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Every worker is entitled to fair labour practices. There are
several types of unfair dismissal and unfair labour practices.
Workers may consent to pre-dismissal arbitration.
Application
The Labour Relations Act applies to all employers, workers, trade
unions and employers’ organisations, but does not apply to -
- members of the:
- National Defence Force;
- National Intelligence Agency; or
- South African Secret Service.
See
- Labour
Relations Act
- Applies to all workers and employers and aims to advance economic
development, social justice, labour peace and the democracy of the
workplace.
Dismissal
Every worker has the right not to be unfairly dismissed.
Definition
“Dismissal” means that –
- an employer has ended a job contract with or without notice;
- an employer did not renew a job contract as agreed, or offered to
renew it on less favourable terms;
- an employer does not allow a worker to return to work after she –
- has taken legal maternity leave;
- has been absent up to 4 weeks before and up to 8 weeks after the
birth;
- an employer, who has dismissed several workers for the same reason,
re-employs only some of them;
- a worker ended a job contract with or without notice, because –
- the employer made working circumstances unbearable; or
- a new employer made working conditions less favourable than the old
employer.
Fair Dismissal
Dismissal is fair if -
- the specific needs of a job are not being met;
- a worker has reached retirement age.
Unfair dismissal
Dismissal is unfair if –
- a worker intended to or did take part in or supported a strike or
protest; or
- a worker refused to do the work of a striking or locked out
co-worker, unless his refusal will endanger life or health; or
- a worker is forced to accept a demand; or
- a worker intended to or did take action against an employer by –
- exercising a right; or
- taking part in proceedings; or
- a worker is pregnant or intends to be pregnant; or
- an employer discriminated against a worker because of race, gender,
sex, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age,
disability, religion, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture,
language, marital status or family responsibility; or
- an employer cannot prove -
- a worker’s misconduct or inability; or
- that the employer’s operational needs are valid; or
- that the dismissal procedure was fair.
Pre-Dismissal Arbitration
With a worker’s consent, an employer may ask a council, agency or
the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to
arbitrate on a worker’s conduct or ability.
An arbitrator may be appointed only after the employer has paid
the prescribed fee and the worker has given his written consent.
A worker may represent himself, or be represented by:
- a co-worker;
- a director or worker (if a juristic person);
- any member of the worker’s registered trade union; or
- a lawyer as agreed to by the parties.
Unfair Labour Practice
“Unfair labour practice” means any failure to act or unfair act of
an employer towards a worker concerning-
- promotion, demotion, trial periods, training or benefits;
- suspending a worker or disciplinary action;
- refusing to re-employ a worker, as agreed; and
- an employer makes circumstances difficult for a worker who was
forced to make a protected disclosure.
Disputes
Procedure
Unfairly dismissed or treated workers may refer disputes for
conciliation in writing to –
- a statutory or bargaining council; or
- the CCMA.
Referrals must be made within –
- 30 days of a dismissal date or an employer’s decision to
dismiss;
- 90 days of the date of an unfair labour act; or
- 90 days of the date when a worker became aware of an unfair
act.
A dispute may be referred after the above periods if a worker can
show good cause.
The employer must receive a copy of the referral.
Unresolved Disputes
If a dispute remains unresolved –
- a council or the CCMA must arbitrate it, if a worker requests it,
if –
- a worker alleges that the dispute is about his conduct or
capacity;
- a worker alleges that his employer made working conditions
intolerable or less favourable after a transfer;
- a worker does not know why he was dismissed;
- the dispute is about an unfair labour practice;
- a worker may refer a dispute to the Labour Court, if he says the
reason is –
- automatically unfair;
- based on operational needs;
- the worker refused to join a trade union;
- the worker was refused trade union membership;
- the worker was expelled from a trade union.
A council or the CCMA must arbitrate immediately if –
- the dismissal is linked to a worker’s probation; or
- any other dispute where no-one objects to it being settled in terms
of this subsection.
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