Canada
This is the market where generalising goes wrong fastest. Ontario's ESA gives 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days a year (the paid pandemic-era days ended in 2023). Federally regulated employers owe up to 10 paid medical days, accruing monthly. Quebec pays 2 days after 3 months' service, BC mandates 5 paid days, and the rest of the provinces write their own rules.
- Ontario3 days a year, unpaid, job-protected
- Federally regulated10 paid days, accruing 1 per month
- Quebec2 paid days after 3 months
- Province variationSubstantial (BC 5 paid days)
- Any copy implying Ontario has statutory paid sick days is wrong as of July 2026.
- Federal paid days accrue monthly, so a new hire does not start with 10.
Source: Ontario ESA guide (Unpaid regime since 2019). Checked July 2026.
Singapore
Employment Act employees qualify after 3 months, with the entitlement stepping up monthly to the full 14 outpatient days and 60 hospitalisation days at 6 months. The hospitalisation figure is a combined cap, not an extra 60. The employer pays, and a medical certificate is required.
- Outpatient14 days a year from 6 months' service
- Hospitalisation60 days a year, inclusive of the 14
- Qualifying service3 months
- Who paysEmployer
| Length of service | Entitlement |
|---|
| 3 months' service | 5 outpatient / 15 hospitalisation days |
| 4 months | 8 / 30 |
| 5 months | 11 / 45 |
| 6 months and beyond | 14 / 60 |
- Covers all Employment Act employees including managers and executives; the S$2,600 threshold people cite only limits hours-of-work protections, not leave.
Source: Ministry of Manpower (Employment Act s.89). Checked July 2026.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the government source for its market.
.webp)
.png?width=383&height=200&name=team%20(1).png)
