Human Capital

A growing number of the youth are giving trade unions a pass - not out of disinterest, but disconnection. Traditional union structures feel increasingly out of step with the values, platforms and priorities of a new generation navigating digital workspaces, gig economies and fluid career paths.

In Mqikela vs Pristo Response Trading, the South African Labour Court found that a supposed retrenchment had masked the real reason for dismissal. The employee had referred an unfair labour practice (ULP) dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). This case exemplifies an automatic dismissal due to ULP.

The Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) has published the Employment Equity Regulations, 2025 under the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA), as amended. This was published together with the notice identifying national economic sectors and determining the sectoral numerical targets, effective from 15 April 2025.

Leadership has been equated with charisma, assertiveness and a commanding presence for the longest time. The loudest voice in the room or the most outgoing personality often tends to dominate. This leaves introverts, those quieter and more reserved individuals, overlooked for leadership positions.

On 29 May 2025, the Department of Employment and Labour published South Africa’s White Paper on the National Labour Migration Policy. The document outlines the government’s official approach to managing cross-border labour mobility. It also sets the framework for how foreign skills will be accessed in the future. The new labour migration policy will shape business decisions for years to come.

A recent Labour Court judgment confirms that where employers fail to properly address grievances or mitigate the cause of an employee’s complaint, a constructive dismissal claim may succeed. In Makombe vs Cape Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists and Others, the Labour Court found that a pastor employed by the Cape Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (Cape Conference) experienced constructive dismissal.

The Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) 2025 marks a major step in South Africa’s effort to speed up workplace transformation and address persistent inequalities. A key change is the redefinition of a designated employer. Previously determined by both staff numbers and turnover, it now applies only to organisations with 50 or more employees, reducing the burden on small businesses.

Nearly half of business leaders have seen an increase in employee turnover after delaying pay rises for professionals and white-collar workers. This is according to our new research. As the economic landscape continues to evolve, I have seen many employers facing difficult financial decisions.

In an era increasingly shaped by rapidly evolving technology, many equate good leadership with a calculated focus on profit maximisation. This trend often creates the belief that society’s future depends solely on innovations in algorithms and devices. However, my experience leading South Africa's foremost home services platform has taught me otherwise.

Young people, those under 30, constitute more than 50% of today’s global population. Projections show that this figure will rise to 75% by 2030. Generation Z (Gen Z) already makes up 27% of the workforce. They bring a unique set of talents and insights that are reshaping the world of work.