As coalition politics, institutional pressure and global instability intensify, South African employers face a shifting employment relations landscape. This article explains how political drift fuels aggressive wage bargaining, strike action and policy uncertainty, and why boards must treat labour stability as a strategic risk. It highlights the importance of fair procedures, social dialogue and workplace partnership to protect business continuity and the social licence to op

As scrutiny on transformation deepens, South African organisations must move beyond reactive B-BBEE compliance. This article outlines a blueprint approach that embeds B-BBEE into business strategy, aligns leadership, integrates scorecard elements, and uses smart monitoring to turn transformation into a long-term growth and credibility advantage in 2026 and beyond.

Prepare your HR function for 2026 with a practical playbook covering equal parental leave, AI adoption, policy alignment and ethical digital transformation. Learn how to strengthen compliance, productivity and employee engagement in a fast-changing workplace.

As 2026 begins, organisations and professionals face rapid change driven by AI, digital tools and evolving labour and compliance frameworks. This article explains why January is the strategic moment to invest in professional development, align new budgets and development plans, and build sustained capacity in ethical AI use, digital skills, POPIA, employment equity and workplace transformation.

South Africa’s GDP per hour worked lags leading economies, but organisations can narrow the gap without waiting for macro reforms. This article explains what productivity is, why it matters, where South Africa sits globally, and the most effective workplace levers: digital tools and infrastructure, job and process redesign, targeted skills development, fair performance management, and trust-building leadership.

Advance your HR career with the Advanced Occupational Certificate: HRM Officer (NQF 6). This qualification equips HR professionals to move from admin and transactional tasks into true strategic partnership. Blend knowledge, practical skills, and workplace application to manage talent, design organisations, support employment relations, and align people strategy with business goals in a fast-changing, digitally enabled workplace.

The Labour Appeal Court overturned a ruling that an ethical hacker at Sanlam was constructively dismissed, finding he resigned voluntarily and had not proven intolerable working conditions. Mental-health arguments raised only at review were rejected, with the Court confirming that incapacity and constructive dismissal must not be conflated. The CCMA’s original finding was restored, offering clarity on mental-health claims in dismissal disputes.

Job hugging—the tendency for employees to cling to their jobs despite dissatisfaction—is rising in South Africa amid economic uncertainty and limited job mobility. High unemployment and fears of retrenchment drive this behaviour, reducing innovation and engagement. Employers can counteract job hugging by promoting growth, transparent communication, and career development to restore trust and productivity while building a resilient workforce.

Swearing at a boss may feel impulsive, but in South African labour law, emotional outbursts seldom excuse misconduct. The Labour Relations Act recognises verbal abuse toward senior leaders as gross misconduct and insubordination. Dismissal can be fair if trust breaks down and procedures are followed. While stress or provocation may mitigate, the law prioritises respect, discipline, and procedural fairness over emotional impulse.

Mental health in South African workplaces demands urgent attention. Post-COVID, anxiety, burnout, and depression have surged. Employers must move beyond compliance with the OHSA, EEA, BCEA, and COIDA to create safe, compassionate environments. From men’s mental health awareness to practical actions like EAPs, flexible work, and empathetic leadership, it’s time to normalise help-seeking and make mental wellbeing a daily workplace priority.

South Africa’s 2025 labour law landscape brings faster legal changes and stricter compliance demands. From new case law on dismissal and strikes to evolving Employment Equity reporting, pay transparency, and policy implementation standards, employers face higher stakes than ever. The Annual Labour Law Update 2025 helps HR, IR, and executives navigate these shifts with practical toolkits, curated case digests, and nationwide sessions to future-proof workplace policies and redu

Protect your brand: SA employers need clear social media policies, training & compliance to manage risks in today’s digital workplace.

Human-in-the-Loop AI safeguards fairness in SA workplaces—ensuring ethical recruitment, EE compliance, and dignity in sensitive decisions.

Women SDFs are reshaping SA workplaces, driving skills, equity, and innovation to build inclusive, future-ready organisations.

Language bias labels women “bossy” not leaders. SA workplaces must shift words, audits, and training to empower women’s leadership.

Women in South Africa’s lobbying and advisory roles are shaping inclusive policies, driving growth, and strengthening democratic governance.

Professional growth is no longer linear. In today’s fast-changing workplace, experience must merge with innovation. Younger colleagues bring fresh perspectives, digital fluency, and adaptability, while seasoned professionals offer wisdom, context, and stability. By embracing cross-generational learning, reverse mentoring, and continuous growth, leaders can turn uncertainty into opportunity. This Women’s Day, let’s redefine expertise as humility, openness, and collaboration ac

Resilience and reinvention define a journey of purpose, courage, and transformation. From voluntary retrenchment to entrepreneurship, academic setbacks, and personal trials, each challenge became a stepping stone toward growth. Completing an LLB degree in 2024 and joining Global Business Solutions in 2025 reflect perseverance and purpose-driven reinvention. This Women’s Month, we honour the resilience of women whose stories of strength, adaptation, and community inspire futur

Emoji misuse at work is a growing legal risk in South Africa—avoid fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage with a solid emoji policy.

Navigate mental health-related incapacity dismissals legally and compassionately. Key questions, risks, and employer obligations explained.