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Leave application email template (Singapore)

Short emails to apply for annual leave, report sick leave, or ask for emergency leave, with the dates and handover your manager needs. Fill it in, then copy or download.

Quick answer: give the type of leave, the dates, the number of working days and who covers your work. For sick leave, tell your employer within 48 hours and attach the medical certificate (MC). Annual leave applies from 3 months of service.

SingaporeAnnual, sick and emergency leave

Your leave

Working days are counted Monday to Friday. Take out public holidays yourself.

Your email


          

        

      


      
Annual leave email you can copy

      
Ask early, give exact dates and the number of working days, and say who covers your work.

      
Subject: Annual leave request – [dates]

Dear [Manager's name],

I would like to apply for annual leave from [first day] to [last day], [N] working days.

[Name] has agreed to cover my work, and I will hand over before I go.

Please let me know if these dates work.

Regards,
[Your name]


      
Sick leave email

      
Subject: Sick leave – [Your name], [date]

Dear [Manager's name],

I am unwell and have been given medical leave from [first day] to [last day]. My medical certificate is attached.

[Name] can help with anything urgent. I will check messages when I can.

Regards,
[Your name]


      
Emergency leave email

      
Subject: Emergency leave – [Your name], [date]

Dear [Manager's name],

I need to take emergency leave today because of [a family emergency]. I expect to be back on [date].

Please take this from my annual leave, or as unpaid leave if none is left. [Name] can cover anything urgent.

Regards,
[Your name]


      
What the law says

      
    
        
  • Annual leave: 7 days in the first year of service, rising by a day a year to 14, for employees with at least 3 months' service. Work out yours with the annual leave calculator.
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  • Sick leave: paid sick leave applies from 3 months' service, rising to 14 days of outpatient and 60 days of hospitalisation leave a year after 6 months.
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  • Telling your employer: you must inform or try to inform your employer within 48 hours of being absent on sick leave. Otherwise the absence can be treated as absence without permission.
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  • The MC: paid sick leave needs a medical certificate from a doctor the law accepts.
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Tips

      
    
        
  • Ask before you book. Get approval for annual leave before paying for travel.
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  • Use your company's system if it has one. The email is then a courtesy note to your manager.
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  • Keep it short. You do not need to explain why you want annual leave.
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  • Leaving the company? Unused leave can shorten or be paid out at the end of your notice, if your employer agrees. See the notice period calculator.
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Common questions

      

        
How far ahead should I apply for annual leave?
Follow your company's policy. Without one, two weeks for a few days and a month for a longer trip is common.

        
Can my employer refuse my leave dates?
Yes. The law gives you the number of days, but the timing is agreed with your employer.

        
Do I need an MC for one day of sick leave?
For paid sick leave, yes, unless your company's policy waives it.

        
Is emergency leave a legal entitlement?
No law sets a number of days. It usually comes from your annual leave, your company's own policy, or unpaid leave.

      


      
Sources

      

        Ministry of Manpower
        
    
          
  1. MOM, Annual leave: eligibility and entitlement.
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  2. MOM, Sick leave: eligibility and entitlement: service needed, days a year, telling your employer and medical certificates.
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