Some companies unfortunately see labour rights as being in place strictly to protect their employees. We say that this is unfortunate as it means that these companies are missing out on a degree of protection themselves – protection afforded by the South African labour law.While it may be true that labour law protects employees, it protects their employers as well. This makes sense given that many employers enter into contracts with their employees for the specific purpose of mutual protection.The following are a few ways in which the SA labour law can be used to protect your company, as well as enforce its policies:
How South African Labour Law can Work for Your Company
1. Providing Clear Guidelines for Conduct in the WorkplaceIf employees have a clear understanding of proper workplace decorum, then labour law works on the side of any compliant company.Be absolutely clear on the policies of your company, the disciplinary code, the grievance procedure, and the general conduct expected of employees.2. Creating Consistency in the Treatment of EmployeesSouth African labour law protects unfair discrimination, and rightly so.3. Creating Clear ExpectationsThe labour law provides an opportunity to define your expectations early on in your company’s relationship with each employee. This allows your company to be clear on its policies with regards to dress code, internet usage, use of company property, leave allocation, smoke breaks, employee security, and so on.4. Protection against Legal ActionSA labour law provides clear legislation with regards to both the rights of employers and the rights of their employees. Compliant companies should thus be thankful of the nation’s labour law as it provides them with clear recourse in the face of legal action.As far as compliant companies go, the nation’s law provides an excellent opportunity to create clear policies, and enforce them. Image credit: http://jutaacademic.co.za/print/academic_products/AcademicProduct/235