4. Types of leave
Paid time off
In South Africa, the minimum statutory annual leave is 15 workdays, which are earned monthly at a rate of 1.25 days each month.
Public holidays
South Africa recognizes thirteen public holidays.
Sick days
Sick leave in South Africa is calculated on a 36-month period.
The employee is entitled to one day of sick leave for every 26 days worked during the first six months of employment. The employee receives the following benefits beginning on the first day of the seventh month:
If they work a 5-day work week, they will get 30 days off, and if they work a 6-day work week, they will have 36 days off.
If an employee works Monday through Friday and one Saturday every two weeks, he or she will have 33 days off, however this does not apply to individuals who work fewer than 24 hours each month. Sick leave would have to be negotiated during the employment contract negotiations in this situation.
The overall number of sick days the employee is able to take is calculated by subtracting the number of sick days taken from these figures.
The number of sick days resets at the conclusion of the 36–month cycle.
A medical certificate is required whenever an employee is absent for more than two days in a row. If an employee is sick from Friday to Monday, it is not considered consecutive days of sick leave, and the individual is not required to show a medical certificate.
Employees who are on sick leave are entitled to full pay and cannot be fired as long as they obtain a medical certificate.
Maternity leave
A woman is entitled to four months of unpaid maternity leave in South Africa.
This right might start as early as four weeks before the due date. It is feasible to start the leave early if the lady is unable to work owing to her medical condition.
Employers are not required to compensate employees for maternity leave. Instead, if contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund have been made, a claim can be made from the Maternity Benefit Fund (UIF). The employee might get up to 60% of their usual income from this benefit, which is provided for a period of 121 days.
Paternity leave
Sick leave in South Africa is calculated on a 36-month period.
The employee is entitled to one day of sick leave for every 26 days worked during the first six months of employment. The employee receives the following benefits beginning on the first day of the seventh month:
If they work a 5-day work week, they will get 30 days off, and if they work a 6-day work week, they will have 36 days off.
If an employee works Monday through Friday and one Saturday every two weeks, he or she will have 33 days off, however this does not apply to individuals who work fewer than 24 hours each month. Sick leave would have to be negotiated during the employment contract negotiations in this situation.
The overall number of sick days the employee is able to take is calculated by subtracting the number of sick days taken from these figures.
The number of sick days resets at the conclusion of the 36–month cycle.
A medical certificate is required whenever an employee is absent for more than two days in a row. If an employee is sick from Friday to Monday, it is not considered consecutive days of sick leave, and the individual is not required to show a medical certificate.
Employees who are on sick leave are entitled to full pay and cannot be fired as long as they obtain a medical certificate.
Parental leave
Fathers are entitled to ten days of parental leave, which is reimbursed at 66 percent of their usual wage by the UIF. In order to take parental leave, the father must notify his employer in writing at least one month before the child's projected due date. Adoptive dads are also eligible for this leave.
Other leave
An employee who is enrolled in school can take two paid days per topic each year, up to a total of ten days per year, at the option of the employer. Any extra absence taken for the purpose of studying after the ten days must be taken as unpaid leave.
Workplace injury leave: If a person gets injured at work and needs to take more than four days off, they are entitled to 75 percent of their usual wage for up to three months. After three months of unpaid absence, the employee must file a claim with the Compensation Fund and earn 75 percent of their regular wage.
In addition, the employer has the right to request payment from the Compensation Fund for the first three months.