South Africa's National Minimum Wage Commission has opened the consultation process for the 2027 National Minimum Wage adjustment. Find out who can make submissions, the 4 September 2026 deadline, the factors the Commission considers, expected payroll impacts, budgeting guidance, and how employers can prepare for the March 2027 minimum wage increase.

Can employers accept a traditional healer's medical certificate for sick leave? This article explains South Africa's current legal position under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Traditional Health Practitioners Act, the Kievits Kroon judgment, the Judge Lekale incapacity tribunal, and what employers should know about incapacity, cultural accommodation, discrimination, and traditional healer certificates.

Does a CCMA settlement agreement prevent an employee from pursuing further legal claims? This article examines the Labour Appeal Court's decision in Moropene v Competition Commission of South Africa, explaining when a settlement is considered full and final, how courts interpret settlement agreements, and what employers and employees should know before resolving dismissal disputes.

Can an employee be dismissed for insulting colleagues? This article examines the Labour Appeal Court's decision in Arunachellam v Woolworths, where a 28-year employee was reinstated because dismissal was found to be a disproportionate sanction. Learn what the judgment means for progressive discipline, long service, disciplinary codes, and unfair dismissal cases in South Africa.

The Labour Appeal Court reaffirmed that condonation for late referrals is not automatic under South African labour law. In Aspen Holdings v Phelane, the Court ruled that applicants must provide a full explanation for every period of delay, regardless of the merits of their case. The judgment highlights the importance of complying with statutory timeframes, proper legal procedure, and the strict principles governing condonation applications in dismissal disputes before the Lab

The Constitutional Court’s Van Wyk judgment has transformed parental leave in South Africa, requiring employers to review leave policies, HR processes, and payroll systems. The new interim framework provides more equitable parental leave rights for biological, adoptive, and commissioning parents while reducing discrimination risks. Employers should act now to ensure compliance with the BCEA, strengthen workforce planning, and prepare for future legislative amendments.

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.

The Labour Appeal Court in SACCAWU v Putini re-affirmed that labour disputes must be resolved swiftly and that unions and employers may not abuse procedural rules to delay justice. After years of litigation over a 2010 dismissal and a CCMA reinstatement award made an order of court under section 158(1)(c) of the LRA, the LAC upheld the appeal but confirmed the employee’s right to reinstatement and ordered SACCAWU to pay costs.