Leave Entitlement in South Africa (BCEA)
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) sets minimum leave entitlements for all South African employees. Annual leave is 21 consecutive days per year — equivalent to 15 working days for a 5-day work week or 18 working days for a 6-day week. Leave accrues from your first day of employment at approximately 1.25 working days per month.
Beyond annual leave, the BCEA provides 30 days paid sick leave over every 3-year cycle (about 10 days per year). In your first 6 months, you're entitled to 1 sick day per 26 days worked. Family responsibility leave gives you 3 paid days per year for child illness or the death of close family members, available once you've been employed for 4 months.
When you leave a job — whether through resignation, dismissal, or retrenchment — your employer must pay out all accrued unused annual leave. This leave payout is calculated using your daily rate (monthly salary ÷ working days per month) multiplied by the number of unused days. Sick leave and family responsibility leave are not paid out on termination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many leave days per year in South Africa?
The BCEA entitles employees to 21 consecutive days (15 working days for a 5-day week) of annual leave per year. This accrues at about 1.25 working days per month. Many employers offer more than the minimum as a benefit.
Do leave days expire?
The BCEA requires annual leave to be granted within 6 months after the end of the annual leave cycle. Employers may allow accumulation, but it's best to use leave regularly. Unused annual leave must be paid out upon termination of employment.
How is leave payout calculated?
Leave payout = daily rate × unused leave days. Your daily rate is your monthly salary divided by the average working days per month (typically 21.67 for a 5-day week). All accrued unused annual leave must be paid out when you leave a job.
How many sick leave days do I get?
The BCEA provides 30 days paid sick leave over every 3-year cycle (about 10 per year for a 5-day week). During your first 6 months, you get 1 day per 26 days worked. A medical certificate is required for absences exceeding 2 consecutive days.
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