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Filter: Labour
Can I be dismissed without a disciplinary hearing?

12 September 2016

I was recently fired as a manager of a retail company. The company held me responsible for stock theft that... happened under my watch, claiming that I was negligent in my duties. I was asked to leave without any warnings or a disciplinary hearing. Surely, I should at least have had a chance to give my side of the story.

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574
Article
Fair or not: a higher wage for longer length of service?

07 July 2016

Some of my colleagues at work earn more than I do although we hold the same positions and do the... same work. I even feel I work harder than they do. The only difference is that they have been working for the company for longer than me. Surely it can’t be fair that I earn less for doing the same work only because of how long I have been with the company?

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461
Article
How to regulate employee social media use

09 February 2016

Recently one of my employees posted a number of defamatory comments via her various social media platforms regarding some of... her colleagues. I have already addressed the matter with her individually, but would like to prevent issues like this cropping up in the future and also protect my business. Most of my employees are on various social media sites and my business also has various social media accounts. Is there anything I can do?

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524
Article
Alcohol (mis)use at work functions

09 February 2016

At our recent work function for company staff at a private outside venue, a few of the staff members had... too much to drink and became loud, inappropriate and even offensive, to the point where a number of the other staff members left the function early. Afterwards a number of staff complained to me about the conduct of these staff members. How do I manage this and avoid similar situations arising at the next function?

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410
Article
Can my traditional healer book me off work?

08 September 2015

I have been struggling with bad dreams for many weeks, causing me to sleep badly. Nothing seems to help and... it is affecting my work. On advice of my mother, I eventually visited our family sangoma, a traditional healer, who informed me that I am experiencing callings from my ancestors and that I will have to be booked off work for three weeks to undergo specific training to help the dreams stop. I am very anxious to address this issue, but my employer is refusing to accept the sick note of the sangoma. Can the employer refuse this?

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279
Article
New fathers – are they entitled to maternity leave?

06 August 2015

My partner and I, a couple in a registered civil union, are planning to have a baby, either through a... surrogate or adoption. While this is very exciting, it is also stressful as there will be no traditional mother figure for the baby to bond with in the first few months, and both my partner and I have full time employment. Would either my partner or I qualify for ‘maternity leave’?

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295
Article
Is an employee settlement agreement bulletproof?

06 August 2015

My business recently had to pursue disciplinary action against an employee. This was a difficult decision and process but we... eventually reached a settlement in terms of which the employee agreed to resign and concluded a settlement agreement to that effect. I thought the matter was put to rest but now I hear the employee is going to take us to the CCMA. Surely he cannot override our settlement agreement and do this?

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218
Article
When must I retire?

16 July 2015

I am 59 years old and have been working for nearly 20 years at the same company. The office manager... recently told me that I will have to retire when I am 60 as that is the age everyone retires from the company. I had heard that most people retired at 60 but was hoping that I could stay on till 65. Must I retire at 60 or am I allowed to continue working till I am 65?

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175
Article

BEST LEGAL Q&A 2021, EDITION 6

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BEST LEGAL Q&A 2021, EDITION 6

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