Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
What counts and what employees often misunderstand Many employees approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) believing they have been subjected to an unfair labour practice, only to find their dispute falls outside the legal definition. This misunderstanding is common and often results in frustration, unnecessary legal costs, and dismissal of disputes at […]
Practical guidance for employers and employees On 4 September 2025, the Minister of Employment and Labour brought into effect the new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal under the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA). The Code consolidates and updates South Africa’s dismissal framework, replacing the long-standing Schedule 8: Code of Good Practice: Dismissal and […]
Changes to parental leave law When it comes to taking time off work to care for a newborn infant (or newly adopted child), Norway and Bulgaria are the best places to live, both in terms of duration and pay. The UK comes next, with other European countries as well as New Zealand and Canada making […]
Rethinking the way we say goodbye to top earners The labour landscape in South Africa is changing. Proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act (LRA) are set to redefine how unfair dismissal disputes involving high-income earners are handled. These changes could transfer the focus for both employers and senior employees from job reinstatement to financial […]
Key considerations for employers Are you an employer? Perhaps you are a small business on the verge of expansion, taking on staff for the first time. What do you need to know about employment contracts to ensure you stay on the right side of employment law and, more importantly, your employees? There is a complex […]
What is the Code and what does it mean for employers and employees? Have you or has someone you know been sexually harassed at work? The likelihood is significant: approximately 30% of women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a 2019 survey by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The Labour […]
Compensation for work-related injuries There are 869,000 domestic workers in South Africa, comprising 5.2% of the population, as at the end of March, 2024. Many of us rely on domestic workers to relieve us of the burden of cleaning our own homes, looking after our children, and perhaps cooking our meals. For many workers, women […]
The law is very clear on when dismissal is considered unfair. What can you do about it? South Africa’s Labour Relations Act (LRA), like all of our legislation post-1994, aims to protect the rights of all parties, ensuring no discrimination or bias and maintaining a balance of power between stakeholders. Workers’ dignity and rights, so […]
What is an application to compel and when would you use one? Are you going through a hostile divorce and your spouse’s attorneys are not being completely transparent in the discovery phase? Do you think your employment has been wrongfully terminated but your employer is withholding documents you need to make your case? In these…and […]
Chatbots are here to stay – understand their complexities Do you think ChatGPT is just a glorified search engine? Or do you think AI is the future of work, for better or for worse? If you are worried that generative AI will put you out of a job, you can (probably) relax – at least […]
Different laws apply, even if only one individual is involved Most of the time, the management team of a company and the board of directors succeed in working together for the good of the organisation. They do not always agree, and the role of a board is to govern and ensure accountability. Occasionally, the relationship […]
