Sick leave and sickness allowance in Hong Kong
Ask about absence reporting, medical certificates and eligibility for sickness allowance.
Source checked · Sickness allowance eligibility and accrual
Understand your employer’s procedure
Ask how to notify your manager when ill, when to provide medical evidence and whether the employer offers benefits above the statutory minimum. Keep your certificate and notification records.
Check allowance conditions
An employee under a continuous contract generally needs at least four consecutive sickness days, sufficient accumulated paid sickness days and the applicable supporting evidence. Exceptions to the four-day rule apply for qualifying pregnancy examinations, post-confinement treatment or miscarriage. A certificate of attendance may be accepted for pregnancy examinations, and special evidence rules apply to specified anti-epidemic restrictions. Check the Labour Department guidance for details.
Review your payslip
Under a continuous contract, paid sickness days accrue at two days per completed month during the first 12 months and four days per completed month thereafter, subject to a maximum balance of 120 days. Record absences, your balance and payments; ask HR or the Labour Department about discrepancies.