Episode 134: Employment Contracts In The Workplace. Why Do We Need Them?
SEESA Labour Legal Advisors, Arhana Ramdhew and Trishan Bisnath discuss the importance of an employment contract in the workplace. They explain the formal requirements when drafting contracts and the risks of not implementing employment contracts in the workplace. Click on the "play" button below to listen to our podcast! Should you require advice or assistance on how to draft and implement contracts in your workplace, please get in touch with your nearest SEESA office....
Overtime Work: Is It Voluntary Or Not?
Chapter two of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act regulates working hours and overtime. The regulations do not apply to the following: Senior managerial employees;Employees engaged as sales staff who travel to the premises of customers and who regulate their own hours of work;Employees who work less than 24 hours a month for an employer. Every employer in South Africa must regulate the working time of each employee; Under the provisions of any Act governing occupational health and...
Can An Employee Take Annual Leave During Any Period Of Notice Of Termination Of Employment?
In terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), any party to an employment contract must give notice of termination. The notice period is determined by the employment period, for example: One week, if employed for six months or less;Two weeks, if employed for over six months but less than one year;Four weeks, if employed for one year or more;Four weeks, if the employee is a farm worker or a domestic worker who has been employed for over six months. What happens when an employee has...
Maternity Leave And Miscarriage.
Sadly, some pregnancies end in miscarriages or stillbirths. Employers are often confused about how to assist employees who suffer a miscarriage and are unsure what leave these employees would be entitled to. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act Section 25 deals with Maternity leave and stipulates as follows: An employee is entitled to at least four consecutive months' maternity leave, normally unpaid and claimed from UIF, unless there is an agreement for paid leave in place. They may...
DYK – The Scope Of Application Of The POPI Act Includes Employee Information?
In Section 1 of the POPI Act, "personal information" is defined as information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person, and where applicable, an identifiable, existing juristic person. There is a common misconception that this definition only applies to the information of an entity's customers or suppliers. As an employer in possession of employees’ personal information such as contact details, financial information and employment contracts, it is the employer’s duty to ensure that...
Episode 133: What Constitutes Retirement Age, And When Does A Contract Of Employment Terminate Due To Retirement Age?
SEESA Legal Advisors, Kopano Moloto and Natan Dzombeni discuss how an employer should handle the termination of an employee due to retirement age. They also focus on how retirement age is determined and alternative manners of termination if there is no agreement or contract stipulating the prescribed retirement age. Click on the "play" button below to listen to our podcast! Want to know more about Retirement Age and contracts? Contact your nearest SEESA office or Legal Advisor. Alternatively,...
Using Personal Information For The Conduct Of Proceedings In Any Court Versus POPIA.
Section 11(1)(c) of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) states that information can be processed if there is an obligation imposed by law on the responsible party. Sections 12(2)(d)(iii); 15(3)(c)(iii), and 18(4)(c)(iii) of POPIA; state that information of a data subject can be collected from another source; can be further processed; and that the data subject does not have to be made aware of such processing where non-compliance is necessary; “if such...
What Does The Consumer Protection Act Define As Quality Service?
Under Section 55 of the Consumer Protection Act, should a supplier or service provider undertake to perform any service for a consumer, then the consumer has the right to expect: High-quality services;Performance and completion of those services within a reasonable period of time;Timely notice of any unforeseen and unavoidable delay in the rendering of services;The use and/or installation of quality goods that are free of defect and reasonably suited to the purpose for which they are intended...
Can I Issue A Complaint To The Information Regulator?
Section 74 of the Protection of Personal Information Act states that any person or juristic person may submit a written complaint to the Information Regulator alleging interference with their personal information. Interference with any person or juristic person’s personal information may refer to a breach in the confidentiality, integrity or availability of their personal information. Interference with any person or juristic person’s personal information may be caused, amongst other things, by...
DYK – There Are Different Turnover Thresholds For Different Sectors?
The Codes of Good Practice provide that entities with a turnover over R50 million are generic entities. An entity with a turnover between R10 million and R50 million is a Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE), and an entity with a turnover less than R10 million is an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME). The Transport Sector Codes provide that entities with a turnover over R35 million are generic entities. An entity with a turnover greater than R5 million but not more than R35 million is a Qualifying...