Notice Pay Calculator (South Africa)
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate notice pay in South Africa — the BCEA ladder (1 week under 6 months; 2 weeks at 6-12 months; 4 weeks after a year), pay in lieu, and what notice can’t do.
Quick answer: BCEA notice: ≤6 months service = 1 week; 6-12 months = 2 weeks; over 1 year = 4 weeks (farm/domestic workers: 4 weeks after 6 months). Either side may pay in lieu; notice can’t run inside annual leave.
The BCEA Notice Ladder
| Service | Notice (either side) |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | 1 week |
| 6 months - 1 year | 2 weeks |
| Over 1 year | 4 weeks |
| Farm/domestic workers, 6+ months | 4 weeks |
Contracts may LENGTHEN notice (equally for both sides) but never shorten below the floor. Notice must be in writing; it cannot overlap annual leave; and dismissal still requires FAIR REASON AND PROCESS — notice pay never substitutes for fairness (the CCMA distinction that catches employers).
Worked Examples
Example 1 — pay in lieu. 3 years of service, R4,600/week, walked out same day: R18,400 in lieu + leave payout (+ severance if retrenchment).
Example 2 — resignation. Employee resigning after 2 years owes 4 weeks’ notice; leaving early lets the employer deduct equivalent remuneration only where lawful/agreed — but employers can’t force specific performance of work.
Example 3 — notice during leave. Serving notice while on annual leave is void for the overlap — the clock extends past the leave.
Beyond the Minimums
Senior contracts run 1-3 month notice both ways; garden leave is lawful at full pay. During notice: full remuneration and benefits continue, and retrenchment consultations can’t be short-circuited by notice payments. UIF: the UI-19 issues at the END of notice (worked or paid) — the date that starts benefit eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice is required in South Africa?
BCEA: 1 week (<6 months), 2 weeks (6-12 months), 4 weeks (1+ year) — contracts may extend equally, never reduce.
Can the employer pay instead of notice?
Yes — remuneration in lieu for the full period; the employee may also agree to waive working it.
Can notice run during annual leave?
No — the BCEA bars overlap; the notice period extends past the leave.
Does notice pay make a dismissal fair?
Never — substantive and procedural fairness are separate CCMA questions; notice compliance alone defends nothing.
What if I resign and leave immediately?
The employer may claim/deduct the equivalent remuneration where lawfully agreed — negotiated early releases beat walkouts.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026