Leave for domestic workers: annual, sick, family and maternity
How much leave your domestic worker is legally entitled to under the BCEA, how it accrues, and how to keep proper records.
The BCEA gives every domestic worker statutory leave. Getting the amounts and records right avoids disputes and back-pay claims when the employment ends.
Annual leave
Workers are entitled to 21 consecutive days of paid annual leave per year — which works out to 15 working days for someone on a five-day week (or one day of leave for every 17 days worked). Leave is taken by agreement and must be paid at the normal rate.
Sick leave
Over each 36-month cycle, a worker is entitled to the number of days they would normally work in six weeks — 30 days for a five-day week. In the first six months of employment, sick leave accrues at one day for every 26 days worked.
Family responsibility leave
After four months of employment, a worker who works at least four days a week is entitled to three days of paid family responsibility leave per year — for example when a child is born or sick, or on the death of a close family member.
Maternity leave
A worker is entitled to at least four consecutive months of maternity leave. This is unpaid under the BCEA, but she can claim maternity benefits from the UIF — another reason to keep your UIF up to date.
| Leave type | Entitlement (5-day week) |
|---|---|
| Annual | 15 working days per year |
| Sick | 30 days per 3-year cycle |
| Family responsibility | 3 days per year |
| Maternity | 4 months (UIF benefits claimable) |
Keep the records
You must keep leave records for at least three years. LabourMate tracks each worker's balances automatically and logs every day taken.
Become compliant in minutes
LabourMate handles contracts, payslips, UIF and leave for your domestic worker — as easy as online banking.