Employers may find themselves in a difficult situation in distinguishing the fine line between unfairly discriminating against employees and upholding their reasonable code of conduct and policies within the workplace. In the past, it has been easy to discipline employees in terms of the so-called “zero tolerance” policies for substance and alcohol use and abuse. [...]
Tensions in the workplace often arise from employees feeling unfairly discriminated against upon the realisation that they are unequally paid for work of equal value. Employers must protect employees' rights and dignity, while employees should be well-informed about labour legislation to prevent unnecessary conflicts regarding the terms and conditions of employment. In the recent Labour [...]
The recent CCMA ruling in Solidarity obo Members / Sibanye Platinum Mine and Others ([2024] 10 BALR 1126 (CCMA)) reaffirms the critical role threshold agreements play in maintaining stability and fairness within collective bargaining frameworks. From an employer’s perspective, the decision clearly endorses majoritarian principles and highlights the necessity of adherence to collective agreements. Case [...]
South African Labour Law does not provide for compulsory payment of bonuses unless the employer falls within the ambit of a specific Bargaining Council or if a particular company policy makes such a provision. Therefore, without a Policy or Bargaining Council regulating a particular industry, an employee has no automatic right to a bonus. The [...]
Working overtime is essential to an employer’s operational requirements in specific industries within our labour-sphere. If an employee refuses to work overtime when their employer requests it, it is necessary to consider the lawfulness and reasonableness of the instruction. Although the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA) regulates the payment for overtime [...]
Due to our prevalent economic challenges, the topic of retrenchment has become a regular discussion topic in South Africa. It is more significant for employers to thoroughly understand the retrenchment process and the options available for consideration when challenged with a decision to retrench as their last resort. During retrenchment consultations, the generally accepted fair [...]
The CCMA is often faced with matters where employees claim that their employer has made certain unlawful deductions from their salaries. This article seeks to unpack and clarify the current position in our law regarding deductions by an employer and the jurisdiction of the CCMA to hear such disputes. Until recently, the CCMA dealt with [...]
The origins of employment relationships derive from principles of Common Law and remain the basis of employment relationships in labour relations as they exist today. Many of the provisions of the Common Law employment contract have subsequently been amended and regulated by adopting legislation that sought to remedy the inadequacies of the Common Law, such [...]
Section 213 of the Labour Relations Act defines a collective agreement as: “A written agreement concerning terms and conditions of employment or any other matter of mutual interest concluded by one or more registered trade unions, on the one hand, and, on the other, had a) one or more employers; b) one or more registered [...]
Settlement agreements are an integral part of the dispute resolution process. Whenever there is a dispute, whether in the CCMA or internally in the workplace, the parties to the dispute are encouraged to settle disputes to avoid drawn-out and costly dispute processes. Parties can negotiate independently or get representatives to negotiate on their behalf. In [...]