Latest News

SIA Allows Cabin Crew To Remain Employed During & After Pregnancy, Change From Long-Standing Rule

SIA Cabin Crew Can Apply For Ground Positions During Pregnancy & Resume Flying After

Cabin crew members can now continue their employment with Singapore Airlines (SIA) during and after pregnancy.

While they’re with child, air stewardesses will be able to apply for temporary ground positions.

After the baby is born, the crew members will be given up to 16 weeks of maternity leave before they resume flying for SIA again.

This is a significant change to the previous policy, where the airline would place air stewardesses on no-pay leave and then terminate their contracts after they gave birth.

The new regulations reportedly came into effect on 15 Jul earlier this year.

SIA cabin crew can continue employment during pregnancy

According to The Straits Times (ST), an SIA circular stated that cabin crew members can continue working for the airline while they’re pregnant.

Source: SIA on Facebook

They will be on no-pay leave but may apply for ground positions in the company.

This includes areas such as administrative work, handling passenger feedback and requests via e-mail, content creation, and event management.

Following the birth of their child, they will have up to 16 weeks of maternity leave. After that, SIA will automatically roster them to fly again.

If a crew member’s contract expires during her pregnancy, SIA will offer her a one-year contract renewal.

 

The circular added that the new policy went into effect on 15 Jul “to further support [their] cabin crew during and after their pregnancy”.

Previously had to reapply to continue employment

The change in regulation is markedly different from SIA’s previous practice of terminating air stewardesses’ contracts after having a child, ST reports.

Prior to the new policy, SIA would place an air stewardess on no-pay leave after she announced their pregnancy.

She would then have to leave the airline the day after submitting her child’s birth certificate.

During her pregnancy, she was also unable to apply for temporary ground positions.

To resume flying with the company, she would have to reapply for a position under a returning crew scheme, which did not guarantee re-employment.

In their circular, SIA said they will try their best to offer as many of these positions as possible to affected cabin crew members, allowing them to maintain their income.

Speaking to ST, they noted that expecting cabin crew members have been able to find ground positions without experiencing difficulties. However, they did not disclose how many are on the scheme at present.

The airline also did not clarify if new mums would be required to shed their baby weight before flying for SIA, simply stating that they will “maintain the same grooming standards for all cabin crew”.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Stuff.

Sudeshna Dhar

Sudeshna is a lover of all romcoms, especially Gone Girl (2014).

Recent Posts

S’pore High Commission officer accused of child neglect in London, given a warning

The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.

16 Nov 2024, 4:14 am

‘Fate extinguished his dream’: Motorcyclist killed in container truck accident in M’sia worked in S’pore

He crossed the border daily in hopes of buying a house for his family.

16 Nov 2024, 2:39 am

Wet weather to continue for rest of Nov, temperature could drop to 23°C on some days

On a few days, the thundery showers might extend into the night.

16 Nov 2024, 1:14 am

Priest discharged from hospital 6 days after stabbing, expresses gratitude for support

His church has urged parishioners to refrain from visiting him as he heals.

16 Nov 2024, 12:27 am

Kitten with broken spine found in Thailand drain, rescuers seeking funds for surgery

The kitten will be put up for adoption after its injuries are cured.

15 Nov 2024, 6:38 pm