Are you aware how severe health and safety non-compliance penalties can be? Do you know how you are at risk of incurring these penalties, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act)? Maybe? Maybe not? And here lies the problem. Sometimes, it isn’t willful disobedience of health and safety legislation (although sometimes it [more…]
In Massmart Holdings v Reddy and Others [2022] 4 BLLR 337 (LAC), the employee was employed as an audit manager by Massmart Holdings (the Company). As part of his duties, the employee, together with his line manager and subordinates, was responsible for preparing a risk assessment plan, which would be used to develop the [more…]
Economists have very recently predicted that South Africa has a 45% risk of entering into a recession. Such a recession would come at the worst time for the country’s economic recovery. The many businesses that are in survival mode and the employees who have been under the constant threat of job losses occasioned by the [more…]
An increase in monthly pensions in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act is on the cards.
The employment and labour department published the proposed increase in Government Gazette 48187 for comment.
The department plans to increase monthly pensions payable in terms of Section 49(4) and 54(1) (a), (b), (c) and (d) by 7.5% [more…]
As a business owner and subsequent employer, you may be wondering: do you need a Letter of Good Standing from the Compensation Fund (COIDA)? The short and simple answer is yes. However, it is crucial to look at what a COIDA Letter of Good Standing (LoGS) is, what you need to get one, and how you can go about [more…]
Umgeni Water v Naidoo and Another (11489/2017P) [2022] ZAKZPHC 72 (15 December 2022)
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”[1]
An employee, one Sheldon Naidoo (SN), who worked at Umgeni Water was appointed as part of the employer’s graduate programme. One of the requirements for admission was that the candidate must possess [more…]
As companies prepared for the December break, questions about bonuses, leave, working on public holidays, misconduct and other issues were asked.
Bonuses are usually given at the discretion of the employer. It is, however, important to check an employee’s employment contract to ascertain the exact agreement on bonuses. If there is no clause [more…]
An employer refuses to accept a sick note/medical certificate from an employee signed off by a clinic sister and withholds the employee’s pay. What can the employee do?
Section 22(5) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) provides for sick leave and, more specifically, paid sick leave. However, what happens when your employer requests proof of incapacity [more…]
The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, Act 130 of 1993, largely governs work-related compensation claims and related matters in South Africa.
The main objective of the Act is to provide compensation for disablement caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained or contracted by employees or for death resulting from injuries or diseases and provide [more…]
Health and safety are paramount in any workplace, and regular inspections are crucial to ensure that employees are working in a safe and secure environment. In this blog post, we will examine the importance of health and safety inspections in the workplace and how they can help to prevent accidents and injuries, so to ensure [more…]
Large-scale retrenchments could occur throughout 2023, as economists predict a 45% chance of a recession in South Africa.
According to Hugo Pienaar and Abigail Butcher at Cliffe Dekker Hofmyer (CDH), a recession would come at the worst time for South Africa’s economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic – with struggling businesses the most likely to be affected.
In [more…]
It is essential for employers to fully understand all aspects of disciplinary and incapacity procedures, and the legal requirements and the rights involved.
The manner in which an employer handles challenges in respect of an employee’s conduct and capacity in the workplace can impact on a case right up to the arbitration, Labour Court, Labour Appeal [more…]
South African labour laws recognise that an employer may require work performance of an acceptable standard, and that employees should be protected against unfair treatment. The principles outlined here serve as a guideline only, as workplaces differ in size and nature, and these aspects may determine the appropriate steps to be taken in cases of [more…]
Discrimination based on one’s appearance is an ever-changing area of law that impacts employees and potential candidates worldwide. Subconscious appearance preferences that are founded [more…]
In a media release on 31 August 2022, the Department of Employment and Labour (Department) confirmed that the signing into law of the Employment Equity Amendment Bill, 2020 (the Bill) is imminent. The President is expected to assent to the Bill between now and the end of the year. The amendments are due to come [more…]
Transnet t/a Transnet Freight Rail v National Union of Metalworkers of SA on behalf of Manku & others (2021) 42 ILJ 1948 (LAC)
The first and second respondents were employees of the Appellant Transnet and were employed on one-year fixed-term contracts in East London. Transnet renewed the employees’ contracts nine and four [more…]
Section 8(1) of the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 clearly states that “every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the Health and Safety of his/her employees.” However, people perceive risks differently.
Health and Safety Risk Assessments are one of the [more…]
The dismissal of employees who have reached and worked beyond the normal retirement age has been found to be fair, says Werksmans Attorneys.
Employers do not waive their rights to enforce the normal retirement age by serving salary adjustment letters after their employees reach the normal age of retirement.
Facts
This was the issue considered by the Labour [more…]
