Subpoenaed witnesses play a critical role in CCMA arbitrations, but they do not always testify as expected. When a witness turns against the party who called them, it can materially affect the outcome of a case. Understanding subpoenas and the option to declare a witness hostile is essential for effective case management. By Carl Ranger [...]
What Netflix’s Culture Teaches Us About Performance, Trust, and the Price of Excellence Every company loves to say, “We’re like a family.” It sounds warm, human, and safe. But let’s be honest, families don’t cut underperformers like a sports team would. Families forgive; teams compete. Families give you unconditional love; teams expect you to earn [...]
Disciplinary procedures must be both fair and efficient. Prolonged delays not only undermine workplace discipline but can also prejudice employers. The Labour Court judgment in Strydom v ArcelorMittal South Africa provides important guidance on how delay tactics, particularly those caused by employees, can justify unpaid suspension. By Carl Ranger Head of Training at Consolidated Employers [...]
This article examines whether an employer may dismiss an employee merely for referring to another person as a racist. It further analyses the key lessons arising from Commercial Stevedoring Agricultural Allied Workers Union obo Qomoyi v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and Others (CA18/2024) [2026] ZALAC 15. The judgment provides important guidance regarding workplace [...]
Pre-arbitration minutes play a critical role in arbitration proceedings. Once signed, they are binding agreements that define the issues in dispute, promote efficiency, and guide the commissioner. Employers often underestimate their legal weight - a mistake that can be costly. By Carl Ranger Head of Training at Consolidated Employers Organisation (CEO SA)
A key issue in misconduct matters is distinguishing between mere wrongdoing and conduct that warrants dismissal. This distinction becomes especially important in cases involving petty misconduct, where the real question is not whether misconduct occurred, but whether dismissal is fair, proportionate, and justified. Too often, employers adopt the view that “stealing is stealing” and insist [...]
Labour-law frameworks were historically developed around conventional office-based employment structures. However, workplace arrangements have increasingly shifted toward hybrid and remote models, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforced by rising fuel and commuting costs. As employers continue to accommodate flexible working arrangements, uncertainty persists about the extent of occupational health and safety obligations in home-based [...]
Underperformance is rarely resolved by rushing to discipline or dismissal. In most cases, identifying the cause and applying structured performance improvement measures leads to better outcomes for both the employee and the organisation. By Carl Ranger Head of Training at Consolidated Employers Organisation (CEO SA)
Zolile Maphosa’s favourite book is The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and that choice tells you more about him than any job title ever could. It’s not a book for people who want chaos, noise, or drama for entertainment. It’s for people who like a clear head, a steady pace, and a life that makes [...]
“He never signed a contract, so he’s just a casual.” It’s a common refrain, and a dangerous misconception. In South African labour law, the absence of a signature rarely means the absence of an employment relationship. By Carl Ranger Head of Training at Consolidated Employers Organisation (CEO SA)