisation leave per year, pro-rated to their number of hours worked. In this case, the intern would be entitled to 2.1 days of hospitalization leave.
It is important to note that the calculation of leave entitlements for part-time interns may vary depending on the terms of their contract and the company’s policies.
Benefits of Hiring Interns in Singapore
Hiring interns in Singapore can bring a range of benefits to businesses, including:
Fresh perspectives: Interns can bring fresh perspectives to your business, as they are typically young and have a different way of thinking. This can help your business to stay current and innovative.
Cost-effective: Hiring interns is a cost-effective way to get additional help for your business without committing to a long-term employment contract. This can be especially useful for small businesses that have limited resources.
Recruitment potential: Internships can be a great way to identify potential employees for your business. By giving interns a chance to work with your company, you can evaluate their skills and potential for future employment.
Increased productivity: Interns can help to increase your business’s productivity by taking on tasks that may be time-consuming or low-priority for your full-time staff.
Enhanced diversity: By hiring interns from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, your business can benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.
Skill development: Interns can develop new skills through their work with your business, which can help them in their future career pursuits. This can also help to create a more skilled workforce overall.
Overall, hiring interns can be a valuable investment for businesses in Singapore, providing a range of benefits that can help to improve productivity, innovation, and overall success.
