Annual Leave
Quick Answer
What is Annual Leave?
Annual leave is the paid holiday entitlement of at least 21 consecutive days per annual leave cycle for full-time employees.
Annual Leave explained
The BCEA also sets sick leave (30 days over 36 months), maternity leave (4 months, UIF-funded) and family responsibility leave. Leave not taken does not simply vanish on dismissal – it pays out.
Who it applies to: All employees covered by the BCEA.
Cost: Paid time – budgeted into the cost of employment.
Related terms and guides
Official source: Department of Employment and Labour
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
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Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.