Question: I would like to find out the procedure that I should follow in laying a grievance against my boss. Our company is very small (4ppl working here) and we do not have a HR dept or any kind of dpt that I can forward my enquiries to. The CEO’s PA print’s all our salaries via excel and there is no one in a higher position to go to, to complain about unfair treatment towards the staff. We are constantly being paid late, once on the 14th of the next month, and we are all to scared to speak to our boss as he makes our lives a misery if we challenge anything he says. He has now given two ppl, myself and his PA, a written warning for not typing what we do on a day-day basis on our company system (which we have not received proper training to use) as well as a warning for eating our lunches at our decks after we have taken our 30min lunch break.

We do not have any tea breaks and normally don’t take lunch, so we find this to be very unfair. I have also been given a warning for using the company phone, but all calls I make are done so via my cell phone and the only time I use the company phone for personal use evey now and again is to receive incoming calls, which we have not been told that we may not get. We are constantly afraid to voice out opinion and dread coming to work everyday due to do the terrible treatment. I am currently 3 and half month pregnant and he makes me carry heavy books and run up and down for him whenever possible. I have even asked him if I could start early and leave early as 5 ‘o clock traffic is very stressful and I need as little stress as possible. I am still waiting for his answer 4weeks later. So my question is, is a grievance enough or do I have grounds to take this further? We have had 5 other staff members leave because of him in the last year and we are, as we see it, the last two loyal employees’. What can I do to get fair treatment?

Answer: A grievance would normally be written and handed to your manager but in your instance it would be the Boss. As stated you are all worried about approaching him. You could lay a complaint at the CCMA for unfair labour practices stating all your concerns but remember if this is done he will not be a happy bunny and will most probably victimize you from there. Best to lodge a formal written grievance and hand it to him as if anything happens you have covered your behind. Keep copies! By law he is obliged to give you a response. Prepare for harshness however. The victimization of pregnant woman is not taken lightly and you will be in a strong position.

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