Singapore helper rest day (off day) rules 2026: how many a month, extra pay for working, and half days
Under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) rules:
- Your helper (maid) has one rest day each week; you agree together which day it is.
- At least one rest day a month can't be replaced with money.
- If she agrees to work on a rest day, you pay her at least one extra day's salary.
Good practice: plan nothing on her rest day; anything you need to explain, say it the day before.
What the rules say
Based on MOM's “Rest days and well-being” page (checked October 2026):
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Weekly rest day | One day a week. The employer and helper agree which day, and both must agree |
| Rest day that can't be paid off | However the weeks are arranged, at least one rest day each month can't be replaced with money |
| Pay for working on a rest day | If she agrees to work on a rest day, the employer pays at least one extra day's salary, on top of her basic salary |
| How it's taken | As one full day or two half days; she can choose to spend it at home |
| Can't take it this month | It can be pushed back, but must be taken by the end of the next month |
| Updating MOM | Once agreed, update the number of rest days in MOM's FDW eService |
Employers who don't provide the mandatory rest day may face enforcement action by MOM. Rules may change; MOM's website takes precedence.
How to agree on it
- Ask her which day she'd like. Many helpers prefer Sunday, because friends, people from home and church activities are mostly on Sundays.
- Be clear about how it's taken: a full day or two half days, what time she can go out and when she comes back.
- Once it's set, don't keep changing it. If you really need to swap, tell her a few days ahead and ask what she thinks.
- Write it in your house guide so you can both see it.
On her rest day
- Plan nothing. The day before, sort out the next day's meals and anything that needs preparing; family members can pitch in a little themselves.
- Don't send new instructions. Whatever comes up can wait until she's back, or until the next day.
- If she chooses to stay home, that's still rest. Don't ask her to do things “while she's at it” that day.
Make room for rest on other days too
Besides the weekly rest day:
- leave a lunch break every day, for example 12:00–14:00;
- plan nothing after 9 pm.
A packed day looks tiring to you and feels tiring to her — over time, neither of you can keep it up.
Yiru makes this easier
- Set her rest day in Yiru, and she won't get reminders that day.
- From 9 pm to 6 am nothing disturbs her either; messages in that window are held and delivered together when it ends.
FAQ
If she goes out on her rest day, can I ask her to be back by a certain time?
You can agree on a time to come home with her, but it should be reasonable, agreed in advance and not changed at the last minute.
She doesn't want to go out on her rest day — can I ask her to do a bit of housework?
You shouldn't take it for granted. If she agrees to work on a rest day, you pay at least one extra day's salary; and at least one rest day each month can't be replaced with money.
Sources
All checked in October 2026. Rules and figures may change; official websites take precedence.