Since Singapore has eased its stance on work-from-home, employees are now encouraged to return to the office. If that sounds like a drag and you’ve started mapping out your next vacation or downtime by maximising the public holidays and long weekends, we have prepared a nifty guide for you to get more off days in the coming months. Scroll down to read some annual leave hacks to get more rest days this year.
February
Since Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Feb 1 and 2 (Tuesday and Wednesday), apply for leave on the 3rd and 4th of Feb will get you a six-day break. You can also opt to take leave on Jan 31 (Monday), so you have a sweet nine-day celebration (from Jan 29 to Feb 6) during this festive season.
April
Good Friday falls on Friday, April 15, so taking leave on Monday, Apr 18 will give you a short break to beat the Monday blues. You can also take leave from Apr 11 to 14 to get a good nine days off during the Easter weekend.
May
If you have enough leave days, you can have a mid-year break in May. Labour Day falls on Sunday, May 1, which means the following day is a public holiday. Also, Hari Raya Puasa falls on May 3, so taking leave from May 4 to 6 will give you a whopping nine days break.
Alternatively, you can have a four-day break for Vesak Day. Since it falls on Sunday, May 15, the following Monday will be a public holiday. So, apply for leave on Tuesday, May 17 to enjoy the short break in May.
August
For a well-deserved holiday in August, taking four days off on 8, 10, 11 and 12 will grant you a nine-day break since National Day falls on Aug 9 on a Tuesday.
October
You get to rest and rejuvenate in October when you take time off from the 25th to the 28th after celebrating Deepavali on Monday, October 24. If you do not have enough leave days, book one on Friday October 20, so you are granted with four days to recoup.
December
December is perfect for the ultimate holiday experience. Since Christmas and New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, the following Mondays are public holidays. Book your leave in advance from December 27 to 30, and you will get 10 days off, perfect for an end of year vacation.
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