Labour

Case Referred To The CCMA, Applicant Passed Away Before Arbitration – What Now?

Case Referred To The CCMA, Applicant Passed Away Before Arbitration – What Now?

An interesting matter which we’ve recently had to deal with is whether an executor/executrix of a deceased person will be able to proceed with a dispute in the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on behalf of the deceased for the benefit of his/her estate? In the matter of Estate Late Mavuna & Another v National Sorghum Breweries Ltd (1996) 17 ILJ 785 (IC), the Court held that: ‘The stage of litigation, against which the right to transit a claim from a deceased to...

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Episode 86: OHS Directives – Vaccinations In The Workplace. Can An Employee Be Forced?

Episode 86: OHS Directives – Vaccinations In The Workplace. Can An Employee Be Forced?

SEESA Labour Legal Advisors, Azel Ferreira and Daniel Brandsen discuss the importance of the new OHS directives as published on the 11th of June 2021. They focus on the implementation of vaccinations in the workplace and whether vaccinations can be made mandatory. Click play to listen to our podcast! Need further information regarding vaccinations in your business? Contact your SEESA Legal Advisor, alternatively leave your contact details on our website for a SEESA representative to contact...

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Episode 85: When Do I Grant Sick Leave For COVID-19 Related Absence?

Episode 85: When Do I Grant Sick Leave For COVID-19 Related Absence?

Being in the midst of the third COVID-19 wave, absences in the workplace are rising again. In this podcast, SEESA Labour legal advisors Martin Engelbrecht and Diandra Cowie provide direction on sick leave payment in relation to COVID-19 absences. They also advise what documentation an employee should provide to the employer when he or she tests positive for COVID-19.  Click play to listen to our podcast! Please contact your nearest SEESA office should you have further questions with...

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Employees Participating In Unprotected Strikes

The Labour Appeal Court had to consider whether an employer is entitled to dismiss employees that comply with the terms of an ultimatum or whether such compliance constitutes a waiver of the right to dismiss. First Illegal strike: AMCU members participated in an unprotected strike during May 2013. Samancor, the employer, issued a final written warning to these striking employees. The warning was valid for 12 months. Second Illegal strike: AMCU members again participated in an unprotected...

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The Dawn Of Virtual Consultations

The Dawn Of Virtual Consultations

Since the first COVID-19 lockdown was implemented on the 26th of March 2020, we have been forced to adapt to a rapidly developing digital environment. Business keeps on running, and the work never stops, whether it being in the form of work from home or working at the place of employment. With face to face consultations between employer and employee/s not always possible, either due to national restrictions under the various alert levels or the contribution that it has in the rise of COVID-19...

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The Union And The Workplace

The Union And The Workplace

It often occurs that an employer receives the dreaded email that his employees have joined a union. The union will inform the employer that his employees have joined their union together with a list of demands and/ or requests. This then leads to the employer asking, “what now?” It is important that the employer must remember that the right of an employee to join a union is embedded in Section 18 of the Constitution of South Africa. Although the employee has the right to freedom of association...

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FAQ -Mandatory Vaccines – Does this apply to my workplace?

FAQ -Mandatory Vaccines – Does this apply to my workplace?

Certain Workplaces refers to the fact there are some workplaces that are excluded from the application of the provisions of the Consolidated Directions on Occupational Health and Safety Measures. These Directive does not apply to: Workplaces excluded from the OHS Act in terms of Section 1(3) of the OHS Act. These are: Mines, mining Areas or works in terms of the Minerals Act, ships, boats or cranes in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act; In respect of which another Minister has issued a...

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An Overview On Dealing With Insolent And Disrespectful Employees

An Overview On Dealing With Insolent And Disrespectful Employees

COVID-19 has resulted in many emotional, physical and psychological issues, for example, the issue of job security, retrenchments, the loss of loved ones, financial difficulties, dealing with the aftereffects of COVID, the loss of income and most importantly, the uncertainty of the future. Employees are struggling to deal with their personal problems, and employers are faced with insolent and disrespectful employees. The fact that they are not in the position to solve their personal problems...

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE

IMPORTANT NOTICE: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE

The amended and consolidated directive on occupational health and safety measures in certain workplaces was published on 11 June 2021. IMPORTANT: Employers must undertake a risk assessment within 21 days of the new directives coming into effect (11 June) and decide whether, and to what extent vaccinations will be made mandatory in the workplace. In terms of previous COVID-19 directives, employers were already obliged to draw up Return to Work Plans (“RTW Plan”). SEESA assisted its clients by...

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Disciplinary Measures – Sleeping On Duty Not Necessarily a First-time Dismissal Offence

Disciplinary Measures – Sleeping On Duty Not Necessarily a First-time Dismissal Offence

As winter creeps in, employers are faced with the dilemma of having to discipline employees who were sleeping whilst on duty. Even though there are but a few things as rejuvenating as a “power nap”, most employers would agree that only a few things reek of unprofessionalism as much as an employee who is sleeping on duty. But the question remains, is it possible to dismiss an employee who was caught sleeping on duty. In terms of the Labour Relations Act, it is inappropriate to dismiss an...

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