On 24 May, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation and announced that the Cabinet has decided to move the entire country from lockdown alert level 4 to level 3 on 01 June. This will be the biggest shift towards “some kind of normal” South Africans have seen since the hard lockdown was announced in March of this year. Ramaphosa did, however, acknowledge that some COVID-19 “hotspots”, being amongst other, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni and Ethekwini, to name a few, would...

Employers should be aware that mental illness in the workplace can lead to decreased productivity, poor work quality, and even compromised workplace safety. Employers should take proactive steps to identify and manage mental illness in the workplace. As South Africa was placed in lockdown since 26 March 2020, to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is no wonder that, after a few weeks, many people have been experiencing heightened feelings of uncertainty, unrest and loneliness...

Did you know that throughout level 5 lockdown, all automotive movement came to a legendary standstill?  Most employers and employees across all occupations were urged to stay home and to work remotely from home.  The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa investigated data where they found that the sales of motor vehicles dropped with 98,4%.  This affected the year-to-date volumes downwards with 32,1%.  This had a ripple effect on all traders where...

During the unprecedented times that we find ourselves living in, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has issued a Directive which has been applicable since the 11th May 2020 that records and updates us on the way forward with regards to access to the CCMA in light of the COVID-19 lockdown. As per the CCMA Directive: Access to the CCMA during the COVID-19 lockdown issued by the Director of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, Mr Cameron Sello...

The past week has arguably delivered one of the biggest changes during the ongoing lockdown with Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel gazetting new directions on 14 May 2020, allowing for the complete re-opening of e-commerce sales. The change does however not come without some restrictions, as retailers will continuingly not be allowed to sell tobacco and liquor.  Despite South Africa being one of the only countries to shut down it's online trading during a lockdown...

The national lockdown, and subsequent risk-adjusted strategy for economic activity, has had many clients’ question on what rights unions are entitled to during this time, and how such rights are to be exercised. We discuss the various union’s rights hereunder. Section 21 Unions are bound to exercise their rights in terms of Section 21 of the Labour Relations Act, as amended (hereinafter referred to as “the LRA”). Unions seeking rights in the workplace must first send a letter stating they seek...

The COVID-19 lockdown has had a devastating impact on the South African economy which has been felt by every industry in the labour market. One of the industries most impacted is domestic workers. Employers have been urged by the government to pay their employees’ full salary during lockdown, however many households find themselves in a financial position where they cannot afford to pay a domestic worker’s salary during lockdown. This has resulted in many domestic workers being placed on a...

The COVID-19 Pandemic and consequent lockdown measures have resulted in many companies facing unprecedented times and experiencing many financial and other challenges, due to them being either: Unable to operate their business, as a result of the restrictions imposed during the lockdown, and subsequently unable to generate an income or provide work to their staff (cannot pay their salaries); orAble to operate their business, but at a severely reduced scale, and subsequently cannot provide...

The current level four of lockdown has led to businesses being flooded with information regarding the newly implemented regulations. During this downpour of information, businesses are trying to keep head above water, between the news, social media and fake news. This article will provide a compact guide to level four of lockdown and the impact it will have on businesses. It is, however, no easy feat to try and summarize government regulations when the goalposts are being moved on an almost...

South Africa and the world at large are currently going through a devastating economic downturn as a result of COVID-19. Employers and employees alike are living through an incredibly uncertain time with the nationwide lockdown. Whilst many efforts have been implemented by the Government to lessen the dire economic impact of the lockdown, money from the relief scheme is not always immediately available. For the businesses that have been unable to work during the lockdown, it is important to...