Singapore Expats

Hi

I have just found out I am (unexpectedly) pregnant and I have a really hectic job in Singapore with two young kids (3 and 5). Am feeling a little daunted about the whole thing - in particular with the thought that I will only get 4 months off work and will then have to try and sort out childcare (will probably leave the baby with our helper who is really great), but she will then need support with the cleaning (can't expect her to do two jobs), and the older kids.

My job also involves a lot of travel, and whilst I am sure my boss will be understanding, the job is the job, and we don't have the luxury of me leaving this job.

Is there anyone out there in the same boat who has been through the same thing, and has some wonderful words of wisdom?

is your husband domesticated?

Four months maternity leave is only for Singapore citizens - foreigners get two months!

Luckily my husband is domesticated - he is a wonderful help and support so between us we will muddle through on this.

My company also doesn't distinguish between foreigners and locals, so I should get the full 16 weeks maternity leave. Am also going to try to get an additional month unpaid so I don't have to go back just before Christmas.

Am feeling a little more settled about the whole thing - I have 7 months to make plans, so that should help.

Companies are required (by law) to give two months paid maternity leave to their employees. For Singapore citizens (and only for those), the government pays another two months.
You are exptremely lucky, because giving the same maternity leave to locals and foreigners in effect means your company is paying you four months and locals two months leave, thus treating foreigners better than locals!

beppi wrote:Companies are required (by law) to give two months paid maternity leave to their employees. For Singapore citizens (and only for those), the government pays another two months.
You are exptremely lucky, because giving the same maternity leave to locals and foreigners in effect means your company is paying you four months and locals two months leave, thus treating foreigners better than locals!

And how did you come up with that conclusion? You been here too long?

The way I see it it both are being treated equally. The fact that the government reimburses the Employer a portion of the local's maternity leave has nothing to do with it. In either case the employee gets 4 months. So as an Employee be it local or foreign both are being given the same.

Or are you just trying to stir up the locals here on the forum with unfounded claims?

How I came up with that claim?
Very easy: For a local, the company pays two months maternity leave from its own pockets (and two more months are funded by the government), whereas for a foreigner the company pays four months from its own pocket.
I am not trying to stir up anything, but most companies would take the standpoint that such unequal treatment by the government is none of their business and very few would take such a stance and step in for what the government doesn't. Thus I am saying the OP is very lucky to be in such a company!
(Please note that I didn't say that the unequal treatment by the government is unfair or should be changed - this is an entirely different topic not discussed here!)

hi,

i'm a working mum and managed to get 5 months off, 2 paid, 3 unpaid as a foreigner, having my second child in SG.

not sure what words of advice i have, but a supportive partner, good helper definitely make a big difference. also sounds like your company are relatively supportive, and luckily mine had a feeding room, so I could pump daily, which helped me feed for 12 months.

i also made it clear to my employer I didn't want much travel. sounds like your job may require this regularly. I think be open with your boss about what you can handle and if they can give you some flexibility for 12 months. reassure them this will be appreciated and your still committed to your work.

finally, you can't do everything, so outsource, outsource, outsource where you can!

as for the poster talking about what is paid and unpaid by the government, foreigners pay taxes just the same as singaporeans, with less maternity benefits. but it's all swings and roundabouts - her company is treating all women the same, as they should. mine didn't, which made me think my company thinks foreign women perhaps need less time to recover from childbirth and bond with their baby!!

good luck!

Since you are pregnant, what I can say first of all is that you take care of yourself. You have a baby inside and you should be extra careful. If you should travel, plan ahead so your stress will be less. Or if you can ask your boss to assign someone else to do it. If that is not possible, then make sure you don't stress yourself out. As for your plans after giving birth, I think you'll be doing fine especially if your husband is supportive. It's a plus that your company is also supportive.