Long service leave in SA is for those who come to the end of their employment. It includes time off work for employees leaving the company and employees who choose retirement. Long service leave, or LSL, is the term given for paid and unpaid leave granted to employees who have worked for their employer for a minimum of 15 years. It is designed to allow employees an opportunity to spend quality time with their family and friends, enjoy life away from work, or seek medical attention.
Long service leave (or LSL) is a benefit available to most permanent South African workers. The leave is granted to workers who have completed at least 10 years of continuous service and are under the age of 60 years. The leave is granted for a specified number of months, or up to 31 years and 6 months.
Employees in South Africa are expected to work 10 years or more of service before receiving a long service leave. This 10-year rule applies to both public and private sector employees, although the public sector’s long service leave scheme differs slightly from the private scheme. A 10-year rule means that employees qualify for long service leave after completing 10 years of continuous service. South Africa is renowned for its service culture and long service leave, and this goes not just for the public service but the private sector. If you are an employee in the private sector, your long service leave entitlements are either determined by years of service or length of time of continuous employment.
In South Africa, the government offers long service leave awards to help employees transition well into retirement. Eligible employees are those who have worked for a minimum of 10 years and will receive a lump sum payout of 50% of their final salary for every year worked. However, there are some drawbacks to long service leave, such as it not being tax-free and employers having to pay employees during the leave.
