Domestic Worker Leave and Rights Explained

Annual leave

Every domestic worker is entitled to 15 working days (3 weeks) of paid annual leave per year. This is 1 day of leave for every 17 days worked. Leave must be taken within 6 months of the anniversary date. You cannot pay the worker instead of giving leave (except when employment ends).

Sick leave

In every 3-year cycle, a domestic worker gets paid sick leave equal to the number of days they normally work in 6 weeks. For a 5-day worker, that's 30 days over 3 years. In the first 6 months of employment, they get 1 day for every 26 days worked.

• A medical certificate is needed if absent for more than 2 consecutive days
• Or if absent on a Monday/Friday or before/after a public holiday
• You cannot fire someone for being genuinely sick

Maternity leave

4 consecutive months of maternity leave. The employer does not have to pay salary during this time, but the worker can claim from UIF (38-60% of salary). Leave can start 4 weeks before the due date. The worker must return to the same job after maternity leave.

Notice periods

If you want to end the employment, you must give written notice:

• 1 week notice if employed less than 6 months
• 2 weeks notice if employed 6 months to 1 year
• 4 weeks notice if employed more than 1 year
• You can pay the worker instead of making them work the notice period

Written contract

You must give your domestic worker a written contract. It must include: the worker's name, employer's name, job description, working hours, pay amount and pay day, leave entitlements, and notice period. Free templates are available from the Department of Labour.