Channel Chat – RETRENCHMENTS: IT IS IN THE “BEST INTERESTS OF SOCIETY THAT AN EMPLOYER REMAINS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE”

RETRENCHMENTS: IT IS IN THE “BEST INTERESTS OF SOCIETY THAT AN EMPLOYER REMAINS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE” Employers do not have free rein to retrench employees who refuse alternative terms and conditions of employment.  Only where there is a genuine operational requirement for the retrenchment will such retrenchment not be automatically unfair. Yesterday the Constitutional Court ruled…

Channel Chat – TERS APPLICATIONS FOR AUGUST- SEPTEMBER ARE OPEN

TERS APPLICATIONS FOR AUGUST 2020- SEPTEMBER 2020 ARE OPEN TERS applications for the period of 16 August 2020 to 15 September 2020 are open: https://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/ This period’s benefit is limited to employees of employers: Are not permitted to operate either fully or partially operate due to lockdown regulations; and or Cannot implement special measures for vulnerable…

Channel Chat – NEW COVID-19 WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS (Deadline: 21 October 2020)

Additional (COVID-19) obligations on employers have been issued by the Employment and Labour Minister. These all become effective on 21 October 2020. REFUSAL TO WORK DUE TO EXPOSURE TO (COVID-19) An employee can refuse to work if, with reasonable justification, he or she, or a health and safety representative believes there is an imminent and…

Channel Chat – National Strike: 07 October 2020

NATIONAL STRIKE: 07 OCTOBER 2020 A strike protesting harsh socio-economic conditions, high levels of poverty, crime, corruption and unemployment currently being experienced in South Africa is to take place nationally next week. Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has followed the requirements for the strike through Nedlac and in compliance with the Labour Relations…

Channel Chat – (COVID-19): Categories of employees who may claim TERS for the extension period (01 July 2020 – 15 August 2020)

An employer, or employee, may claim TERS benefits for the extension period starting from 1 July 2020 until 15 August 2020.  The new directives cover the following categories of employees whose employers are: Not permitted to operate under the Disaster Management Regulations: Where a business has, because of the lockdown regulations, been unable to operate,…