December Checklist for Domestic Worker Employers: Leave, Public Holidays and Bonuses
Plan December with your domestic worker: annual leave, the 16, 25 and 26 December public holidays, bonus agreements in writing, and a contract update.
Last checked: 15 Oct 2026 against SD7 and the public holidays page on gov.za.
December is busy for everyone. A short conversation with your domestic worker now saves misunderstandings later. Here's a checklist.
1. Agree annual leave dates early
SD7 gives at least three weeks' paid annual leave a year (clause 19). Agree the dates in writing. If a public holiday falls inside the leave on a normal working day, the worker gets an extra paid day (SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za)).
2. Know the December public holidays
16 December (Day of Reconciliation), 25 December (Christmas Day) and 26 December (Day of Goodwill). If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday after is a public holiday (Public holidays in South Africa (gov.za)).
- If the holiday falls on a normal working day and the worker doesn't work, pay the normal daily wage.
- Work on a public holiday is only by agreement, at at least double the daily wage (SD7 clause 18).
3. Bonus or "13th cheque": agree it and write it down
The guidelines published with SD7 say bonuses, transport allowances and increases are not regulated by SD7 and are open to negotiation (SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za)). If you agree a bonus, write it into the contract or a signed note so it's clear whether it's once-off or every year.
4. Check the wage against the current minimum
The national minimum wage is R30.23 an hour from 1 March 2026 (DEL National Minimum Wage flyer 2026 (labour.gov.za)). It's usually adjusted from 1 March, so plan ahead for the new year.
5. Update the contract
New hours, a new wage or extra duties? SD7 clause 9 says written particulars must be updated when terms change, signed by the employer, and kept.
6. Keep UIF up to date
Contributions are due before the 7th of each month, including over the holidays (DEL Basic Guide to UIF Contributions (labour.gov.za)).
How HouseholdSure SA helps
HouseholdSure SA is an online membership that helps households employ a domestic worker properly. Members get guided UIF capture with status tracking, employment contract templates their worker can view and sign, a secure document vault, basic legal support (general guidance and checklists, not legal advice; escalated matters are quoted separately by a partner) and WhatsApp updates. We help with the admin, but we can't guarantee the outcome of any registration, claim or dispute. You can update and store the contract online so it's ready when you need it.
Plans for household employers (prices include VAT where applicable):
| Plan | Monthly | Once-off setup | First payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer — Individual (1 worker) | R179 | R199 | R378, then R179/month |
| Employer — Duo (up to 2 workers) | R299 | R199 | R498, then R299/month |
| Employer — Team | R99 per active worker | R199 | R99 × workers + R199 (e.g. 1 worker R298; 3 workers R496) |
Cancel any time, with no penalty or early-termination fee: from My Membership in your account, or by emailing cancellations@householdsuresa.co.za. Your membership stays active until the end of the current billing period, and partial months aren't refunded unless the law requires it (Refund & Cancellation Policy, sections 3–4; Terms, section 12.1). Full details: householdsuresa.co.za/pricing
Ready to get it in order? Sign up as an employer or compare plans. Questions? WhatsApp +27 64 511 0503 or call 087 265 0015 (Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00).
Official sources (last checked: 15 Oct 2026)
- SD7 Government Gazette text, PDF (gov.za)
- Public holidays in South Africa (gov.za)
- DEL National Minimum Wage flyer 2026 (labour.gov.za)
- DEL Basic Guide to UIF Contributions (labour.gov.za)
- Sectoral Determination 7: Domestic Worker Sector (gov.za)
General information, not legal advice. Laws and amounts change; check the official sources linked above. Last checked: 15 Oct 2026.
HHSSA Team · HOUSEHOLDSURE SA (PTY) LTD · Reg. 2026/656725/07 · Information Officer, HouseholdSure SA · info@householdsuresa.co.za · Privacy
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