Jan Truter

What does the future hold with regard to the wearing of masks, social distancing, vaccination and other protective measures in the workplace?

Theresa Mulderij vs Goldrush Group – After considering evidence and argument by both sides, the CCMA commissioner found that the dismissal of the employee had been fair. Read more…

Utter the words ‘mandatory vaccination’ and someone will see it as a call to arms. This causes most employers to be hesitant about implementing mandatory vaccination policies. But do employers really want to force employees to be vaccinated?

In South Africa, allegations of unfair discrimination tend to have a familiar theme – often an employee having been discriminated against on the basis of being black, female, pregnant, etc. But every now and then a white male claims to have been on the receiving end of unfair discrimination. If one adds language and culture to the mix, it makes for interesting reading.

Employers who intend to make vaccination mandatory may face an uphill battle.

Several provisions pertaining to Covid-19 vaccination have been added in the updated ‘Consolidated Directions on Occupational Health and Safety Measure in Certain Workplaces’ gazetted 11 June 2021.

Since the updated ‘Consolidated Direction on Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Certain Workplaces’ was gazetted on 11 June 2021, two new categories of ‘paid time off’ or ‘sick leave’ came into being – both of these relate to Covid-19 vaccination.

Purposes of the Act The Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013 (POPIA) follows the example of similar, quite onerous legislation in the European Union aimed at protecting individuals’ right to privacy. More specifically, the Act aims to give effect to the...

In the wake of the devastation caused by Covid-19, fast food outlets, restaurants and caterers across the country are being dealt yet another blow. The Minister of Employment and Labour has extended the terms of the Main Agreement of a newly formed Bargaining Council for the Fast Food, Restaurant, Catering and Allied Trades (‘BCFFRCAT’) to establishments across the entire country.

[Abbreviated version] The long-term effects of Covid-19 on businesses have become clearer. Short-term interventions, such as taking annual leave, temporary lay-off, short time and pay cuts, may no longer be appropriate. It may be necessary for a more permanent measure; i.e. retrenchment. But what payments are employees entitled to if they are retrenched?

As we approach the end of a very unusual year, employers are faced with multiple questions surrounding annual leave entitlement.

Many employees took annual leave during the lockdown, resulting in a significant depletion of the leave available to them. Many employees have also been laid off or had their work hours reduced. But how has leave accrued during this period and how must it be calculated?