Version 2.0.0. Effective 15 June 2026.
Because your card is authorised but not charged until the job is complete, many cancellation outcomes are handled by releasing the authorisation hold rather than processing a refund. Where a partial charge applies (Worker compensation for late Employer cancellations), only the compensation amount is captured from the authorisation; the remainder of the authorisation is released by the Employer's bank within 5–10 South African business days. Sizoro never receives the released portion — it goes straight from the authorisation hold back to the Employer's available balance.
1. Employer cancellation at least 24 hours before start (Tier 1)
The card authorisation hold is released. The Employer is never charged. The Worker receives no booking payment and no strike is recorded.
2. Employer cancellation 12 to 24 hours before start (Tier 2)
The card is charged 25% of the labour subtotal as Worker compensation. The remainder of the authorisation is released by the Employer's bank within 5–10 South African business days. The captured 25% routes 100% to the Worker's Paystack subaccount — Sizoro takes no commission on the compensation amount.
3. Employer cancellation 4 to 12 hours before start (Tier 3)
The card is charged 50% of the labour subtotal as Worker compensation. The remainder of the authorisation is released by the Employer's bank within 5–10 South African business days. The captured 50% routes 100% to the Worker's Paystack subaccount — Sizoro takes no commission on the compensation amount.
4. Employer cancellation less than 4 hours before start (Tier 4)
The card is charged 75% of the labour subtotal as Worker compensation. The remainder of the authorisation is released by the Employer's bank within 5–10 South African business days. The captured 75% routes 100% to the Worker's Paystack subaccount — Sizoro takes no commission on the compensation amount.
5. Employer cancels after the Worker has arrived or the job has started (Tier 5)
This opens a dispute for admin review. The card authorisation is kept alive (re-authorised at T-24h before booking start if needed) while the admin reviews evidence and decides the Worker's compensation. The Worker then has 24 hours to appeal the admin's decision before it takes effect. After the appeal window closes, the admin's resolution is executed against the existing card authorisation — that can be a full capture with the default split, a partial capture for Worker compensation with the remainder released by the Employer's bank, or a void of the authorisation depending on the admin's findings. See the Dispute Policy for the full appeal flow.
6. Worker cancellation at least 24 hours before start (Tier 6)
The card authorisation hold is released. The Employer is never charged. No Worker strike is recorded.
7. Worker cancellation 12 to 24 hours before start (Tier 7)
The card authorisation hold is released. The Employer is never charged. A minor Worker cancellation strike is recorded.
8. Worker cancellation less than 12 hours before start or Worker no-show (Tier 8)
The card authorisation hold is released. The Employer is never charged. A major Worker cancellation strike is recorded. Three major Worker cancellation strikes within any rolling 90-day period suspend the Worker pending review.
9. Force-majeure admin override (Tier 9)
Both parties are held harmless. The card authorisation is voided so the Employer is never charged, and Sizoro funds a one-time Paystack transfer to the Worker's Paystack subaccount for the labour subtotal from Sizoro's own balance. This path is reserved for genuine emergencies (medical, severe weather, transport failure, safety incidents, platform error) and is the only case where Sizoro absorbs the cost. The override is recorded with admin identity, timestamp, and supporting evidence.
10. Records and timing
Cancellation records, reasons, capture amounts, Paystack capture and void references, subaccount references, Worker compensation amounts, strike records, and admin actions are retained for support, audit, tax, and dispute purposes for at least seven (7) years to support SARS, FICA, and POPIA compliance. Where a refund is processed (rather than the more common authorisation release), Paystack typically settles back to the original card within five (5) to ten (10) South African business days, depending on the issuing bank and card network.
