Working Time Rules: South Africa
South Africa: standard working hours, overtime, rest, annual leave, and record-keeping rules - a practical overview, not legal advice.
Statutory working time
Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (s.9), an employer may not require or permit an employee to work more than 45 hours per week. On a 5-day week this means a maximum of 9 hours per day; on a 6-day week, 8 hours per day.
Overtime
Overtime may be worked only by agreement, and is capped at three hours a day and ten hours a week. It is paid at no less than one and a half times the employee’s wage.
Rest periods
At least 12 consecutive hours of daily rest between ending and recommencing work, and at least 36 consecutive hours of weekly rest, which must include Sunday unless otherwise agreed. An employee who works continuously for more than five hours is entitled to a meal interval of at least one continuous hour.
Record-keeping
Employers must keep a record of each employee’s name and occupation, the time worked, the remuneration paid, and the date of birth of any employee under 18. Records must be kept for three years from the date of the last entry.
What to check before you rely on this
- The current statutory limits, reference periods, and any opt-outs.
- Sector or collective-agreement rules that may override the defaults.
- How overtime is authorised, recorded, and compensated.
- What working-time records you must keep and for how long.