Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Singapore casino reversed a policy that would have penalized staff who took sick leave over the Chinese New Year holiday.

Marina Bay Sands scrapped a plan to give demerit points to staff who failed to show up for work even if they had a medical certificate, according to an e-mailed statement from the company. The Straits Times reported the policy earlier today, citing a memo dated Jan. 21.

Marina Bay Sands “will honor valid medical certificates without any deduction of staff points,” it said in the statement. Employees with perfect attendance during the period will earn extra merit points, it said.

 

Under the plan reported by the Straits Times, staff at the Singapore casino with a medical certificate for leave during the period would have received two demerit points, and those without a certificate would have got four demerit points.

 

Dealers will likely receive higher tips during Chinese New Year, Marina Bay Sands said. The first day of the holiday falls on Feb. 3.