Flexibility reigns in the COVID-19-era of remote working, driving trends such as semigration where professionals can escape the big city for the coast or countryside without taking a pay cut. However, with this inherent flexibility comes the assumption that, since an employee’s workplace is conveniently situated wherever they are, they are easily able to work outside of what would in the past have been considered as office or working hours. Welcome to the always-on culture. 

The rules that govern constructive dismissal haven’t undergone any major changes over the past three years, a fact that should give any employee pause before they embark down this difficult road.

South Africans are significantly less willing to relocate to a new country physically than in 2018, according to a new study Decoding Global Talent, Onsite and Virtual by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and 

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated (and for some, cemented) the work from home (WFH) trend, which, before the pandemic, was limited only to a handful of forward-thinking companies.

The recent Labour Court judgment in Botes v City of Joburg Property Company SOC Ltd and Another [2021] 2 BLLR 181 (LC) put it beyond doubt that issues which fall under section 23 of the Constitution, the right to fair labour practices, are governed by the principles of procedural and substantive fairness. Furthermore, the Court indicated that such issues are primarily dealt with through the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 ("LRA").

Very few workplace issues elicit as firmly held views or fears as the topic of constructive dismissal. Whether it is a manager, fearful of doing something wrong and at risk of an employee lodging the dreadful claim of constructive dismissal, or Harvey Spectre wannabes cascading their views on the legal impact of such a claim: say "constructive dismissal" and you have everyone's attention.

South Africa's labour laws protect women employees when they become pregnant and ensure that they receive maternity leave.

Organisations and individuals are being forced to think differently about the concept of employment.