DPSA Working Hours

Application

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act applies to all employers and workers, but not –

• members of the –
  • National Defence Force,
  • National Intelligence Agency, or
  • South African Secret Service; or
• unpaid volunteers working for charity.

The section of the Act that regulate working hours does not apply to:

• workers in senior management
• sales staff who travel and regulate their own working hours
• workers who work less than 24 hours in a month
• • workers who earn in excess of an amount stated in terms of  section 6 (3) of the Act
  • workers engaged in emergency work are excluded from certain provisions.

See

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act

  Applies to all employers and workers and regulates leave, working hours, employment contracts, deductions, pay slips, and termination

Maximum Working Hours

Based on Legislation in Section 9, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Compressed Working Week

• 45 ordinary hours a week
• 10 hours’ overtime a week
• 5 days a week

Based on Legislation in Section 11, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Averaging of Working Hours

• an average of 45 hours a week
• an average of 5 hours’ overtime a week

Based on Legislation in Section 12, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Meal Breaks

• reduce meal intervals to 30 minutes
• eliminate meal intervals for workers who work less than 6 hours a day

Based on Legislation in Section 14, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Rest Periods

• 12 hours each day; and
• 36 consecutive hours each week (must include Sunday, unless otherwise agreed)

Based on Legislation in Section 15, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Night Work

• get an allowance, or
• work reduced hours, and
• have transport available to them.

Based on Legislation in Section 17, of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act