This time of the year is filled with energy and anticipation. By now, it’s become almost impossible to go through the mall without hearing Christmas songs, the anticipation for the holiday season is mounting, and the countdown is going fast. 

I can never be disappointed in a year that made me a grandfather. Nor can I be upset with a year that allowed me to turn 50 in good health and surrounded by cherished family and friends. But that aside, 2018 was not for the feint of heart.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has added Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to his Cabinet as the Minister of Communications.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today announce changes to the National Executive. 

Black Friday has become synonymous with frantic shopping and South Africa local retailers have definitely seized the opportunity to make it the biggest shopping day of the year.

“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”-vh Mahatma Gandhi

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi says the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is designed to help mitigate some of the effects of poverty, unemployment and contribute to plugging a major gap in the social security net.

This week Ivan Israelstam explains why it is important for an employer not only to refer bribery and corruption activities to the SAPS, but also to conduct an internal disciplinary hearing before terminating the services of an employee. 

Often synonymous with Hollywood blockbuster movies and technological developments of a distant future, drones have shaken off stereotypical thoughts that they only belong on the big screen.

Not only employers, but also union officials and employees sometimes wonder what the words in the employment legislation mean. This is also seen in differences between the Labour Court and the CCMA and bargaining council arbitrators. This week Ivan provides examples of how the different acts aren't always clear.  

31 October is World Savings Day, a day we like to use to highlight the importance of money management.

'Procurement irregularities' has taken 3rd place on Corruption Watch SA's Corruption Report 2017 (CRW2017). Coming in at 12% of the reported types of corruption,

All employers need to be aware of RICA. This week Ivan Israelstam explains what RICA is, and what the implications are for employers who want to intercept an employee's emails, or listen to phone calls. What are the implications if an employer simply goes ahead without understanding the legal constraints?

For any country to develop, attention should be paid to improving the education system, investing in entrepreneurs as well as clean governance.

Michael Beckurts, the winner of the 2018 Young Creatives Awards, started art lessons at the age of six as a form of rehabilitation to regain his fine motor skills after surgery, but is now on track to turn his passion and talent into a creative career.

When an employer dismisses an employee it is vitally important that the decision to dismiss is based upon solid evidence that is directly related to the reason to dismiss.  This week Ivan Israelstam explains what can go wrong in a CCMA Arbitration, or Labour Court review if the evidence is not relevant to the dismissal decision - or the CCMA arbitrator has failed to consider the relevant evidence. 

With an economy that is struggling under ongoing pressure of petrol price hikes and a weakening rand, South Africa looks to face another quarter of decreased consumer spend.

What are employee entitlements to sick leave? How should an employer handle the various forms of illness? These could be physical, emotional, mental illnesses. This week Ivan explains how an employer should approach employees with an extended, or recurring mental or emotional illness.  

Revelations by former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene on his meetings with the controversial Gupta family sparked outrage among South Africans and was met with calls for his axing. I

Sometimes employees do come in to work and declare that they are resigning with immediate effect. This can be for a number of personal reasons, irritation with management, and so on.  This week Ivan Israelstam explains the potential implications for employers when this occurs.

There is a need for assessors and moderators to be qualified and registered. Many in the education sector seem to overlook the distinction between these two terms.

Employers do sometimes find it difficult to prove at CCMA hearings the allegations they make against employees, who have been dismissed. One of the most common forms of evidence used in modern workplaces is camera videotape evidence.  However, this is not without problems. This week Ivan Israelstam quotes cases where the camera videotape type evidence has been challenged.  

When employers are faced with financial challenges, and contemplate retrenching employees, it is critical for the employer to first consult on alternatives to avoid retrenchment. Ivan Israelstam explains what is required, and how employers should consider alternatives. If the employee makes proposals, which the employer does not accept, it is necessary that the employer provides a response on why the alternative proposed is not a viable option.