The south African working week is usually from Monday to Friday. Since there are employment laws in place, the common worker here cannot exceed 9 hour shifts in a day, or 45 hours in a week. Alternatively, employers may run a 6 day week. If you offer a 5 day week to your staff, you entitle them to 15 days of paid holiday per year. If you run a 6 day week, that allowance increases to 18 days per year.