Tag: CRS HR and Payroll Solutions

It’s been a stark and dramatic change in work environment and responsibility. People are working from kitchen counters, home studies and lounge suites. They’re waking up and heading into the virtual office in pyjamas. The world is online, and organisations that resisted remote working for years are living out their worst fears – will the work get done? Will the employee deliver? How do I know they’re not watching Netflix?

COVID-19 introduces regulatory and ethical challenges to companies and employees returning to work. Stringent regulations and careful planning define the approaches of organisations and employees returning to the workplace in the pandemic.

With the daily COVID-19 infection rate in South Africa increasing rapidly, many employees are having second thoughts on whether they should be returning to an office environment. This may occur when circumstances may arise where refusing to work is believed to be the only safe option available.

Employers and employees have rights when it comes to sick leave, but fraudulent sick notes are a rising problem. In the wake of Jacob Zuma’s alleged medical certificate presented to court in January 2020, there has been widening controversy around these documents and their validity in the South African workplace.

Offering a retirement fund to your employees may not be mandatory, but it positions you as a people-centric company. The ways in which companies approach top talent can vary from sector to organisation to country, but one thing remains consistent – an attractive value proposition is the best way to attract and retain the best talent.

Employment contracts always include a notice period should an individual decide to resign. Typically, South African workers must give a calendar months’ notice when they decide to part ways with their employer, but what happens in the case of resignation with immediate effect, especially when there are pending disciplinary actions? 

With more than a third of employees reporting acts of bullying in the workplace, this has become a significant issue in South Africa that negatively impacts teamwork and morale. I discuss what bullying entails and the precautions companies can take against this form of abuse.

Employees face a two-fold risk if they do not take the leave they are legally entitled to. Firstly, they could forfeit their leave after a pre-determined period, depending on their company policy. Secondly, they could be diagnosed with burn out and be placed on extended sick leave. This places the organisation at significant financial risk.

South Africans are well-known for their participation in stokvel saving schemes where members contribute a fixed monthly amount that is paid out to a specific member on a specified date. Employers can integrate these payments into existing processes to make it safer and more convenient for those members.

Workforce transformation affects all aspects of business and companies must plan for the impact it is having and will continue to have on operations. The evolving business landscape means companies must start thinking now about the skills they need for the future.