- By Admin
- 10/28/2026 13:28:12
BCEA 2026: New Rules for Flexible Work Hours
South African employers who rely on on-call, flexible or zero-hours arrangements are facing a simple message from the proposed Basic Conditions of Employment Act amendments: if the hours are not written down and recorded, they will be hard to defend.
Bills published in February 2026 would require written minimum and maximum hours and notice for shift changes. For firms in construction, engineering, hospitality, security and professional services that use flexible staffing, this is a shift from informal scheduling to documented scheduling, with the record-keeping duties that follow.
This article sets out what the proposals mean in practice for HR managers and business owners, how timesheets and leave records support compliance, and what to prepare while the bills progress. It is general operational guidance and not legal advice; always check the current status of the legislation.
Key takeaways
- The February 2026 bills would require written minimum and maximum hours and notice for shift changes.
- On-call and flexible-hours arrangements will need clearer documentation than many firms keep today.
- Timesheets should evidence hours worked, cancellations and leave for each person.
- Scheduling and record-keeping duties rise together, so systems matter as much as policies.
- Confirm the final legal position with an employment law specialist before changing contracts.
Why this matters right now in South Africa
South Africa has a large flexible workforce, and many small and mid-sized employers manage it through messages, calendars and memory. That works until a dispute arises over what was agreed, how much notice was given for a shift change or whether cancelled hours should be paid. Written, recorded hours remove most of that argument.
The proposals also arrive in a market where compliance is already stretched across employment equity, POPIA and tax obligations. Employers cannot afford a separate manual process for every rule. A single record of hours, leave and scheduling changes reduces duplication and helps with whichever rule an inspector or the CCMA asks about.
What it means for HR managers and business owners using flexible or on-call staff
HR managers need contracts that state minimum and maximum hours and a clear process for shift changes. Business owners need confidence that what was worked, offered and cancelled can be shown quickly. Supervisors need a simple way to log changes and notice at the moment they happen rather than weeks later.
Three practical implications for your firm
Write down the hours framework
Record minimum and maximum hours for each flexible role so scheduling decisions can be checked against what was agreed.
Log notice and cancellations
Capture when shifts change, how much notice was given and whether hours were cancelled, since these are likely to be disputed.
Link leave and hours
Keep leave, public holidays and worked hours in one record so entitlements and pay are consistent.
Spreadsheets, point tools, or a connected platform
| Capability | Spreadsheets | Point tools | Arcprojects.io |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours worked by person | Self-reported, often late | Captured, but not linked to scheduling | Timesheets by person, role and project with approval |
| Shift change and notice log | Messages and memory | Rarely recorded | Changes and cancellations recorded against the schedule |
| Leave and public holidays | Separate sheet | Another tool | Leave module linked to hours and capacity |
| Link to invoicing | Re-keyed by hand | Separate billing tool required | Approved time and expenses flow straight into the invoice |
| Audit trail | Fragile and version-dependent | Partial, split across tools | Full approval and change history retained |
| Total cost of ownership | Hidden in admin hours | Several subscriptions to maintain | One platform, one subscription |
How Arcprojects.io helps
Arcprojects.io timesheets and leave management evidence hours worked, cancellations and leave. For South African employers they create an audit-ready record that supports the written hours and notice requirements being proposed.
- Set up roles, rates and hour limitsConfigure each flexible role with agreed minimum and maximum hours so timesheets can be compared with the framework.
- Capture hours and changes as they happenStaff and supervisors log hours, shift changes and cancellations from mobile or desktop, with approvals recorded.
- Report on hours, leave and exceptionsUse reports to review hours against limits, leave balances and unusual patterns before payroll closes.
Get your hours records audit-ready
See how timesheets and leave management work for South African employers with flexible staff.
Request a demo"If it was agreed but not recorded, you will struggle to prove it was agreed."
"We used to schedule our on-call technicians over WhatsApp. When a dispute about cancelled hours came up, we had no clean record. A proper timesheet and schedule log solved it before the next pay run."
HR manager's flexible-hours compliance checklist
- List every role on on-call, flexible or zero-hours arrangements.
- Confirm each has written minimum and maximum hours.
- Define how much notice is given for shift changes.
- Record cancellations and who authorised them.
- Link leave and public holidays to the same hours record.
- Review time records weekly before payroll.
- Keep records for the period your legal adviser recommends.
- Monitor progress of the bills and update contracts when the final law is clear.
Frequently asked questions
How do I record on-call hours under the BCEA?
Log the hours on call, the hours actually worked and any shift changes or cancellations against each person, with a manager's approval. A consistent digital record is easier to defend than messages. Confirm the exact requirements with an employment law adviser. Further reading: BusinessTech.
What does BCEA section 9B require?
Commentary on the 2026 proposals refers to written minimum and maximum hours and notice for shift changes. Because the bills were still progressing, check the current text and status before relying on any specific wording. Further reading: BusinessTech.
Is there timesheet software for South African employers?
Yes. Look for software that records hours by person and project, handles leave and public holidays, supports approvals and works on mobile for staff who are not at a desk. Further reading: BusinessTech.
Make your hours records easy to defend
Whatever final shape the amendments take, South African employers who record hours, notice and leave consistently will be better prepared. The effort is modest compared with the cost of an unresolved dispute.
Arcprojects.io brings timesheets, expenses, leave, invoicing, resource planning, cost control and profitability reporting into one platform. Explore how the modules fit together on the features and benefits page, see which firms use it at who uses Arcprojects, or review pricing. You can also start a 30-day free trial and test it on one live project before you commit.