Bonuses during protected strikes – understanding the legal position
Can employers pay bonuses to non-strikers during a protected strike? During a protected strike, tensions rise and both sides make difficult choices. This Alert explores the legal position by examining Solidarity obo C J Arendse and 38 Others vs Heineken Beverages (Pty) Ltd, a recent Labour Court judgment.
Women’s income growth – no silver bullets!
We have released our new findings from the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Opportunity Leads Umbrella Program. The findings identify five critical and interconnected domains that drive women’s income growth among low-income micro-entrepreneurs. The insights emerged from a two-year collaboration with 11 enterprises in Kenya through the WEE Program.
AI skills transformation – redefining roles and productivity
We have released our March Job Market Trends Report. The report includes an analysis of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills are evolving locally. It draws on data from the company’s recruitment platforms. The findings show that AI exposure among professionals has shifted from niche to mainstream. This shift signals the rise of the growing AI skills economy.
TES strategy – adapting to rising fuel costs
The rising cost of fuel is forcing businesses to rethink labour costs. A permanent workforce has become difficult to sustain. As a result, many organisations are shifting toward more flexible staffing models. This shift helps them scale more easily while maintaining continuity. In this context, a flexible workforce becomes a practical necessity.
Objective test misapplied – why context matters
When arbitrators and judges assess whether a dismissal was fair, they must apply the objective test. In simple terms, they must decide whether a reasonable person would conclude that the conduct justified dismissal. This assessment must remain unemotional and evidence-based. However, misunderstanding the objective test often leads to incorrect conclusions.
Workplace protection balance – rights, risk and responsibility
Since the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace (Code) came into effect, harassment claims have increased. These include sexual harassment, racial discrimination and gender-based bullying. They also include harassment based on arbitrary or prohibited grounds.
Applying the “Ulrich HR model” to avoid workplace problems
In many organisations, operational breakdowns do not stem from incompetence. Instead, they stem from unclear responsibility. When problems arise in the workplace, the most common explanations are predictable: “I thought HR was dealing with that”, “Management should have handled it”, or “That’s not my function”.
Better health, better value – a model for affordable, high-quality care
Across South Africa, rising living costs continue to place significant pressure on households. For many families, medical aid is one of the most important yet most financially demanding commitments. People are rightly asking how healthcare can remain both affordable and of high quality in an environment where medical inflation consistently outpaces general inflation, in South Africa and globally.
CRO leadership timing – from crisis to strategic resilience
New global research reveals a critical gap in corporate restructuring. It shows that 83% of business restructuring leaders arrive too late to save value. Therefore, organisations must shift from reactive crisis repair to proactive strategic resilience.
Volunteering – Africa’s most underrated career accelerator
Volunteering is often framed as an act of goodwill rather than a pathway to professional growth. However, this view misses an important point. In many cases, volunteering builds capability, credibility and leadership. April, designated as Global Volunteer Month, offers a timely opportunity to reassess this practice. It remains widely misunderstood, particularly in emerging markets.
