How leave pay is calculated
Accrued this cycle = annual entitlement × share of the 12-month cycle completed Balance = accrued + carried over − taken Daily rate = monthly salary ÷ 4.333 ÷ working days per week Leave pay = balance × daily rate
Leave cycles run in 12-month periods from your start date. The calculator also shows the alternative BCEA basis of one day’s leave for every 17 days worked, which applies where agreed and for the pro-rata part of an incomplete cycle on termination.
Worked example
Resigning in November with 5 days taken this cycle
The leave cycle restarted on 1 March 2026. About two-thirds of the 15-day entitlement has accrued, less the 5 days taken.
Breakdown
- Annual entitlement OfficialBCEA minimum on a 5-day week
- 15 days
- Current leave cycle
- 1 March 2026 – 1 March 2027
- Share of the cycle completed
- 68.22%
- Days accrued this cycle
- 10.2 days
- Plus days carried over
- 0 days
- Less days taken this cycle
- 5 days
- Balance
- 5.2 days
- Daily rate (monthly ÷ 4.333 ÷ days per week)
- R923.15
- Leave pay
- R4 830.72
Frequently asked questions
How many leave days am I entitled to?
At least 21 consecutive days of annual leave per 12-month leave cycle — 15 working days if you work a 5-day week, or 18 on a 6-day week. By agreement it can be one day for every 17 days worked.
Do I get paid for unused leave when I resign?
Yes. On termination, the BCEA requires your employer to pay you for annual leave due but not taken, including pro-rata leave for the current cycle where it applies.
How is my daily rate calculated?
Your monthly salary is converted to a weekly wage by dividing by 4.333, then divided by the number of days you work per week.
Can unused leave be forfeited?
The BCEA requires statutory leave to be granted within six months after the end of the leave cycle. Whether older leave is still owed depends on your contract, company policy and the facts — get advice if large amounts are involved.