Can an employer just take your leave away?

I applied for leave to go overseas on holiday. My employer denied this leave saying it was unapproved despite it being filed in advance of the recommended 3 weeks prior to leaving period.

When I asked what happens to the leave that was unapproved (do I get it back? Can I use it to apply again?) they said it was gone.

Obviously, this is suspicious behavior at best and it feels to me that this is possibly illegal. I couldn’t find anything about this specifically on MOM’s website, though.

Is this legal? Can they just vanish my leaves?

Netizens’ comments

What rubbish, not approved not taken how to count as consumed. Mfers cheating u of paid days

No. You are entitled to a minimum amount of leave per year by law if you have worked for more than 3 months.Also, your contract will entitle you to XX number of days of leave per year. No such thing as you apply, it’s rejected, it vanished.Clarify with your HR (if there is a HR in your company), if not write an email to your boss

they can reject your leave application, but rejected it means your leave is still with you.Please file a complain to HR and MOM

If it is denied then it is not consumed right? If your leave days drop but you never consumed it because it was not approved then this is wrong.

Send email n get them to respond on black n white. If they dare to reply with the same thing, you can use it and log a report with MOM. But likely they will ignore your email and come scold you instead

not legal. threaten to complain to MOM. cfm chop SME with a super stingy boss showing off his second-hand entry level rolex at the expense of his worker.

Check with your HR, if the reply is not satisfactory then go to MOM. They can’t really remove your leave if you didn’t use them.