Leave: accrued days are paid out, so track them

The Employment Act sets out leave entitlements, and the rules around what happens to untaken leave are worth knowing.

Annual leave

Employees accrue paid annual leave under the Act. Contracts and collective agreements frequently improve on the statutory minimum.

Untaken leave is paid out

When the employment relationship ends, employees are entitled to payment in lieu of untaken statutory annual leave and other accrued entitlements, in addition to any notice pay and, where applicable, severance benefits.

Those are separate items. Severance does not absorb leave pay, and leave pay does not absorb notice.

Why tracking matters

Employers are expected to track leave balances and run a final payroll including all accrued entitlements to the last day of employment.

If your employer does not maintain a clear record, keep your own. Note days taken and any requests refused.

Maternity leave

Female employees are entitled to maternity leave under the Act, with associated protections.

Sick leave

Provided under the Act, generally subject to medical certification.

Public holidays

Botswana observes public holidays declared by the government, with pay implications where you are required to work.

Documentation at termination

Clear documentation — termination letters and settlement calculations — matters for demonstrating what was agreed and closing the relationship cleanly.

Ask for the settlement calculation in writing, itemised. A single total figure tells you nothing about whether each component was correctly worked out.

Supplemental benefits

Private medical insurance is among the most valued non-statutory benefits in Botswana, given variation in public healthcare access. It is not required by law, so if it matters to you, raise it at offer stage.

Where to raise a problem

The Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development.