April holiday hack | How SA workers can get 12 days off using just four leave days

With the upcoming April public holidays just around the corner, South African workers still have time to take full advantage of securing 12 consecutive days off by planning their leave wisely and using just four days of annual leave.

Unlike other months, April offers several public holidays just days apart, including Friday, April 18 (Good Friday), Monday, April 21 (Family Day), Sunday, April 27 (Freedom Day), and Monday, April 28, declared a public holiday because Freedom Day falls on a weekend.

A recent Gallup report highlighted the need for a break, revealing that 36% of the South African workforce "experiences high daily stress levels, while over 71% of workers are disengaged or actively disengaged at work, indicating widespread burnout".

The upcoming holidays could offer a chance for workers to recharge with a lengthy break. By aligning their leave with the public holidays, workers can enjoy a relaxing 12-day getaway to unwind and connect with loved ones.

So how to Maximise your leave days

To take full advantage of the April holidays you can take leave on April 22, 23, 24, and 25 (Tuesday to Friday). By combining these four leave days with weekends and public holidays, you get an uninterrupted break from April 18 to April 30 — a full 12 days off.

However, to ensure that your leave is approved, these are some of the things you need to do: