Posts by Belinda

In South African Medical Association Trade Union obo Rikhotso v MEC: Department of Health, Limpopo Province and Others [2023] 6 BLLR 575 (LC) an employee who was employed as a medical doctor resigned in the midst of facing disciplinary action.  A disciplinary inquiry had been convened, which related to a charge that he had incited other employees…

Being under the influence of alcohol at work cannot be tolerated in any workplace. Some employers set the bar higher by adopting a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach with regard to the mere presence of alcohol in an employee’s system. Breath-alcohol (‘breathalyser’) tests are commonly used as a measuring tool in both instances. But just how reliable are…

Domestic workers and their employees have new rules to follow in South Africa relating to compensation for injuries or diseases stemming from a place of work. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 has successfully been amended by Parliament following being assented to by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 6 April. Changes to broaden…

Excessive sick leave absenteeism creates numerous problems for employers and fellow employees and also evokes emotional responses – employers believing the sick leave is consistently abused, whereas employees believe that they have a right to utilise their full sick leave entitlement.  Employees have a common law duty to render services during their contracted working hours. …