Human Capital

Work-life balance is quietly clocking out. In its place comes a way of working that reflects how people actually live. Meetings, school runs, errands and coffee breaks now share the same daylight hours. When work happens where life already unfolds, the day feels lighter. Teams stay focused, and productivity follows without pressure. This is not a trend. It is a practical reset in how the modern office fits into real life. This more natural rhythm resonates with today’s professionals.

Everyone knows how important it is to retain good staff, and how disappointing it is when a top performer leaves. This impact is felt more keenly in smaller businesses. For a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), losing a key employee is not just an HR inconvenience. It can shake team morale, disrupt operations and affect customer relationships.

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) entitles employees to certain minimum rights. These rights include remuneration for work done, leave and lunch breaks. Where the Department of Employment and Labour (DOEL) finds that an employer breaches an employee’s rights, it may issue a Compliance Order. The Labour Court can enforce this order. Non-payment of commission can also trigger regulatory and legal scrutiny.

Tomorrow’s leaders will still need wisdom. Wisdom still needs experience. And experience still needs time.

Demand for technology professionals in South Africa has bounced back strongly in the second half of 2025, suggesting that the technology sector is turning a corner. This tech jobs rebound indicates renewed confidence in digital hiring. Our Job Market Trends Report for November 2025 shows meaningful signs of recovery for the IT sector after a prolonged slump from 2022 through to the first half of 2025.

As South Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the conversation around women in technology needs to become more practical and outcome-focused. While access to digital tools has improved, the real issue now is whether women are meaningfully participating in the decisions, development and leadership that shape how technology is used in the world of work.

At first, out‑of‑town work trips might have felt like a promotion. You represented the company, were sent to “make things happen”, flew Premium Economy, stayed in a fashionable hotel, networked and hopefully, secured new business. But after some time, red-eyes, quick turnarounds and other travel pressures started wearing thin. So, you begin checking out mentally. You wonder why this could not have been a Teams call. You also wonder why every “quick” trip requires intense preparation, domestic juggling and days of unscheduled recovery time.

Despite significant investment in employee benefits, many organisations still struggle. Employee engagement remains low. Healthcare expenses continue to rise. Productivity shows signs of decline. In many cases, the issue does not stem from underinvestment. Instead, it reflects a lack of insight. Even the most comprehensive medical coverage can fall short.

Read our exclusive cover story titled AI and the apprentice – a future of leaders without experience and wisdom? by Nokwethu Khojane, Director and CEO, GoSkillsCafe Recruitment, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.

We released our Job Market Trends Report for December 2025. The release includes the Job Guide for the year ahead. The analysis highlights fierce competition for jobs with low barriers to entry. These barriers relate to experience and qualifications. At the same time, the data shows healthy demand for skills in healthcare, finance and information technology.