Part-Time Domestic Workers: Are You Paying Them Correctly?

Part-Time Domestic Workers — Your Legal Obligations as an Employer

Many South African households employ domestic workers on a part-time basis — a cleaner who comes twice a week, a gardener every Saturday, a nanny three days a week. A common and dangerous assumption is that part-time domestic workers have fewer legal protections than full-time workers, or that the normal rules of domestic employment do not apply to them. This is incorrect. Part-time domestic workers are protected by the same legislation as full-time workers, with only a small number of specific exceptions based on hours worked. Getting this wrong exposes you to exactly the same legal and financial risks as non-compliance with full-time employment obligations.

The National Minimum Wage Applies to All Part-Time Workers

The National Minimum Wage of R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026 applies to every domestic worker without exception — full-time, part-time, live-in, live-out, daily, weekly or monthly paid. There is no reduced minimum wage for part-time workers. A worker who cleans your home for four hours every Tuesday must be paid at least R30.23 for each of those hours — R120.92 minimum for a four-hour session. Paying a flat daily rate below this threshold is a violation of the National Minimum Wage Act regardless of how informally the arrangement is structured.

UIF — The 24-Hour Threshold

UIF registration is required for any domestic worker who works more than 24 hours per month for a single employer. This threshold catches more part-time arrangements than employers realise. A worker who comes for six hours every Saturday works approximately 26 hours per month — above the threshold and requiring UIF registration. A worker who comes for four hours on alternate Saturdays works approximately eight hours per month — below the threshold and exempt from UIF. Count the actual hours worked per month carefully before concluding that UIF does not apply.

COID Applies Regardless of Hours

Unlike UIF, COID registration has no minimum hours threshold. Every domestic worker — even one who works two hours per week — must be covered by the Compensation Fund under COIDA. If a part-time worker is injured at your home during their working hours, you are personally liable for all costs if you are not registered. The part-time nature of the arrangement provides no protection whatsoever. Register for COID regardless of how few hours your part-time worker works.

Written Employment Contract

Sectoral Determination 7 requires a written employment contract for every domestic worker including part-time workers. The contract must specify the days and hours of work, the hourly or daily rate of pay, the method and frequency of payment, the leave entitlements applicable, and the notice period for termination. A verbal arrangement is not legally sufficient even for a worker who comes once a week. The written contract protects both parties and is the first document a Department of Employment and Labour inspector will request.

Leave Entitlements for Part-Time Workers

Part-time domestic workers are entitled to annual leave, sick leave and — if they work four or more days per week and have been employed more than four months — family responsibility leave. Annual leave accrues at one day per 17 days worked for part-time workers. Sick leave accrues at one day per 26 days worked in the first six months, then at the proportional six-week entitlement for the 36-month cycle. These entitlements are smaller in absolute terms than for full-time workers, but they exist and must be tracked correctly.

Payslips Are Required

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires a written payslip every time you pay your domestic worker — including part-time workers. The payslip must show the period of work, the number of hours worked, the rate of pay, the gross amount, any deductions, and the net amount paid. A cash payment without a payslip is a BCEA violation regardless of how informal the arrangement is. MyHelper generates compliant payslips for part-time domestic workers automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register a worker who only comes once a month?

If they work more than 24 hours in that single visit, UIF registration is required. COID registration is required regardless of hours. A written contract and payslip are required regardless of hours or frequency.

Can I pay a part-time worker a flat daily rate instead of an hourly rate?

Yes, provided the flat daily rate equals or exceeds the minimum wage for the hours actually worked. If your worker works eight hours and the minimum wage is R30.23 per hour, the minimum daily rate is R241.84. A flat rate below this is unlawful.

What notice period applies to part-time domestic workers?

The same notice periods apply — one week for workers employed six months or less, four weeks for workers employed more than six months. The part-time nature of the work does not reduce the notice period.

If I have multiple part-time workers does each one need to be registered separately for UIF?

Yes. Each domestic worker is a separate employment relationship and requires separate UIF and COID registration. The 24-hour threshold applies per employer per worker — a worker who works 15 hours per month for you and 15 hours per month for a neighbour is below the threshold for each employer individually and neither employer is required to register for UIF for that worker.

MyHelper manages payroll, payslips and compliance for part-time domestic workers. R399 once-off registration plus R249 per month. Get started today →