What can I do if I'm dismissed while on Shared Parental Leave (SPL)? Do I have the same job protection on SPL as other Government-Paid leaves?
From 1 April 2025, if you are taking Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) or Adoption Leave (AL), you will be protected from dismissal. This is similar to how mothers are protected during Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML). This means it is unlawful for your employer to terminate your employment while you’re on GPPL or AL.
However, Shared Parental Leave (SPL) does not come with the same protections. Since SPL gives you additional time away from work, employers still need the flexibility to make fair employment decisions (such as dismissals due to poor performance) for the needs of their businesses.
If you believe you were unfairly dismissed while on SPL, you can file a claim with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).
Related questions
How does employee protection for Shared Parental Leave (SPL) compare to other parental leave types, and what options exist for those dismissed while on SPL?
What are the employment protections to Government-Paid Paternity Leave and Adoption Leave introduced from 1 Apr 2025?
What is Government-Paid Shared Parental Leave (SPL)?
If a parent’s employment ends after birth of the child (e.g. due to contract expiry, retrenchment, or resignation) before he/she has finished using their leave, will the Government grant a top-up of GPMB, GPPB or GPAB for the unconsumed leave?
