Sick Leave

Sick Leave Administration in South Africa

Sick Leave accumulates according to a cycle which is a period of employment (with the same employer) of 36 months.

The Sick Leave Cycle starts immediately on commencement of employment and on completion of that employee’s previous Sick Leave Cycle.

During a Sick Leave Cycle, an employee is entitled to an amount of paid sick leave equal to the number of days the employee would normally work during a six week period.

An employee is entitled to 6 weeks paid sick leave in a period of 36 months.

An employee working 5 days per week is therefore entitled to 30 days, and an employee working 6 days per weeks is entitled to 36 days in the 36 months cycle.

THE FOLLOWING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE NOTE OF:

During the first six months of employment an employee is entitled to one day’s paid sick leave for every 26 days worked.

During an employee’s first sick leave cycle, an employer may reduce the employee’s sick leave entitlement by the number of days taken in the first six months

An employer may require a medical certificate before paying an employee for sick leave where the employee is absent for more than two consecutive days.

Payment of Sick Leave

An employer must pay for a day’s sick leave: the wage the employee would ordinarily have received for work on that day on the employee’s usual pay day