Contributors

When business conditions change, employers may want to change the terms and conditions of employment of the employees. This week Ivan Israelstam explains what employers should not do in these circumstances. 

Over the last few decades, many companies have transferred parts of a business to another company, which continues to provide a service to the original company. Transfers of the employees takes place under Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. If the company subsequently decides to cancel that arrangement and appoints another company to provide the service, do all of the employees move over again? Ivan explains the complexities and implications of this question.

When should the chairperson of an internal disciplinary hearing consider allowing a lawyer to represent the employee facing the disciplinary hearing? Ivan Israelstam explains how the courts have considered this question, and what employers should take into account in order to respond to such requests. 

This week Ivan Israelstam explains why it is important for management to understand the difference between mitigating circumstances and extenuating circumstances. He argues that there is a difference - and explains how this understanding relates to provocation and affects decisions to dismiss.

This week Ivan Israelstam answers the question on whether an allegation of assault will automatically always lead to a decision to dismiss. Ivan looks at how the authorities have dealt with the question, and concludes that the specific circumstances of each case need to be carefully considered before reaching a decision.

You can be an employee before you start work! This week Ivan Israelstam explains that there gap in employent law. That is because neither the Labour Relations Act, nor Basic Conditions of Employment Act, nor the Employment Equity Act adequately cover this question. Ivan advises on the limitations in finding a way forward by relying upon the law of contract. So, Ivan explains how have the Labour Court, and Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) have responded - and the Labour Appeal Court has stepped in.

This week Ivan Israelstam explains that there are four main categories breaching employee rights, that are referred to the Commision for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). They are unfair dismissal, unfair discriminatin, unfair labour practice, and failure to comply with minimum wage legislation. Ivan then unpacks what are considered unfair labour practices relating to benefits.   

This week, Ivan Israelstam explains two aspects of the interview and employment process. This article explains what information the law requires a job applicant to provide to the potential employer. Then, what action an employer may take - if they find out that the - now employee - misrepresented any aspect of their qualifications or experience.  Cases are quoted to indicate why it is necessary to follow the correct procedures prior to taking such action. 

Last week, Ivan Israelstam explained the personal reasons employers may have to utilise probation to dismiss employees. This week, Ivan describes the alternative action the employers may take - instead of dismissing the employee, the employee is demoted.  This action, equally as with the dismissals, may run into criticism at the Commission for Conciliation Moderation and Arbitration (CCMA). 

This week Ivan Israelstam explains why "James Bond" employers, who use probation to simply dismiss employees - whether they have broken rules, or just simply because they are not popular with the boss, will be tripped up at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

The retrenchment of a senior management employee will always be a difficult exercise, and all the more reason why the employer should ensure compliance with the Labour Relations Act and Codes of Good Practice, and that the correct procedures are followed. Ivan Israelstam quotes a case where the employer tried to both retrench and disciplline a senior employee.

This week Ivan Israelstam explains what it means when the Employment Equity Act requires that employers should not unfairly discriminate. Examples and cases are used to illustrate how important it is for employers to understand exactly what would constitute unfair discrimination. 

Disciplinary hearings are often held in an emotional environmental, which can lead to decisions being taken - without consideration of all the circumstances.  This week Ivan Israelstam explains exactly what are extenuating circumstances, and answers the question - how important are they to the dismissal decision? 

This week, Ivan Israelstam explains how an employer can inadvertently guarantee an employee further employment - even though their contract states that it is a temporary period of employment. He explains the dangers to employers, who attempt to avoid their labour law obligations, by manipulating employment contracts, for example with fixed term contracts.

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.

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.

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?