Explore the key employment-law, payroll and hiring issues to check before building a team in Botswana. Local rules and sectoral conditions should be confirmed before contracts are issued.
01Employment agreements
The relevant framework includes the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2025, effective 1 September 2026. Confirm written terms, probation, fixed-term restrictions, job duties, workplace language and any mandatory employment registrations. Documents may need to be prepared in English and Setswana.
02Working hours & pay
The 2025 reform consolidates employment and labour relations rules; reconfirm working-time, overtime and rest protections under the new regime.
03Leave & employee benefits
Review the new Act's leave, maternity and other protections before using legacy Employment Act entitlement tables.
04Payroll & statutory contributions
Recheck income-tax withholding, statutory benefits and payroll reporting under the law in force for the current pay period. Salary and payslip arrangements should take account of Botswana pula (BWP).
05Termination & offboarding
Confirm notice, lawful grounds for dismissal, disciplinary steps, any severance or end-of-service payments and record-keeping under the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2025, effective 1 September 2026. Collective agreements or employee category can change the process.
06Foreign hires & independent contractors
Check work authorization for non-citizens in Botswana. An independent contractor's status must reflect real working practices; review local invoicing, tax treatment and classification risk before contracting.