Accepting a job offer is more than agreeing to a salary figure. South African job seekers must assess total reward, contractual terms, and lifestyle implications to decide whether an offer truly meets their needs. Use this checklist to evaluate benefits, leave, flexibility and learning opportunities — and to prepare for negotiation with confidence.
Why a structured checklist matters
A checklist helps you:
- Compare multiple offers objectively
- Identify red flags (hidden costs, restrictive clauses)
- Quantify non-salary value (medical aid, retirement, leave)
- Build a negotiation plan grounded in market data
Before you begin, research market benchmarks and take-home pay assumptions: see Interview Preparation South Africa: How to Research Salary Benchmarks Before Your Interview and Cost-of-Living and Net Pay: Calculate Your Take-Home Salary in South Africa (SARS Considerations).
Quick evaluation categories
- Cash compensation (base, variable pay, allowances)
- Benefits & social security (medical aid, pension/provident, UIF)
- Leave & work-life (annual, sick, parental, study leave)
- Flexibility & location (remote/hybrid options, hours)
- Learning & career progression (training budgets, mentoring)
- Contract & security (probation, notice, termination, bonuses)
Refer to detailed guidance on total rewards, tax and benefits at: How to Evaluate a South African Job Offer: Total Rewards, Tax (SARS) and Benefits Explained and the specifics of UIF/pension/medical aid: Understanding UIF, Pension/Provident Funds and Medical Aid in SA Job Offers.
Offer Evaluation Checklist (Actionable)
| Item | What to check | Red flags | Weight (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Annual amount, payment frequency, currency | Vague ranges, "market-related" without benchmark | 5 |
| Variable pay / bonuses | Target % of salary, performance metrics, pay-out history | Discretionary, no clear targets or clawbacks | 4 |
| Allowances | Car, travel, cellphone, housing — taxable or not | Reimbursed poorly or capped too low | 3 |
| Medical aid | Employer contribution %, network, waiting periods | No employer contribution or poor network | 5 |
| Retirement savings | Employer contribution to pension/provident, vesting | Low/no employer contribution, long vesting | 5 |
| UIF & other statutory | Employer compliance, deductions | Missing UIF registration or unclear deductions | 4 |
| Annual leave | Days per year, accrual, carry-over rules | Less than statutory minimum or no carry-over | 4 |
| Sick & family leave | Sick days, medical certificates, family responsibility leave | Strict evidence requirements, unpaid sick leave | 4 |
| Parental leave | Maternity/paternity policy & top-up | No top-up or unpaid extended leave | 3 |
| Flexible work | Remote/hybrid policy, core hours, location flexibility | Rigid presence-only culture | 4 |
| Learning & development | Training budget, study leave, mentorship | No L&D budget or long-term career plan | 4 |
| Probation & notice periods | Length, evaluation criteria, termination terms | Unusually long probation, unfair notice | 4 |
| Restrictive clauses | Non-compete, non-solicit, IP ownership | Broad non-compete or light severance | 5 |
| Relocation support | Lump sum, temporary housing, paid move | No support for required moves | 3 |
Use the Weight column to prioritise items that matter most to you. Multiply each item’s weight by a simple score (0–5) to get an objective comparative score across offers.
Scoring example (how to use)
- Rate each item 0 (unacceptable) to 5 (excellent)
- Multiply by the Weight, add totals
- Compare offers by total score — this helps quantify trade-offs (e.g., lower base salary but higher benefits and learning budget).
Detailed checklist items & what to ask
Compensation & allowances
- Ask for a breakdown: base, guaranteed allowances, expected bonuses.
- Confirm whether allowances are taxable and whether fuel/travel is a reimbursement or fixed sum.
- If you are in a scarce-skill role, learn how to request market-related pay: Negotiating Scarce Skills Premiums in South Africa: When and How to Request Market-Related Pay.
Benefits, retirement & statutory contributions
- Request the exact employer contribution to medical aid and pension/provident funds.
- Confirm scheme providers, waiting periods and dependants covered.
- Ensure UIF registration and understand deductions; see Understanding UIF, Pension/Provident Funds and Medical Aid in SA Job Offers.
Leave & flexible working
- Check annual leave days, accrual, and carry-over policy.
- Confirm sick leave entitlements and family responsibility leave conditions.
- Ask about remote/hybrid policy, core hours, and expectations for in-office days.
Learning & career development
- Ask for a training/CPD budget, study leave days, and whether certifications are paid.
- Ask for a learning plan and regular performance reviews that tie to promotions.
- If negotiation is needed, use tailored scripts from: Negotiation Scripts for South African Candidates: Ask for More Pay, Medical Aid or Relocation Support.
Contract terms, probation & bonuses
- Confirm probation length, evaluation criteria, and what happens at the end.
- Review notice period clauses and bonus payment clauses carefully — see How Probation Clauses, Notice Periods and Bonus Structures Work in South African Contracts.
- Look for overly broad non-compete clauses or ownership of IP.
Negotiation & timing
- Do your homework on market data first: Interview Preparation South Africa: How to Research Salary Benchmarks Before Your Interview.
- Time your asks after you’ve received the written offer but before signing; guidance here: Timing Your Salary Conversation: When to Discuss Pay During South African Interview Processes.
- Use concrete requests: base salary increase, specific medical aid contribution %, or a set L&D budget. For scripts and phrasing see Negotiation Scripts for South African Candidates: Ask for More Pay, Medical Aid or Relocation Support.
Practical next steps
- Fill the checklist for each offer and compute scores.
- Run net-pay calculations to estimate take-home (SARS implications): Cost-of-Living and Net Pay: Calculate Your Take-Home Salary in South Africa (SARS Considerations).
- Prepare a negotiation email or conversation plan, and consider counteroffer strategies if needed: Counteroffer Strategies and How to Accept or Decline a South African Job Offer Professionally.
- Get unclear items in writing before you sign.
Final checklist summary (printable)
- Base pay broken down and benchmarked
- Bonus targets & payment history reviewed
- Medical aid and retirement contributions confirmed
- Annual and sick leave clarified
- Flexible work & commute impact assessed
- Learning budget and career progression plan documented
- Probation, notice and restrictive clauses understood
- Net-pay (SARS) and cost-of-living calculated
Evaluating an offer thoroughly protects your finances, career trajectory and wellbeing. Use this checklist to turn subjective impressions into objective decisions — and to negotiate from a place of knowledge and confidence.