Off Day vs Rest Day

Guide to definitions for Off Day vs Rest Day

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Written by Yuvo-san
Updated over a week ago

Off Day and Rest Day sound similar and at times are used interchangeably.

However in Singapore, per the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), there are differences between Off Day and Rest Day.

The main difference is that Off Day is paid, while Rest Day isn't.

In consideration of employees' health and well being, MOM emphasises having 1 Rest Day per week; where this Rest Day should not fall on an employee's normal working days.

There are scenarios where employers decide to provide Time Off, Off in Lieu or Off Day instead of overtime pay.

In the case where an Off Day is granted, it falls on an employee's normal working day. The employee is compensated to take the day off on a working day.

  • Your employer must provide 1 rest day per week.

  • A rest day comprises 1 whole day (midnight to midnight). It is not a paid day.

  • For shift workers, the rest day can be a continuous period of 30 hours. A 30-hour rest period that starts before 6pm on a Sunday is considered as 1 rest day within the week, even if it extends into the Monday of the following week.

  • A week is continuous period of 7 days starting from Monday and ending on Sunday.

  • Your employer cannot compel you to work on a rest day, unless under exceptional circumstances.

When Rest Day can fall

  • The employer determines the rest day, which can be on a Sunday, or any other day of the week.

  • Other than the rest day, the other days of the week which you don’t need to work are not considered rest days.

  • If the rest day is not a Sunday, your employer should prepare a monthly roster and inform you of the rest days before the start of each month.

  • The maximum interval allowed between 2 rest days is 12 days.

To learn more about topics relating to an Off Day, see the following links:

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