🏖️ BCEA Leave Entitlements

Leave Calculator
South Africa 2025

Calculate your leave entitlements according to BCEA. Track annual leave, sick leave, family responsibility leave, and calculate your leave payout value.

21 Days
Annual Leave
30 Days
Sick Leave/3yr
3 Days
Family Leave
Free
Calculator

Leave Calculator

Calculate your BCEA leave entitlements and accrued leave

Used to calculate leave payout value

BCEA Leave Types

Annual Leave

21 consecutive days (15 working days for 5-day week) per annual leave cycle. Must be granted within 6 months of end of cycle. Can accumulate up to 1 year.

Sick Leave

30 days over 3-year cycle (first 6 months: 1 day per 26 days worked). Medical certificate required for 2+ consecutive days or repeated absences.

Family Responsibility

3 days per year for birth of child, child illness, or death of close family member. Only for employees working 4+ days per week for 4+ months.

Leave Payout on Resignation

When leaving employment, accrued but unused annual leave must be paid out at your daily rate of pay. Sick leave is not paid out unless your contract specifies otherwise.

BCEA Leave Rights

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) guarantees minimum leave entitlements for all employees in South Africa. These are minimum standards - your employer may offer more generous leave.

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21 Days Annual Leave

15 working days for 5-day week employees

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30 Days Sick Leave

Over 3-year cycle after 6 months service

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3 Days Family Leave

Birth, child illness, family death

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4 Months Maternity

121 days maternity leave (unpaid by employer)

Leave Rules

Annual Leave Accrual

Leave accrues from day one. BCEA allows 1 day for every 17 days worked. Must be taken within 6 months of end of leave cycle.

Leave During Notice Period

Employer can't force you to take leave during notice. Unused leave must be paid out at resignation or dismissal.

Sick Leave Proof

Medical certificate required for 2+ consecutive days or if employer has reason to doubt illness.

Public Holidays 2025

12 public holidays in SA. If you work on a public holiday, you're entitled to double pay or a day off. Public holidays don't count as annual leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer refuse my leave request?

Yes, for operational reasons, but they must grant leave within 6 months of end of your leave cycle. They cannot unreasonably refuse or accumulate leave indefinitely.

What happens to unused leave when I resign?

Accrued annual leave must be paid out at your daily rate. Sick leave is NOT paid out unless your contract specifically provides for this.

Is maternity leave paid?

Employers are not required to pay during maternity leave. However, you can claim UIF benefits (up to 60% of salary) for up to 121 days.