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Can an employer’s treatment of sick leave amount to constructive dismissal in South Africa? In Lewis v CCMA and Others, the Labour Court found that accusations of sick leave abuse, questioning medical evidence without proper verification, reversing approved sick leave and withholding salary made continued employment intolerable. The employee was found to have been constructively and unfairly dismissed and was awarded compensation.

How can HR and Employment Relations professionals use AI in South Africa? This practical guide explains how tools such as Claude can support policy drafting, disciplinary processes, performance management, labour law research, Employment Equity, investigations and HR administration. It also covers prompting, confidentiality, bias, verification, human oversight and the HR decisions that should not be delegated to AI.

Is 4 November 2026 a public holiday in South Africa? The President has declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026 a national public holiday for the local government elections. This employer guide explains what the additional holiday means for payroll, annual leave, shift rosters, employees required to work, continuous operations and workplace planning under South African employment law.

Can an employee be automatically dismissed for testing positive for alcohol under a zero-tolerance workplace policy? In Cipla Distribution Gateway v Mwale, the Labour Court upheld a CCMA reinstatement award and confirmed that a positive breathalyser result alone does not remove the requirement to assess fairness. The case highlights impairment, breathalyser reliability, confirmatory testing, proportionality and individual circumstances when determining whether dismissal is fa

How can organisations build diversity and inclusion in the South African workplace? This practical guide explains diversity, inclusion and belonging, and explores Employment Equity, cultural intelligence, stereotypes, unconscious bias, inclusive leadership and organisational culture. Learn how employers can remove workplace barriers, strengthen multicultural teams and turn workforce diversity into meaningful participation and belonging.

What financial skills should every manager understand? This practical guide to finance for non-financial managers explains income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, budgeting, forecasting, liquidity, solvency, financial ratios and variance analysis. Learn how South African managers without an accounting background can interpret financial information, manage budgets and make better evidence-based business decisions.

What are the key South African labour law issues employers should review in 2026? This practical guide covers recent case law, dismissals, disciplinary processes, Employment Equity, workplace policies, management decisions and emerging AI risks. It also explains how employers and HR teams can prepare for legal changes and make fairer, better-documented workplace decisions.

Can an employee be dismissed if their refugee status or legal authorisation to work in South Africa expires? In Muyulenu v Global Telesales, the Labour Court found that continued employment would have been unlawful under the Immigration Act. Although the CCMA Commissioner committed a gross irregularity during arbitration, the Court ultimately found the employee’s dismissal procedurally and substantively fair.

What are the roles, responsibilities and rights of a shop steward in South Africa? This practical guide explains Section 14 of the Labour Relations Act, employee representation in grievances and disciplinary hearings, collective bargaining, organisational rights, workplace conflict, CCMA processes and the skills effective shop stewards need. It also explains what employers should consider when choosing practical shop steward training.

Can an employee be dismissed for calling a manager a “white racist” in South Africa? In CSAAWU obo Qomoyi v CCMA and Others, the Labour Appeal Court found that the words were not automatically racist and had to be assessed in their full workplace, social and historical context. The Court found the dismissal substantively unfair and ordered retrospective reinstatement.

Is resilience enough for women to advance at work? This Women’s Month reflection argues that career progression requires more than individual grit. It explores mentorship versus sponsorship, workplace opportunity, confidence, development, leadership support and the practical actions colleagues and managers can take to help women grow and progress in South African workplaces.

Why do women often carry the responsibility for connection and emotional support at work? This Women’s Month article explores relational labour, workplace belonging, inclusive leadership and team connection, and considers how organisations can recognise and share the often-invisible work that supports trust, collaboration, retention and healthy workplace cultures.