NEED HELP? Contact Us | FAQ
Question: Does an employee have a right to an annual bonus?
The Minister of Home Affairs announced a further extension for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders until 28 November 2025. But what about other undocumented foreigners in your employ?
May an employer use behavioural characteristics (e.g. initiative, enthusiasm and determination) as criteria to select employees for retrenchment?
May employers exclude candidates for employment based on the fact that they have a criminal record, or may an employee be dismissed if the employer discovers that an employee has a criminal record?
COSATU gave notice to NEDLAC of their intention to embark on nation-wide protest action on Monday, 7 October 2024. What does this mean for employers?
If an employer contemplates dismissing employees based on operational requirements (retrenchment), the Labour Relations Act (LRA) requires the employer to follow certain procedures. However, may an employer approach employees informally and strike a deal by signing a mutual separation agreement, thereby avoiding the legal technicalities of the LRA?
hi I would just like to find out if it is a must to pay an domestic worker a bonus if he/she has only been employed for 4 months and how do I calculate the amount or percentage of the bonus,or even a pro-rata bonus and how it works.
Reply to Marcus: There is no legal obligation to pay a bonus. Most employers do, though. The amount, if anything, is discretionary. Bear in mind that, if you do pay a bonus, there will be an expectation of a bonus in future.
Hi there,
I need to know if a company can despite a high rating being given, reduce the payout of a performance bonus because a person has been off sick too often.
Reply to Karen: The rights surrounding a performance bonus (when an employee is entitled to the bonusand when not) is determined by contract. You would therefore have to look at the wording of the bonus provision to see whether the company has reserved the right to reduce the amount in any circumstances.
Hi there,
Why does the m.e.i.b.c. force employers to pay pro-rata bonusses, even when the company had a very bad year? What does pro-rata means? I f a company cannot afford this bonus, could the company still be forced to pay it? Even if the company has to actually close it`s doors to pay this bonusses?
Response to Christo: The provisions of the MEIBC collective agreement are normally extended to non-parties, which means that all employers in the industry have to comply. If you are unable to pay bonus due to financial constraints, you can apply for an exemption. Another development is that the employers’ association NEASA has challenged the Minister in court regarding the extension of 2011 collective agreement and the outcome is imminent.