Dismissing without following procedure

2024-08-08T11:22:38+02:00

Sooner or later the labour law catches up with employers who fail to follow proper disciplinary procedure and to provide good reason for dismissals. This is because section 188 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) gives the employer the onus of proving that it has been procedurally and substantively fair in dismissing employees. The Labour [more…]

Dismissing without following procedure2024-08-08T11:22:38+02:00

Where the employee is unable get on with fellow employees (incompatibility) – How to manage this

2024-06-12T09:19:02+02:00

An employer is entitled to insist on reasonably harmonious relationships within its business. An employee may not act in a way which results in disharmony or disruption and a breakdown in relationships at work.

“Incompatibility” refers to, for example, an employee not fitting in with the organisational values of the employer, an inability to work in [more…]

Where the employee is unable get on with fellow employees (incompatibility) – How to manage this2024-06-12T09:19:02+02:00

What happens when an employee refers a dispute to the CCMA or a bargaining council?

2024-06-05T09:46:21+02:00

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) and Bargaining Councils are important bodies in South Africa that handle disputes between employers and employees.

When an employee refers a dispute to the CCMA or a bargaining council, employers need to understand the process and their obligations.

This guide aims to provide essential information for employers in such [more…]

What happens when an employee refers a dispute to the CCMA or a bargaining council?2024-06-05T09:46:21+02:00

Faking sick leave in South Africa – what employees should know

2024-04-15T09:43:13+02:00

South African employers can fire their staff members for faking sick leave.

In Hans v Montego Pet Nutrition [2024], where the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (the CCMA) had to determine whether an employee’s attendance at a social occasion whilst booked off on sick leave warranted their dismissal.

Jacques van Wyk and Andre van Heerden from Werksmans Attorneys said [more…]

Faking sick leave in South Africa – what employees should know2024-04-15T09:43:13+02:00

Constructive Dismissal – Let’s explain

2024-04-11T10:17:18+02:00

What is constructive dismissal?

Constructive dismissal is where an employee terminates the contract of employment with or without notice because the employer made continued employment intolerable for the employee. Constructive dismissal is simply a form of dismissal and requires the employee to prove that there was a constructive dismissal, before the employer must prove that the [more…]

Constructive Dismissal – Let’s explain2024-04-11T10:17:18+02:00

Every Employer Needs Labour Law Expertise

2019-10-22T00:37:03+02:00

South African labour law is a minefield riddled with endless hidden dangers. That is, there are numerous labour acts, regulations, codes and determinations that are mainly focussed on protecting employees. Some of these provisions are so incomplete or vague that they are often interpreted very differently by the arbitrators and judges appointed to implement them.

All [more…]

Every Employer Needs Labour Law Expertise2019-10-22T00:37:03+02:00

No more “Boers” allowed in the workplace!?

2019-10-22T00:30:18+02:00

Racial tension and animosity are amongst the many social ills that form part of South Africa’s apartheid legacy. Eradicating these problems is made no easier by people’s prejudiced beliefs that often manifest in the use of derogatory, offensive and racist language. In recent times, there have been numerous incidents of people publicly using overtly racist [more…]

No more “Boers” allowed in the workplace!?2019-10-22T00:30:18+02:00

#sorrynotsorry: No freedom to falsely criticise your employer in the media

2019-10-22T00:26:59+02:00

In the matter of Joseph Nzimande and two others v Didben NO and Others, the applicants were dismissed for making false statements to the media, bringing the name of their employer into disrepute and failing to obey an instruction to them to raise their grievances through the recognised internal channels.

The applicants were employed by the [more…]

#sorrynotsorry: No freedom to falsely criticise your employer in the media2019-10-22T00:26:59+02:00

Lack of transport is no justification for late-coming and absenteeism

2019-03-07T10:03:56+02:00

Resource: Tony Healy & Associates

So, your car breaks down and you have no replacement; is your employer obligated to accommodate your absenteeism and late-coming that follows? No, they are not.

This was he scenario in the Labour Court review application in National Nuclear Regulator v the CCMA & others (Case number JR3104/12). The employee, a Senior [more…]

Lack of transport is no justification for late-coming and absenteeism2019-03-07T10:03:56+02:00

Ignoring CCMA Awards

2018-11-09T09:14:04+02:00

When the CCMA makes an award for the reinstatement of an employee who has been unfairly dismissed or suspended, it seldom goes down well. But what happens if the employer ignores the award?

In the case of Ilembe Outsourcing and Recruitment c.c. and others v Nosango (2018), the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) was faced with a [more…]

Ignoring CCMA Awards2018-11-09T09:14:04+02:00

Man who called colleague “swart man” living in apartheid past, ConCourt rules

2018-05-21T05:54:50+02:00

A man who called a colleague “swart man (black man)” over parking space at work has shown that he has not made a break with the country’s apartheid past, the Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday.

In a 27-page unanimous judgment, the Constitutional Court ruled that the order made by the Labour Appeal Court be set aside.

In [more…]

Man who called colleague “swart man” living in apartheid past, ConCourt rules2018-05-21T05:54:50+02:00

Monitoring communications in the workplace

2018-02-22T13:54:36+02:00

The Regulation of Interception of Communication and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act, 70 of 2002 (RICA) has become more commonly associated with cell phone sim card registrations. It is a generally unknown fact that RICA deals extensively with, in addition to the above, communications in the workplace.

What RICA regulates in the workplace

RICA regulates an [more…]

Monitoring communications in the workplace2018-02-22T13:54:36+02:00

CCMA has an eye on agriculture 18 000 more cases of a concern

2017-11-24T12:59:31+02:00

At a recent public meeting in Limpopo, a chief inspector of  the Department of Labour said that of  333 workplaces inspected 40 were not compliant with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

He said that an increase in CCMSA cases are also of concern. 18 000 more employers [more…]

CCMA has an eye on agriculture 18 000 more cases of a concern2017-11-24T12:59:31+02:00

Refusal to accept retracted resignations does not constitute dismissal

2017-11-13T12:02:43+02:00

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has ruled that that the withdrawal of resignation cannot have any effect unless the employer consents to such withdrawal. The enforcement of the resignation is therefore not an unfair dismissal and applicants have no claim as a result.

In the case [more…]

Refusal to accept retracted resignations does not constitute dismissal2017-11-13T12:02:43+02:00

CCMA to assist, on a means-tested basis, with enforcement of its awards

2017-09-07T09:11:35+02:00

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) issued a statement on Thursday to indicate that employees who have had awards issued in their favour but cannot afford the costs of enforcing or executing the awards (i.e. the sheriffs’ fees) can now approach the CCMA for assistance.

This service [more…]

CCMA to assist, on a means-tested basis, with enforcement of its awards2017-09-07T09:11:35+02:00
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