The recent FlySafair strikes have once again thrust labour disputes into the national spotlight, affecting thousands of travelers and highlighting the far-reaching consequences of industrial action. Understanding the legal framework governing strikes and lockouts is crucial for both employers and employees navigating South Africa’s complex labour relations landscape

In recent months, we’ve seen a surge in client inquiries about trade unions and collective labour law. Many employers express concern, even panic, when they first encounter union activity in their workplace. However, understanding the fundamentals of collective labour law can transform what seems like a threat into an opportunity for building productive workplace relationships.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was designed to be South Africa’s workplace safety net—a place where employees and employers could resolve disputes fairly and efficiently. But what happens when the safety net itself is torn?

Following our exploration of workplace misconduct last month, we’re now turning to another critical area that generates frequent questions: how to handle employee illness and injury when it affects job performance.

In recent months, our team has chaired numerous disciplinary hearings across various industries. Whether conducted in person or online, we’ve noticed consistent patterns that often undermine what should be a fair and effective process. Here’s what we’re observing and how both employers and employees can get disciplinary hearings back on track.

When most employees and employers think about workplace disputes, they immediately focus on unfair dismissals. However, South African labour law provides protections against a much broader range of unfair employer conduct through provisions on unfair labour practices and constructive dismissals. Understanding these concepts is crucial for both employers and employees to maintain fair workplace relationships.

In today’s evolving workplace, non-standard employment arrangements have become increasingly common. However, both employers and employees often struggle to understand their rights and obligations under these arrangements. Let’s break down the key aspects of non-standard employment as defined in the Labour Relations Act.

Most of us think we understand employment contracts until we actually need to use them. That’s when the surprises start emerging – and they can be significant for both employers and employees. Let’s uncover some of the most important truths that could impact your working relationship.