Balancing work and family life may become easier for growing families in South Africa after a ground-breaking parental leave judgment in the High Court declared certain provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act unconstitutional.
South Africa’s employment laws are viewed as more rigid than those in various other developing markets, but they are also not as stringent as those in many other markets. In addition, the country’s labour dispute resolution landscape is considered to be more effective than those in many other developing markets. Elements of stricter labour laws are needed when considering the country’s history of inequality, warranting a heightened need for measures to protect employees’ rights.
Our latest Doing Business in South Africa Guide outlines some of the principal matters affecting an overseas entity that wishes to establish and operate a business in the country. The Guide offers a range of practical advice and useful guidance for entities seeking to do business in the country.
South Africa’s newly enacted Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEA Act) includes changes to the legislation governing workplace transformation, as well stricter compliance measures for designated employers. Once in force, the EEA Act will oblige designated employers to prepare employment equity plans. It will be essential for such employers to align their plans to achieve the targets for the employment of black people under the broad-based black economic empowerment codes of good practice with their employment equity plans.
Join us for a four-part webinar series as our US moderators welcome colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends. US-based multinational employers with business operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas regions will hear directly from local practitioners on the major developments they need to know, and come away with practical tips and takeaways to implement.
The South African Department of Finance has published Directive 8 on the compulsory screening of employees for competence and integrity. Failure to comply means that such businesses will risk sanction, including a fine of up to ZAR 50 million. Accountable institutions must record how the screening has been conducted and keep records of the outcome of such screening, which must be made available to the Financial Intelligence Centre upon request. It has been stipulated that screenings should begin as soon as possible.
The most precious commodity in any workplace is a thriving and happy workforce. Employees want to know they are working in a role that provides not only personal meaning, but that the business is fulfilling its responsibilities to society and the environment. Employers, including those in the mining sector, that are able to correctly identify the right mix of workforce policies available to them and then find ways of accommodating and communicating with their staff to create meaning, purpose and well-being for them, are at a strategic advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining valuable talent.
The Constitutional Court in South Africa recently clarified the application of the doctrine of common purpose in the employment law context. The Constitutional Court answered the question as to whether an employer may apply the doctrine of common purpose to dismiss employees for misconduct where the employees were spectators to a violent assault during an unprotected strike. This decision has implications for employers who intend to dismiss employees for these reasons.
In our four-part Navigating the World webinar series, US moderators welcomed colleagues from around the globe to share the latest labor and employment law updates and trends impacting US-based multinational employers with business operations in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific, including:
• the impact of the current social and political climate on multinational employers
• New significant legislative developments
• Inclusion and diversity (I&D) advancements and trends
• Best practices for a flexible workforce, addressing remote and hybrid work
The settlement of employment disputes include, as standard practice, the addition of a confidentiality clause to settlement agreements. However, what happens when an employee breaches such an agreement by disclosing confidential information during legal proceedings or where the information pertains to wrongdoing by the employer? The Labor Appeal Court in South Africa recently considered this matter.