Overtime Pay Rates in South Africa (BCEA)
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) sets minimum overtime rates for South African employees. Normal overtime — any hours worked beyond the standard 45-hour work week — must be paid at 1.5 times your normal hourly rate. Sunday work (if not a normal working day) and public holiday work must be paid at double (2x) the normal rate.
The BCEA limits normal working hours to 45 per week (9 hours/day for a 5-day week or 8 hours/day for a 6-day week). Overtime is capped at 10 hours per week, though a written agreement can extend this to 15 hours. Employees earning above R254,371.67 per year may be exempt from overtime provisions.
To calculate your overtime pay, this calculator converts your monthly salary to an hourly rate (monthly salary ÷ 4.33 weeks ÷ hours per week), then applies the correct BCEA multiplier. It's a useful tool for checking whether your employer is paying overtime correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overtime rate in South Africa?
Normal weekday overtime is paid at 1.5x your hourly rate (time and a half). Sunday work and public holiday work are paid at 2x your hourly rate (double time), provided these are not your normal working days.
Is Sunday overtime double pay?
Yes — if Sunday is not your normal working day, you're entitled to double pay (2x your normal hourly rate). If you normally work Sundays, the rate is 1.5x. The same 2x rate applies to work on public holidays.
Can an employer refuse to pay overtime?
No, if overtime was authorised or required by the employer, it must be paid at the prescribed BCEA rates. Employers cannot unilaterally refuse payment. However, employees earning above R254,371.67/year may be excluded from overtime provisions under the BCEA earnings threshold.
How many overtime hours are allowed per week?
The BCEA limits overtime to 10 hours per week, extendable to 15 hours by written agreement. Total working hours (normal + overtime) should not exceed 55 hours per week. Employers must keep records of all overtime worked.
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