The secret to getting 10 long weekends in 2016

Make full use of the public holidays in 2016 to enjoy 10 long weekends without your annual leave bank suffering.

According to the 11 gazetted public holidays for 2016 released by the Ministry of Manpower, you can enjoy 10 long weekends by taking only three days of leave and four days off-in-lieu.

There will be four long weekends next year, kick starting the year with a long weekend for New Year's Day (January 1) which falls on a Friday.

This is followed by Chinese New Year (February 8 and 9) which falls on Monday and Tuesday.

There's also Good Friday which falls on March 25 (Friday), as well as Hari Raya Haji (September 12) which falls on a Monday.

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Labour Day (May 1) and Christmas Day (December 25) both fall on a Sunday, making the following Monday a holiday.

Additionally, because Vesak Day (May 21) and Deepavali (October 29) fall on a Saturday, most employees will be able to claim a day off-in-lieu.

This already makes eight long weekends in the year of 2016.

To add another two long weekends next year, note down the following dates on your 2016 calendar:

• Since Hari Raya Puasa (July 6) falls on a Wednesday, take leave on July 4 and 5 to get July 2 to 6 off.
• Also, next year, National Day (August 9) falls on a Tuesday, take leave on August 8 to get August 6 to 9 off.