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.