‘Advice and Tips’ Archives
Boiler Maker Forced to Work »
Question: I am a boilermaker at a shop in Wadeville they force us to work on Sundays; Saturdays and sometimes we must work crazy hours to get a job done the management don't care how you do it they want the job done.We are short of boilermakers and that make it even worse the deadlines they set to finish a job are most of the times are not [...]
Absence Without Official Leave »
Question: An employee has taken unapproved leave for 10 working days during December of 2009, after signing a contract in 2004 stating that no employee would be granted leave during the November to January period of any year as it is our busy season. The employee in question has requested leave for this period in October 2009, as well as [...]
Increase in Hours Equal Increase in Wages »
Question: have been working for a company for almost 3 years and have a signed contract stating working hours, pay etc. They(management/owner) want to increase our working hours and add an amendment to our contracts stating this. My question is this: by law can they force me to agree with this without increasing my wages? It's a 38% increase [...]
Restraints are Difficult to Enforce »
Question: I was with a company that had a contract with Vodacom. The company lost the contract (end September) and had to retrench approx. 150 employees due to the Lost contract (approx. 85% of total headcount). I was employed in the "back office" for this account, which also went through a process of retrenchment, but the company decided [...]
Hair Salon, Hair Dresser and Maternity »
Question: I have a Hair Salon. My senior hairdresser is pregnant & her due date is in about 6 weeks. She wants to work till 2 weeks before her due date, but I feel she is unable to fulfill her duties as hairdressing can be physical. She says that she can't afford to go on maternity leave earlier, but I feel I can't afford to let her work [...]
Make Me Permanent »
Question: Could you please advise me on what to do. I've been contracting for a State owned enterprise for 10 months at a salary of R20800.00. They are busy with a business case to make me permanent as there is no-one else to do the work however the manager told me that I need to take a cut in salary for the permanent position as my currently [...]
Full Retrenchment Package »
Question: My company has agreed in writing to pay the full retrenchment package including 4 weeks notice at full salary. They are now stalling on paying the salary claiming they don't have to by law. Is this true? (more...)
Finding Alternative Employment »
Question: I have been permanently employed at this company for almost 4 years, of which 2 years (after restructuring) has been by a new company (i.e. just different name, same place and people) and with a new contract. Still permanent employee. I am appointed as Communications Manager and Executive Personal Assistant and my contract clearly [...]
Illegal Temporary Identification Document »
Question: Can you tell what is the position of the Labour court regarding a illegal foreigner, only after committing theft it was discovered that he was indeed illegal and that he obtained a Temporary ID by committing fraud with the ID number, he was employed believing that he was a South African citizen - will he also be seen as an lawful [...]
Domestic Workers and Pension »
Question: Can you please help me. My mother's domestic worker is going on pension at the end of this year. She has been in her employ for 27 years now. What needs to be payed out to her. I heard that it is one week's salary for every year she worked for her. Can you kindly assist me. (more...)
Domestic Workers »
Question: I have had a domestic for about 3-4 months but she was only working for me Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. I didn't register because I was in the process of buying a new property which catered for a "maids quarters." Now when I am about to move and register my domestic, I realise that the person that i organized for my [...]
Under Performance for Job Function »
Question: I have been working for a company for 9 months not and have had no contract given to me, my basic salary is R5000.00 and I only get paid R25.00 for over time, is this right, next thing is I was given a hearing for under performance in my job function but I do not even have a job description? What is my next steps? (more...)
Separation Agreement »
Question: A friend of mine signed a Separation Agreement with his company who wanted to retrench him after only 3 months in the job as at least he managed to secure 2 months salary with the monies to be paid into his a/c the day after the agreement was signed, which also terminated the employment with immediate effect. The company never paid in [...]
Retrenching Staff »
Question: I am looking at retrenching one of my staff as his position is to become redundant within the company. What are my obligations to him and what are the correct procedures that need to be followed? (more...)
Dismissal Period »
Question: I have been unfairly dismissed. I haven't received any written or verbal warnings. Is my boss supposed to pay me out anything? (more...)