☀️ Plan My Leave ☂️

Annual Leave Entitlement

• 21 consecutive days per 12-month cycle (including weekends)
• Equivalent to 15 working days (5-day week) or 18 days (6-day week)
• Must be taken within 6 months of the cycle ending
• Paid at full salary
• Unused leave must be paid out on termination

Reference: Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) Sections 20–22

Sick Leave Benefits

• 30 paid days over a 36-month cycle (based on 5-day work week)
• Paid at 100% of normal salary
• Medical certificate required for:
  • 2 or more consecutive days
  • More than 2 occasions in an 8-week period

Reference: BCEA Section 23

Maternity Leave Rights

• 4 consecutive months unpaid leave
• UIF benefits: Up to 66% of salary (subject to earnings cap)
• Must begin at least 4 weeks before due date
• Protected from dismissal during pregnancy
• Can claim through UIF for maternity benefits

Reference: BCEA Sections 25–27; UIF Act

Family Responsibility Leave Entitlement

• 5 paid days per annual leave cycle
• Applicable for:
  • Birth of employee's child
  • Illness of child
  • Death of spouse/life partner, parent, adoptive parent, grandparent, child, adopted child, grandchild or sibling
• Only for employees working 4+ days per week
• Must have been employed for 4+ months

Reference: BCEA Section 28

Public Holiday Entitlements

• Paid time off for all official public holidays
• If working on a public holiday:
  • Double pay, or
  • Normal pay plus a day off in lieu
• Public holidays falling on Sunday: following Monday becomes a holiday

Reference: BCEA Section 18

Important Notes

• Leave must be applied for and approved in advance
• Employers may have their own leave policies that are more favorable
• Leave cannot be unreasonably refused
• Keep records of all leave taken and supporting documentation

For more detailed information, visit:

• Department of Employment and Labour
• UIF Portal