How much December leave does a domestic worker get?

It comes from their annual leave — at least 3 weeks (15 working days for a 5-day week, 18 for a 6-day week) a year, which most workers take in December.

Can I make my worker take leave during a festive shutdown?

A shutdown normally comes off annual leave, but it must be agreed and planned with the worker in advance, ideally set out in the contract — not imposed at the last minute.

Do public holidays count as leave days in December?

No. Public holidays like Christmas, the Day of Goodwill and New Year's Day stay paid public holidays. They don't consume annual-leave days, even if they fall inside the worker's leave.

Is December leave paid?

Yes. Annual leave is paid at the worker's normal wage, ideally before they go. It can't be swapped for cash except as a payout when employment ends.

Compliance guide

How does December leave and a festive shutdown work for a domestic worker?

Short answer

A domestic worker is entitled to at least 3 weeks' paid annual leave a year, and December is the most common time to take it. If your household closes over the festive period and the worker is off, that time off normally comes from their paid annual leave — but it must be agreed, and the public holidays inside the period (Christmas, Day of Goodwill, New Year and others) stay paid public holidays, not leave days. Plan the dates with the worker in advance, and remember leave is paid before they go, not docked.

The annual-leave entitlement behind December

A full-time domestic worker gets at least 3 weeks (21 consecutive days, counting their ordinary working days) of paid annual leave a year — 15 working days for a five-day week, 18 for a six-day week. December is when most households and workers take it. The leave is paid: the worker receives their normal wage for the leave days, ideally before they go, and it can't be replaced with cash except as a payout when employment ends.

A festive shutdown comes off annual leave — by agreement

If you close the household for, say, two weeks in December and the worker doesn't work, that time generally comes off their paid annual leave. The key word is agreement: you should plan the shutdown dates with the worker rather than spring it on them, and ideally set the practice out in the contract. If the worker doesn't have enough accrued leave to cover the whole shutdown, you can't force unpaid leave on them without agreement — discuss it.

Public holidays stay separate

Public holidays inside the festive period — typically 16, 25 and 26 December and 1 January — are not annual-leave days. A public holiday that falls during the worker's leave doesn't consume a leave day; the worker keeps it. And if the worker works any of those public holidays, that day is paid at double, separate from leave entirely. See our public-holiday pay guide for the festive cluster.

Planning it fairly

The fair, lawful approach: agree the December leave or shutdown dates with the worker well ahead of time, confirm how many of their annual-leave days it uses, keep the public holidays as paid public holidays, and pay the leave wage before they go. Record the leave taken so the year's balance is clear. A little planning avoids the classic December disputes about who owed what. Compliance tool, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much December leave does a domestic worker get?: It comes from their annual leave — at least 3 weeks (15 working days for a 5-day week, 18 for a 6-day week) a year, which most workers take in December.
Can I make my worker take leave during a festive shutdown?: A shutdown normally comes off annual leave, but it must be agreed and planned with the worker in advance, ideally set out in the contract — not imposed at the last minute.
Do public holidays count as leave days in December?: No. Public holidays like Christmas, the Day of Goodwill and New Year's Day stay paid public holidays. They don't consume annual-leave days, even if they fall inside the worker's leave.
Is December leave paid?: Yes. Annual leave is paid at the worker's normal wage, ideally before they go. It can't be swapped for cash except as a payout when employment ends.

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Leave entitlements overview Public holiday & festive pay Part-time leave (pro-rata)Compliance check

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Dignita is a compliance tool, not legal advice. Figures are based on current South African legislation; confirm with a labour-law professional for your situation.