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Filter: Employment
Can I be dismissed without a disciplinary hearing?

12 September 2016

I was recently fired as a manager of a retail company. The company held me responsible for stock theft that... happened under my watch, claiming that I was negligent in my duties. I was asked to leave without any warnings or a disciplinary hearing. Surely, I should at least have had a chance to give my side of the story.

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422
Article
Fair or not: a higher wage for longer length of service?

07 July 2016

Some of my colleagues at work earn more than I do although we hold the same positions and do the... same work. I even feel I work harder than they do. The only difference is that they have been working for the company for longer than me. Surely it can’t be fair that I earn less for doing the same work only because of how long I have been with the company?

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302
Article
How to regulate employee social media use

09 February 2016

Recently one of my employees posted a number of defamatory comments via her various social media platforms regarding some of... her colleagues. I have already addressed the matter with her individually, but would like to prevent issues like this cropping up in the future and also protect my business. Most of my employees are on various social media sites and my business also has various social media accounts. Is there anything I can do?

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341
Article
Alcohol (mis)use at work functions

09 February 2016

At our recent work function for company staff at a private outside venue, a few of the staff members had... too much to drink and became loud, inappropriate and even offensive, to the point where a number of the other staff members left the function early. Afterwards a number of staff complained to me about the conduct of these staff members. How do I manage this and avoid similar situations arising at the next function?

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378
Article
Can my traditional healer book me off work?

08 September 2015

I have been struggling with bad dreams for many weeks, causing me to sleep badly. Nothing seems to help and... it is affecting my work. On advice of my mother, I eventually visited our family sangoma, a traditional healer, who informed me that I am experiencing callings from my ancestors and that I will have to be booked off work for three weeks to undergo specific training to help the dreams stop. I am very anxious to address this issue, but my employer is refusing to accept the sick note of the sangoma. Can the employer refuse this?

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315
Article
Is an employee settlement agreement bulletproof?

06 August 2015

My business recently had to pursue disciplinary action against an employee. This was a difficult decision and process but we... eventually reached a settlement in terms of which the employee agreed to resign and concluded a settlement agreement to that effect. I thought the matter was put to rest but now I hear the employee is going to take us to the CCMA. Surely he cannot override our settlement agreement and do this?

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309
Article
When must I retire?

16 July 2015

I am 59 years old and have been working for nearly 20 years at the same company. The office manager... recently told me that I will have to retire when I am 60 as that is the age everyone retires from the company. I had heard that most people retired at 60 but was hoping that I could stay on till 65. Must I retire at 60 or am I allowed to continue working till I am 65?

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261
Article
BEE and Employment Equity: Birds of a Different Feather?

15 June 2015

Compliance with BEE and Employment Equity legislation has become a mandatory requirement for doing business in South Africa. However, the... concepts of BEE and Employment Equity are often confused and troubled by misconceptions that compliance with one, equals compliance with the other. It is important for business owners to differentiate between these concepts and also understand the inter-relationship that governs them.

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335
Article
Workplace defamation: Can I claim damages?

11 June 2015

You are a supervisor managing a number of staff. The business is upon hard times and this stress spills over... into the workplace where staff tempers are short. One day a heated argument between employees arise. When you try and calm them down, the one employee verbally attacks and abuses you, calling you unintelligent and a liar and hurls derogatory slurs at you to embarrass you in front of the other staff. You feel belittled and reluctant to face your staff because you feel your character has been undermined by the employee’s conduct. Can you sue this employee for defamation of your character? 

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