How does sick leave work in South Africa?
As stated by the Department of Labour, ‘workers may take the number of days they would normally work in a 6-week period for sick leave on full pay in a 3 year period’. Employers can also insist on proof of illness (doctors’ note and so on) before paying a worker for sick leave.
APPLICATION:
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act applies to all employees and workers, but;
- Members of the National Defence Force,
- National Intelligence Agency,
- South African Secret Service, or
- Unpaid volunteers working for a charity.
See, Basic Conditions of Employment Act
APPLICATION FOR SICK LEAVE:
The provisions for sick leave do not apply to;
- Workers who work less than 24 hours in a month,
- Workers who receive compensation for an occupational injury or disease,
- Leave over and above that provided for by the Act.
NUMBER OF SICK DAYS:
As stated by the Department of Labour, ‘workers may take the number of days they would normally work in a 6-week period for sick leave on full pay in a 3 year period’.
However, during the first 6 months of employment, workers are only entitled to one day of paid sick leave for every 26 days worked.
PROOF OF ILLNESS:
An employer may require a medical certificate before paying workers who are absent for more than 2 consecutive days, or who are absent often (more than twice in an 8-week period).
That is your basic guide to sick leave in South Africa. Be sure to read our article on Annual Leave, and how it works.
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