Table of Contents
Introduction
Key Considerations for Employing in South Africa
Benefits
Employment Contracts
Onboarding
Leaves
Payroll & Taxes
Termination Process
Invoice Schedule
Get Started with Omnipresent
1. Introduction
Hiring employees in South Africa requires navigating local employment laws, benefit expectations, and structured payroll systems. Omnipresent’s Employer of Record (EOR) service streamlines these processes to ensure compliance and a smooth employee experience.
2. Key Considerations for Employing in South Africa
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR, R)
Languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, and others (11 official languages)
Employer Costs: Low (~2% of salary)
Termination Complexity: Hard
Onboarding Timeline: ~18 calendar days
Payroll Frequency: Monthly
3. Benefits
What We Offer
Mandatory:
Workers’ Compensation
Unemployment Insurance
Supplementary:
Health Insurance (via SafetyWing)
Dental & Vision Coverage
Travel Insurance
Retirement Allowance (recommended but not provided)
Health Insurance
Public healthcare exists but is inadequate; supplementary health insurance is expected by most employees.
Omnipresent offers two plans via SafetyWing, covering hospitalization, ER visits, prescriptions, diagnostics, and more. Premium plans include dental and vision.
Retirement
No mandatory private retirement plan. Omnipresent recommends offering a retirement allowance to allow personal investment.
4. Employment Contracts
Contract Types
Indefinite-term contracts
Fixed-term contracts
Part-time contracts
Requirements
Written contracts are mandatory
Language: English
Signature: Simple electronic signature
Backdating: Not permitted
Contract Customisation
Customisable: Extra leave, additional sick days
Not customisable: Overtime, restrictive covenants, stylistic edits
Probation Period
Typically 3 to 6 months, based on job complexity
Always included except in case of employment transfer
5. Onboarding
Timeline
Approximately 18 calendar days, including:
Platform Setup
Right-to-Work Check
Employment Contract
Benefits and Payroll Enrollment
Registration & Approvals
No formal local registration required
Contracts can be signed as close as 24 hours before start date
Immigration & Visas
Omnipresent does not currently offer visa support through its entity
May provide visa support via local partners if needed
Right-to-Work
Identification (ID, passport, birth certificate) is required
Seniority may be recognized if transferred from another EOR
6. Leaves
Annual Leave
Minimum 15 working days/year
Must be used within 12 months of accrual
No carryover beyond the 12-month window
Maternity Leave
4 months total (starts 4 weeks before due date)
Typically unpaid unless otherwise agreed
Paternity Leave
10 consecutive days unpaid
Sick Leave
1 paid sick day for every 26 days worked during first 4 months
Afterward, up to 6 weeks (30 days) paid over 36 months (for 5-day workweeks)
Public Holidays (12 Days)
Includes New Year’s Day, Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Freedom Day, Workers’ Day, Youth Day, Women’s Day, Heritage Day, Day of Reconciliation, Christmas Day, and Day of Goodwill
7. Payroll & Taxes
Payroll Cycle
Monthly
Run: 1st to last day of month
Cut-off: 6th
Payment: Last working day of the month
Compensation
Minimum Wage: ZAR 25.42/hour
Extra payments (bonuses, commissions): Not required
Hourly wage employment is not supported by Omnipresent
Work Schedule
8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday
Employer Costs
Estimated at ~2% of salary
Use the OmniCalculator for specifics
8. Termination Process
Grounds for Termination
Misconduct (no notice)
Incapacity (e.g., performance issues)
Operational requirements (redundancy)
Mutual agreement
Process
Contact Omnipresent before any termination discussions
Submit request via OmniPlatform
Omnipresent ensures compliance with local laws
Notice Period
<6 months’ service: 1 week
6 months–1 year: 2 weeks
1 year: 4 weeks
Severance Pay
Typically 1 week’s salary per year of service
Usually applies only in redundancy cases
9. Invoice Schedule
Initial Fees
Setup Fees: Triggered when Terms are signed
Deposit: Due when the contract is ready for signing
Initial Salary Prepayment: Invoiced on employment start date
Monthly Invoicing
Invoiced monthly in arrears after payroll completion
Includes:
Labour cost
Omnipresent service fee
FX fees and deposit insurance (if applicable)
10. Get Started with Omnipresent
Omnipresent simplifies global hiring through compliant contracts, payroll, benefits, and HR support. Hire in South Africa with confidence and ease.