OUR LEADERS
WORK HOURS
This is an overview. Please refer to the complete policies here:
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | HRManual@Montego
​Montego Pet Nutrition operates various working time arrangements depending on role and location.
Production employees work shifts on a rostered basis, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or public holidays. Shift times differ by department and location, for example:
Graaff-Reinet Dry Production:
• 06:00 – 14:00
• 14:00 – 22:00
• 22:00 – 06:00
Centurion Dry Production:
• 06:00 – 18:00 (4 days on, 2 days off)
• 18:00 – 06:00 (4 days on, 2 days off)
Security shifts:
• 07:00 – 19:00
• 19:00 – 07:00
SHEQ Cleaners:
• 06:00 – 14:00 and 14:00 – 22:00 (Mon–Fri), Saturdays 06:00 – 14:00
Production shift employees are required to be at their work area and ready to work at the start of the scheduled shift time. Where applicable, a shift handover allowance is paid to employees who arrive at least 15 minutes before their shift to prepare and complete handover duties.
Administrative employees work Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00, with a lunch break scheduled by management.
Hybrid employees work on-site three days per week (Wednesday plus two agreed days) from 08:00 to 17:00. On remote days, they must be available during core hours from 09:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 16:00, while remaining reachable for the full working day.
Remote employees work off-site but are required to attend the base office for five working days per month.
All employees must maintain punctuality, comply with attendance and time recording requirements, and be fully available during their agreed working hours.
Overtime must always be authorised in advance and will be compensated in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and company policy.
Consistent attendance, adherence to scheduled times, and responsiveness are essential across all work arrangements.
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CLOCKING/TIME KEEPING PROCEDURES
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) stipulates that the employer must record the working hours of all employees. All employees are thus required to either complete an attendance register or register on the company’s clocking system.
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Annual Leave
Montego Pet Nutrition provides paid annual leave to help employees rest and recharge.
5-day employees accrue 15 days per year (1.25 days per month).
6-day employees accrue 18 days per year (1.5 days per month).
Middle and Senior Management employees accrue 20 days per year (1.66 days per month).
Annual leave must be applied for at least two weeks in advance and approved by your Supervisor or Manager. If leave is not properly submitted and approved, your absence may be treated as unauthorised leave (AWOL), which could lead to disciplinary action.
A Block Leave system applies to production employees to ensure smooth operations. Each year, HR and Supervisors consult with employees to plan leave dates. Production employees may also take up to two days of ad hoc or emergency leave if they have a sufficient balance.
Leave can be taken in increments of half a day (0.5).
Remember to keep enough leave days for the annual December shutdown period, which is compulsory leave deducted from your balance.
Annual leave must be used within your 12-month cycle or within 6 months after it ends. Unused leave older than 18 months will expire.
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Unpaid Leave
If your paid leave (annual, sick, or family responsibility) has been used up, you can apply for unpaid leave. This is not automatic and must be approved by Management, taking operational requirements into account.
Unpaid leave can be taken in increments of half a day (0.5). It is not allowed during a notice period unless specifically approved.
Sick Leave
Montego Pet Nutrition supports employees during illness or injury with paid sick leave:
During the first 6 months: 1 day of sick leave for every 26 days worked.
After 6 months:
5-day employees receive 30 days over a 3-year cycle.
6-day employees receive 36 days over a 3-year cycle.
Your sick leave cycle starts on your first working day.
If you are sick, you must notify your supervisor or Manager within 2 hours of your shift starting.
A valid medical certificate is required after 2 consecutive days off or if you have been absent more than twice in 8 weeks. If no certificate is provided, the absence may be unpaid and could lead to disciplinary action.
Sick leave can be taken in half-day increments. Unused sick leave is not paid out when employment ends.
Family Responsibility Leave
Eligible employees receive 3 days of paid leave per year for family-related emergencies.
You qualify if you have been employed for more than 4 continuous months and work at least 4 days per week.
This leave may be used when your child (under 18) is ill, or in the event of the death of your spouse, life partner, parent, adoptive parent, grandparent, grandchild, child, adopted child, or sibling.
Family responsibility leave can be taken in half-day increments.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 4 months of maternity leave:
Less than 1 year of service: unpaid.
1–2 years of service: 50% of base pay.
More than 2 years of service: 100% of base pay.
Maternity leave starts up to 4 weeks before the expected due date or earlier if medically required.
No employee may return to work within 6 weeks after childbirth without a medical certificate confirming fitness to do so.
Leave applications must be completed in advance with the intended start and return dates.
Parental Leave
Employees who do not take maternity leave are entitled to 10 consecutive days of unpaid parental leave when a child is born or adopted.
This leave is available after 4 months of employment, and payment can be claimed from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
Public Holidays
Montego Pet Nutrition observes all public holidays.
If you are scheduled to work on a public holiday, you will be paid double your hourly rate for the hours worked.
If you are not scheduled but are requested to work, you will also be paid double your hourly rate.
A salary threshold applies; please contact HR for details.
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Overtime
Overtime is worked only when necessary and must be approved in advance by Management.
Below-threshold employees are paid 1.5 times the normal hourly rate for overtime and double time for public holidays worked.
Above-threshold employees are generally not paid for overtime but can take time off in line with company policy.
Managers will provide reasonable notice if overtime is required. Employees may not work alone in hazardous areas after hours.
If you have any questions about leave or overtime, please speak to your Supervisor or the HR Department.
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