Use this leave days calculator South Africa to estimate how many leave days you have accrued and how many days you have left. It covers annual leave, sick leave, and family responsibility leave using common BCEA minimum rules.
What this leave days calculator covers
- Annual leave: a practical estimate of accrued leave within a 12-month leave cycle.
- Sick leave: entitlement across a 36-month cycle, based on your normal work pattern.
- Family responsibility leave: an eligibility check and remaining days for the current cycle.
Annual leave in South Africa (minimum rules)
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) sets a minimum annual leave entitlement of 21 consecutive days per annual leave cycle. For most employees, this equals three working weeks, such as 15 working days for a five-day week, or 18 working days for a six-day week. Your contract or bargaining council agreement can provide more.
How annual leave accrual usually works
Many payroll systems accrue annual leave pro-rata over the leave cycle. This means you build leave gradually through the year. The BCEA also allows alternative accrual methods by agreement, such as one day for every 17 days worked. Your employer’s policy and your employment contract should guide which method applies.
Sick leave cycles explained
Sick leave does not reset every year. Under the BCEA, sick leave generally runs on a 36-month cycle and is equal to the number of days you would normally work in six weeks. For a five-day week, that is typically 30 days per cycle. For a six-day week, it is typically 36 days per cycle. In the first six months of employment, different rules can apply, so confirm with your payroll policy.
Family responsibility leave
Family responsibility leave is limited and applies only if you meet certain conditions. Qualifying employees can take up to three days of paid family responsibility leave during each annual leave cycle. This leave is intended for specific events, such as the birth of a child or serious illness of a close family member, and it usually does not carry over.
Important notes before you rely on a leave calculation
- Company policy can be more generous than the BCEA minimum.
- Bargaining council agreements can set different entitlements.
- Public holidays can affect annual leave counting in some cases.
- Use your payslip or HR system for final confirmation.
FAQ: Leave days calculator South Africa
How many annual leave days do employees get in South Africa?
The BCEA minimum is 21 consecutive days per annual leave cycle, which commonly equals three working weeks based on your work pattern.
Does annual leave accrue monthly?
Many employers accrue leave monthly as a practical payroll approach. However, your contract or policy sets the details, and the BCEA also allows alternative accrual methods by agreement.
How does sick leave work in South Africa?
Sick leave usually runs over a 36-month cycle. The entitlement is generally equal to the days you normally work over six weeks.
How many days of family responsibility leave can I take?
Qualifying employees can take up to three days of paid family responsibility leave per annual leave cycle, subject to BCEA conditions.
Can my employer give me more leave than the BCEA?
Yes. Employers can offer more leave by contract, policy, or bargaining council agreement.
