Posts by bonita
Dismissal of employees who carry ‘weapons’ while striking
The Labour Appeal Court in Pailprint (Pty) Ltd v Lyster N.O and Others had to determine whether the presence of weapons (sticks, PVC pipes, sjambok, golf club and an axe) during a strike will render picketers unprotected against disciplinary action. Introduction In the matter between Pailprint (Pty) Ltd v Lyster N.O and Others[1] the Labour…
Read MoreFurther developments on resignation “WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT”
In the matter of Naidoo and Another vs Standard Bank SA Ltd and SBG Securities (Pty) Ltd (Case No: J1177/190) the Labour Court held that when an employee resigns with immediate effect, the employment relationship ends and accordingly an employer has no power to discipline an employee if such employee has resigned before the date…
Read MoreEmployees can no longer unilaterally resign with immediate effect
Coetzee v The Zeitz MOCAA Foundation Trust and others [2018] ZALCCT 20 Previous case law In the case of Mtati v KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd (2017) 38 ILJ 1362 (LC), the Labour Court found that, after having resigned by giving notice, an employee is entitled to terminate his or her contract of employment by way…
Read MoreDamages for referring to an employee as “a female employment equity” candidate
Chowan v Associated Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd & others In its decision in Chowan v Associated Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd & others (2241/16 23/3/2018), the Gauteng Local Division High Court awarded delictual damages to Adila Chowan, former group financial manager of Associated Motor Holdings (AMH), who had been referred to by the chief executive officer…
Read MoreIs your organisation ready for POPI?
Introduction The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPI”) was signed on 19 November 2013 and Gazetted on 26 November 2013, which means it is now law. POPI has significant consequences for all organisations that process the personal information of individuals or juristic persons. A number of companies, despite the introduction of POPI,…
Read MoreThe basic conditions of Employment Amendment Bill
A number of potential legislative changes were published in the Government Gazette on 17 November 2017 and form part of concerted conduct by the Department of Labour in attempting to bring about changes to the labour market and to labour relations and employment law. These are the amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act…
Read MoreThe Labour Laws Amendment Bill
After much speculation and waiting, history was made in Parliament on 28 November 2017, when the National Assembly (“NA”) passed the Labour Laws Amendment Bill (“Bill”), which introduced the right to ‘parental leave’, ‘adoption leave’ and ‘commissioning parental leave’, all three types of leave which were not statutorily regulated. The aforementioned Bill also provides for…
Read MoreThe Labour Laws Amendment Bill
After much speculation and waiting, history was made in Parliament on 28 November 2017, when the National Assembly (“NA”) passed the Labour Laws Amendment Bill (“Bill”), which introduced the right to ‘parental leave’, ‘adoption leave’ and ‘commissioning parental leave’, all three types of leave which were not statutorily regulated. The aforementioned Bill also provides for…
Read MoreCan an employee get dismissed fairly for referring to a fellow employee as a “swartman”? : Not always
SAEWA obo Bester v Rustenburg Platinum Mine and Another (JA45/16) [2017] ZALAC 23 (3 May 2017) Background “On 28 May 2013, the Rustenburg Platinum Mine (“RPM”) dismissed Mr Meyer Bester on grounds of insubordination and making certain racial remarks. On 24 April 2013, Mr. Ben Sedumedi (“Sedumedi”) and other colleagues held a safety meeting. While…
Read MoreMedical certificates from traditional health practitioners
There has been an ongoing debate as to whether or not an employer should accept a traditional health practitioner’s certificate as proof of medical incapacity. Central to this debate, is the wording of the BCEA, and the status and supporting structures of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 (“THPA”). What follows below, is…
Read More