Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act No. 75 of 1997)Sectoral DeterminationsSectoral Determination 12 : Forestry Sector, South AfricaPart E : Leave25. Sick leave |
| (1) | For the purpose of this clause "sick leave cycle" means the period of 36 months employment with the same employer immediately following— |
| (a) | when the forestry worker commenced work; or |
| (b) | the end of the forestry worker’s prior sick leave cycle. |
| (2) | During every sick leave cycle, the forestry worker is entitled to an amount of paid sick leave equal to the number of days the Forestry worker would normally work during a period of six weeks. |
| (3) | Despite sub-clause (2), during the first six months of work, the forestry worker is entitled to one day’s sick leave for every 26 days worked. |
| (4) | An employer may, during the forestry worker’s first leave cycle, reduce the forestry worker’s entitlement to sick leave in terms of sub-clause (2) by the number of days’ sick leave taken in terms of sub-clause (3). |
| (5) | Where an employer, at the request of the forestry worker, pays fees for a forestry worker’s hospital or medical treatment, the fees paid may be set off against the forestry worker’s pay. |
| (6) | An employer is not required to pay the forestry worker in terms of this clause if the forestry worker has been absent from work for more than two consecutive days or on more than two occasions during an eight week period and, on request by the employer, does not produce a medical certificate stating that the forestry worker was unable to work for the duration of the forestry worker’s absence on account of sickness or injury. |
| (7) | Within the scope of their professional expertise, a medical certificate in terms of sub-clause (6) may be provided by— |
| (a) | a medical practitioner; |
| (b) | a clinic nurse practitioner; |
| (c) | a traditional healer; |
| (d) | a community health worker; |
| (e) | a psychologist; |
| (f) | any other person who is certified to diagnose and treat patients and who is registered with a professional council established by an Act of Parliament; or |
| (g) | any other health professional authorized to diagnose medical conditions. |
| (8) | If it is not reasonably practicable for a forestry worker who lives on the employer’s premises to obtain a medical certificate, the employer may not withhold payment in terms of sub-clause (1) unless the employer provides reasonable assistance to the forestry worker to obtain the certificate. |