Bargaining councils – what is it and how does it work?

A bargaining council is a body that is established by one or more employers’ organisations and one or more trade unions. It must be registered under the Labour Relations Act for a particular industry. This means that there are restrictions on what kind of dispute specific bargaining councils may hear.

Powers and functions of bargaining councils include:

Read more →

Warnings – how, when and who?

Maintaining discipline in the workplace is vital to maintain productivity, as well as a positive working environment. Just as an employee has certain rights, the employer has the right to take disciplinary action against an employee who is in contravention of the employer’s rules, policies or procedures. It is however the employer’s responsibility to take action and enforce discipline.

When it comes to taking disciplinary action, the focus is on progressive discipline. Progressive discipline aims to take reasonable steps in order to change or correct the behavior of employees, through the systematical issuing of warnings, as well as holding consultations.

The issuing of warnings in the workplace must be in line with the employer’s disciplinary code. A disciplinary code is vital to ensure that there are clear rules and procedures in the workplace to be followed by employees. Ensure that your disciplinary code is relevant and up to date regarding offences and appropriate sanctions. Also ensure that all employees are aware of what the disciplinary code entails. Warnings can range from verbal to a written, serious written and a final written warning and must be fair, as well as in line with the seriousness of the offence.

When should I issue a warning?

Read more →

Health and safety in the workplace

The Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993, regulates health and safety in the workplace. The aim of this Act is to ensure a safe and risk free working environment. In case of an incident, it is vital to follow correct procedures in handling as well as reporting the incident in order to avoid penalties and fines.

The farm is a challenging environment exposed to various potential health and safety risks created by diesel, vehicles, machinery, chemicals, livestock, the environment (fires, weather, natural disasters, etc.), high voltage, heavy loads, poor etiquette to customers and co-workers and many more. Risk increases in the case of illiterate and unskilled workers. Cost is also a major factor. An injury on duty, absence due to an injury, as well as the employment of a temporary person, are expenses not always budgeted for. Read more →