In South Africa, it’s important to adhere to employment laws surrounding working hours and overtime regulations to remain compliant and boost employee satisfaction. Learn more about standard working hours, overtime regulations, and employer responsibilities in South Africa.
Capital City
Cape Town, Pretoria & Bloemfontein
Currency
South African Rand
(
R
)
Timezone
SAST
(
GMT +2
)
Payroll
Monthly
Employment Cost
2.00%
In South Africa, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) sets clear guidelines to ensure fair working hours for employees. Here's an overview:
The BCEA caps standard working hours to 45 hours per week. Employees cannot be compelled to work beyond this limit unless they voluntarily agree to overtime. Overtime is capped at 3 hours per day and 10 hours per week. Exceeding these limits can lead to legal consequences for employers.
Certain industries have tailored working hour regulations:
These sectors may have agreements that differ from standard working hours, but they must still comply with overarching labor laws.
Employees earning above the BCEA earnings threshold of R261,748.45 per annum (effective from 1 April 2025) are not automatically entitled to the BCEA's provisions on working hours, overtime, meal intervals, and rest periods. However, this does not mean they can be forced to work unreasonable hours without compensation. Such terms should be clearly outlined in their employment contracts.
Full-time employment is typically defined as working 40 to 45 hours per week. This standard applies across most industries, ensuring consistency and fairness in employment practices.
Overtime refers to any work beyond the standard 45-hour workweek. Employees must agree to work overtime, and it should be compensated accordingly.
The legal maximum is 3 hours per day and 10 hours per week. Employers exceeding these limits without proper compensation may face legal actions.
Overtime pay is calculated as follows:
Employers and employees can agree to compensatory time off instead of monetary payment, but this must be mutually agreed upon.
Employees are entitled to:
Employers must ensure these rest periods are adhered to, promoting employee well-being and compliance with labor laws.
Night work is defined as work performed between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Employees working night shifts regularly (more than once a week or at least five times a month) are entitled to:
For weekend work, particularly on Sundays, employees are entitled to double their normal wage rate or compensatory time off, as agreed upon.
Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That’s the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:
Disclaimer
THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Playroll does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect Playroll’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. Playroll makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.
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FAQS
The standard is 9 hours per day and 45 hours per week for employees working a five-day week.
Employees can work a maximum of 3 hours per day and 10 hours per week in overtime.
Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate, or double the rate for work on Sundays and public holidays.
Employers may face legal actions, including fines or compensation claims, for non-compliance with working hour regulations.
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