Des Squire

Procedural fairness in the workplace is based on company policies yet many managers are ignorant about these guidelines and fail to apply these principles in their management practices. Des Squire highlights the importance of following the proper procedures.

The Department of Labour, with the assistance of International organisations introduced an Organising Framework for Occupations in February 2005 to align all skills development activities in South Africa. Des Squires discusses the functions and operations of this framework.

Company policies are not created for employees alone but apply to senior executives too. Des Squire defines company policies and procedures and sheds light on the purpose of these guiding principles.

Skills development facilitators and HR practitioners will need to realign there practices to the latest requirements set out by the National Skills Development Strategy in order to correctly administer workplace education and training.

Job profiles guide employees in their roles, tell employers what to expect and assist HR in the recruiting process. Des Squire discusses the elements of a good job profile by using the Organising Framework for Occupations as a foundation.

The goal of workplace training is to empower the employee but identifying training needs in the workplace can be a very challenging process which requires effective skills analysis. Des Squire talks about how to match the right training to the right employee.

Big changes are in store for the legislative framework that guides education and training in the country. Des Squire is feeling excited about the proposed changes, particularly the streamling of the quality assurance function and an end to the arguments about who owns what qualification! He outlines the proposed changes in more detail.

The steps leaders take in managing and motivating others in tough times tend to last and endure. Decisions taken and implemented now may well be the difference between surviving and thriving. Which would you prefer?

Are short courses an asset to the skills development landscape or do they detract from the learning process? Des Squire looks at the value short course and skills programmes bring to the education platform.

There are regulations that companies must adhere to in order to ensure compliance however many fail to meet these legal requirements which leads to costly and time consuming labour action. Des Squire provides guidelines to ensure employers meet the necessary requirements.

Do you enforce training or create an atmosphere of learning in the workplace? If you are battling to gain support from employees your approach to skills development may be the problem. Des Squire argues that 'for training to be effective there must be a perceived need in the minds of the recipients.'

Government guidelines for the NQF are aimed at "strengthening the nation?s education and human resource base' which will fulfil the overall objective of constructing a high quality responsive South African education training and skills development system.

Is a lack of loyalty or low morale hindering productivity in the workplace? Adequate communication channels and effective employee forums could change the way the workforce performs. Des Squire talks about the functions and benefits of establishing committees and forums in the workplace.

Progressive remedial action rather than 'discipline' is required in the workplace and employers should aim to implement corrrective procedures that include counselling or verbal warnings where possible says Des Squire.

How do we deal with and define bad behaviour in the workplace? Des Squire provides some guidelines to identifying and correcting inappropriate behaviour in the office.

Recognition of Prior Learning is a way of recognising what individuals already know and can do. RPL is based on the premise that people learn both inside and outside formal learning structures. But are RPL candidates being descriminated against? Des Squire raises the possibility of problems in the understanding and interpretation of how RPL assessed.

"Succession planning is not just intended for management succession at the higher levels", writes Des Squire. "It would normally imply an opportunity for learning what happens in other areas or departments so employees are available and pre-trained to move to a variety of positions as and when a need arises".

The new Companies Act requires all companies, whether public or private, to establish a "Social and Ethics Committee'. In the light of King III this can have dramatic implications for companies and Good Corporate governance, explains Des Squire.

Des Squire discusses the standard of morals and ethics in South Africa, after a recent call by President Jacob Zuma to advocate discussion around South African morals and ethics.

One of the big problems facing managers and employees is the impact of the generation gap and the inability of individuals - managers and/or subordinates - to communicate and relate as a result of this gap. Des Squire has some guidelines for managers and supervisors.