Self-improvement is about developing healthy habits – including ways to improve your career path.

What is insubordination, and what does it mean "to obey a reasonable instruction"? This week Ivan Israelstam explains what happened in a case where refusal to obey a reasonable instruction - was the correct response, and the dismissal was unfair.

The section of the Employment Equity Act that prohibits unfair discrimination applies to all employers. Discrimination means making a choice. Ivan Israelstam provides examples of fair and unfair discrimination, and explains what "inherent requirements of the job" mean.

As Ivan Israelstam explains this week, employers may sometimes decide to "get rid of" an employer for reasons of age. However, if the decision does not follow an established, documented, fair, and legal policy and practice, the action could prove not only - very expensive for the employer, but also damaging to the company reputation. 

Employers range between those, who are over-sympathetic towards employees, and those who feel they have no responsibility at all, to deal with employee grievances. Ivan Israelstam explains that although there is no statute, that requires exployers to handle employee grievances, it is always advisable for employers to investigate the full circumstances of the grievance, and not to pre-judge based upon the person who is lodging the grievance.   

For employers, any form of workplace disruption causes concern and frustration. Ivan Israelstam explains why it is important that employers do not respond emotionally to such disruptions, and only respond once their actions have been carefully considered.

This article explains the challenges labour brokers experience, when the employer refuses to accept the person, who has been placed at their site.

Although there is a formal Code of Good Practice for Dismissal it is also possible to have a less formal approach to disciplinary procedures in certain circumstances.

The month will also focus on improved access to universal education, life skills, skills development and training remains a priority for the next five years.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is getting tough on Ministers as a way to save money, including making them save money by flying economy class.

"Whistleblowing" - not the making of noise with a little mouth toy - making a report, which "exposes secretive information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within a private or public organization" (Wikipaedia definition). What are the consequences of an employee making a report about something happening reporting on administrative, or other actions, which are being carried out in the organisation, or institution of their employer? Ivan Israelstam explains how the Protected Disclosures Act, protects whistleblowers, but also how employers are protected.

Employers and trade union officials, who present matters at the CCMA, will be interested in the list of powers, which Ivan Israelstam has listed.  Questions are answered, such as: Is the CCMA Commissioner empowered to overturn a dismissal decision?  

The conversation went something like this. “I really want to climb Kilimanjaro. Do you know any good causes?”

Despite an increased awareness of the importance of IT governance in boardrooms across South Africa, certain board members still tend to abdicate responsibility to the head of IT when something goes wrong. 

Two important issues are raised his week by Ivan Israelstam - first that employers should not use retrenchment as an excuse to deal with their failure to manage employee performance, and when conducting restructuring and retrenchment exercises, there are clear steps to be followed to consult with employees - these include consultation, information sharing, and consideration of alternatives. For details on the requirements - see Labour Relations Act sections 189 and 189A, and the Code of Good Practice on Operational Requirements Dismissals.

Suicide is preventable, but gaps in South Africa’s public and private healthcare system need to be closed if the country is to reduce the risk of self-harm which kills an estimated 18 people every day.

Ivan Israelstam explains in detail employee rights in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), and how the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Labour Court may approach disputes, which combine BCEA disputes, with matters under the Labour Relations Act (LRA), such as unfair dismissal disputes.   

This week, Ivan Israelstam lays out the procedures for an arbitration hearing, and the explains why it is critical to present evidence to support your case. 

The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) -- through the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) -- is launching an online application system for the financial year 2020/21 for open call funding.

Women usually take a break from their careers because of personal reasons like: starting a family; attending to a loved one either in old age or sickness; getting married or relocating.

Bookworms can now sign up and join the President’s Reading Circle - a virtual book club - to enjoy recommended page turners.

What is required to suspend an employee from work?  This week Ivan Israelstam explains how employers can cause themselves very expensive problems by losing their temper and treating employees unfairly.  

"Hearing chairpersons should not count their chickens before they hatch" is good advice. This week Ivan Israelstam, how - and why - some employers try to manipulate the disciplinary process, and the potential consequences if this advice is not heeded.