Human Capital

A recent judgment from the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court provides a crucial interpretation of Section 35(1) of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). The decision explores the limits of employer immunity under COIDA when tragic incidents occur during employment, but not necessarily arise from it.

In business, figurative sticks and stones may break no bones. Yet, a few kind words can make a big difference. Profit is the lifeblood of business, and influencing employee behaviour is central to profitability. However, not all profitable behaviour change is positive.

There’s a quality I’ve grown to value more with each passing year, not just in leadership or in the workplace but in people. It’s not ambition, intelligence or experience. It’s positivity.

The law entitles charged employees to a fair and sufficient opportunity to prepare for the disciplinary hearing. They must also be allowed to testify on their own behalf, bring corroborative evidence and cross-examine the employer’s witnesses. In addition, employees have the right to use an interpreter, receive representation and have an impartial chairperson preside over the matter.

Perhaps this is your current situation. Being placed on a performance improvement plan can feel like a punch to the gut. It is feedback, but it also comes loaded with fear, doubt and worry. You may find yourself asking, “Am I failing? Is my job at stake? Do they even want me here?”

South Africa’s new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal took effect, replacing the previous codes on dismissal and operational requirements. The new dismissal code, guided by the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), offers employers practical guidance on handling dismissals related to misconduct, incapacity and retrenchments.

Discovery’s analysis of 47 million sleep records There’s a two-way relationship between sleep and optimal health. Poor sleep can increase the risk of developing physical or mental health conditions, or both, while poor physical and mental health can negatively affect sleep quality and duration. This two-way relationship creates a cycle that can accelerate disease progression and reduce quality of life.

Incentive travel is making a strong comeback in South Africa, but not in the way it used to. Once defined by luxury and leisure, it is now being reimagined as a strategic business tool. This change aligns with employee well-being, sustainability and company culture.

South Africa’s Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) came into effect on 1 September 2025. This followed the Gauteng High Court’s dismissal of an urgent application to halt its implementation. The government aims to enforce sectoral targets on race and gender representation to accelerate transformation. However, beneath the policy rhetoric lies a complex reality that many employers, particularly in manufacturing, will struggle to manage.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into workforce planning is reshaping professional practices across industries. This includes the specialised field of psycho-legal practice within industrial and organisational psychology (IOP). In South Africa, psycho-legal assessments play a critical role in legal proceedings. These cases often involve workplace injuries, loss of earnings and psychological impacts.