COUNTRY

Employment contracts in Botswana may be written or oral and must include:

• names of the employer and employee,

• names and addresses of the next of kin of the employee,

• workplace location,

• responsibilities of the employer and employee,

• contract duration,

• salary details including amount, payment interval and bonuses,

• notice period and any conditions related to terminating the contract, and

• employee’s signature or thumbprint.

The standard workweek in Botswana is 48 hours a week over five or six days. Any work performed over 48 hours is considered overtime for which employees receive extra pay. Overtime is limited to 14 hours per week and is paid at 150% or 200% of the basic rate depending on when the overtime is performed.

Employees receive up to 14 days of paid sick leave in Botswana if they have a doctor’s certificate. The employee must inform the employer as soon as possible if they are absent from work for more than 24 hours.

Female employees are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave in Botswana. Six weeks of maternity leave is taken before the expected due date and the remaining is taken after the birth. Maternity leave can be extended by two additional weeks if there is a pregnancy-related illness.

Employers are not required to pay bonuses in Botswana but may elect to do so as part of their compensation package.

Employees in Botswana receive 15 days of paid leave each year, eight of which should be taken within six months of the time that they were accrued. The remaining days can be accumulated for up to three years.

In Botswana, the public holidays are:

• New Year's Day

• 2nd January

• Good Friday

• Saturday following Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Ascension Day

• Labor Day

• Sir Seretse Khama Day

• President's Day

• Tuesday following President's Day

• Botswana Day

• 1st October

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

Botswana has a universal healthcare system, but many employers still offer private options.

Employers must provide written notice and just cause when terminating a contract in Botswana. The notice period is equivalent to the pay period. Professional staff, like managers and executives, receive severance pay after 60 consecutive months of employment.