Sunday and Public Holiday Pay Rates Explained
Working on a Sunday or public holiday means you should earn more than your normal rate. But the rules are different depending on whether you normally work on those days. Here's a simple breakdown.
Key Takeaways
- Sunday work (if you don't normally work Sundays) = 2x your hourly rate
- Sunday work (if you normally work Sundays) = 1.5x your hourly rate
- Public holiday work = 2x your hourly rate (or normal rate + a day off)
- You cannot be forced to work on a public holiday unless you agreed
- South Africa has 12 public holidays per year
Sunday pay rates
The rate depends on whether Sunday is a normal working day for you:
- If you DON'T normally work Sundays: you earn double (2x) your normal hourly rate
- If you DO normally work Sundays (like retail or hospitality): you earn 1.5x your normal hourly rate
- Your contract may specify a higher rate — the law sets the minimum
Public holiday pay rates
If you work on a public holiday, you earn at least double your normal daily rate. Alternatively, your employer can pay you your normal rate AND give you a paid day off within the next month. If the public holiday falls on a day you would normally work and you DON'T work, you still get paid your normal daily rate.
South Africa's 12 public holidays
These are the days where special pay rates apply:
- 1 January — New Year's Day
- 21 March — Human Rights Day
- March/April — Good Friday and Family Day
- 27 April — Freedom Day
- 1 May — Workers' Day
- 16 June — Youth Day
- 9 August — National Women's Day
- 24 September — Heritage Day
- 16 December — Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December — Christmas Day
- 26 December — Day of Goodwill
Can you refuse to work on a public holiday?
Yes, unless your contract specifically requires it. Your employer must ask you and you must agree. If you do agree to work, you must be paid the double rate. If you refuse and your employer fires you, this could be unfair dismissal.
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