Leave accrual is the gradual build-up of an employee's leave entitlement as they work. Rather than the full year's leave being available at once, it is earned over the leave cycle.
What it means
Under the BCEA the annual leave entitlement is at least 21 consecutive days, or one day for every 17 days worked, accruing through the leave cycle. As the employee works, their balance grows; as they take leave, it reduces. Any positive balance left when employment ends must be paid out.
Where it fits in
Leave accrual is primarily an HR tracking concept, but it touches payroll at termination, when the outstanding balance becomes a leave payout. Opaido does not track leave balances in the product today, so this is reference content describing the BCEA rules rather than a feature - but the payout it leads to is a real payroll component.
Key rules
- Leave builds up over the leave cycle as the employee works.
- The BCEA minimum is 21 consecutive days a year, or one day per 17 worked.
- The balance grows with service and reduces as leave is taken.
- Any positive balance is paid out as a leave payout on termination.
