There are many upcoming public holidays in 2019 and Employers are encouraged to plan accordingly in order to avoid any operational issues arising, especially Employers who run shifts and/or full time operations.

The upcoming public holidays are:

Human Rights Day, Thursday, 21 March 2019;

Good Friday, Friday, 19 April 2019;

Family Day, Monday, 22 April 2019;

Freedom Day, Saturday, 27 April 2019;

Workers’ Day, Wednesday, 1 May 2019;

Youth Day, Sunday, 16 June 2019 (Public Holiday, Monday, 17 June 2019);

National Women’s Day, Friday, 9 August 2019;

Heritage Day, Tuesday, 24 September 2019;

Day of Reconciliation, Monday, 16 December 2019;

Christmas Day, Wednesday, 25 December 2019;

Day of Goodwill, Thursday, 26 December 2019; and;

New Year’s day, Wednesday, 1 January 2020.

Employers must remember that leave is discretionary and measures and agreements and policies can be implemented to avoid operational risks during public holidays and long weekends etc.