SPL can be taken either continuously or flexibly, depending on whether there is mutual agreement between the parent and employer. In all cases, primary leave schemes — including Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL), and Adoption Leave for Mothers (AL) — must be fully exhausted before SPL can commence.

Without mutual agreement with employer:

• The parent is entitled to take their allocated share of SPL in one continuous block within the first 26 weeks (6 calendar months) of the child's birth.

• The employer cannot reject the leave request, provided the parent gives at least 4 weeks' advance notice before commencing SPL. The employer may choose to waive or shorten this notice period.

With mutual agreement with employer:

• The parent may take SPL flexibly (non-continuously) within 12 months of the child's birth.