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    Leave & BCEA

    Sick leave

    BCEA sick leave is 30 days per 36-month cycle (or the number of days worked in a 6-week period per cycle for new employees).

    Full definition

    Sick leave under Section 22 of the BCEA is 30 working days per 36-month cycle for a 5-day-a-week employee (36 days for a 6-day week). During the first 6 months of employment, an employee is entitled to 1 day of sick leave for every 26 days worked. A medical certificate can be required for absences longer than 2 consecutive days or on Mondays/Fridays.

    See also

    BCEA
    The Basic Conditions of Employment Act sets the minimum working hours, leave and pay conditions for South African employees.
    Annual leave
    BCEA gives every employee 21 consecutive days (15 working days on a 5-day week) of paid annual leave per year.

    Automate Sick leave in your payroll

    Payroll Africa handles Sick leave calculations automatically for South African employers — SARS-aligned for 2026/27. From R90/month.

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    Let payroll handle Sick leave for you

    Payroll Africa calculates it automatically every month for South African employers — SARS-aligned, with payslips, EMP201 and IRP5 included.

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