Bizland's

Advantage

CHENNELLS BRÜMMER & ASSOCIATES Consultants in Labour Law, Industrial Relations and Strategic HR Management

Contents: Welcome What is LabourSmart LabourSmart Features Industrial Relations Knowledge Checklist Summary of Contents: Industrial Relations Best Practice

Welcome

Welcome to the LabourSmart Advantage! LabourSmart is an innovative consultancy specialising in Labour Law and Strategic Management of Industrial Relations and Human Resources. The consultancy has developed a wide reputation for its practical, creative and user-friendly Industrial Relations interventions and training initiatives. World Class Industrial Relations practices have been successfully introduced and increasingly utilised in a range of large and medium to small sized organisations, including various blue chip organisations and trade unions. The information on LabourSmart is compiled by consultants with extensive experience in the labour field and who serve on a part-time basis with the CCMA, various Bargaining Councils and the Arbitration and Mediation Services of South Africa.

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What is LabourSmart?

A COMPREHENSIVE AND PRACTICAL GUIDE TO BEST INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS OPERATING PRACTICES
The last 5 years have seen considerable change in labour laws and these changes are likely to continue in the foreseeable future. How well equiped are you to manage your staff in this ever-changing labour environment, and to remain up-to-date with best practices?

Bizland's LabourSmart provides you with practical and well-documented solutions to common South African labour issues. By using LabourSmart, you will improve your industrial relationships and as a result, you will enhance the productive capacity of your organisation.

LabourSmart does not stop there! As part of its broader function it includes an interactive Bulletin Board where questions can be posed and answered. It provides ongoing information on various Training Interventions and it provides access to professional consultants, if necessary.

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LabourSmart Features

	A comprehensive resource document detailing Best Operating Practices
	All the skills and information for you to help yourself
	Regular updates to the website on changing legislation
	Labour relations and Human Resources advice / assistance
	Telephonic access to a panel of labour consultants
	Bulletin Board for posting questions, interacting and sharing experiences
	Monthly newsletter detailing current labour issues

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What IR knowledge base does your Organisation have?

	Do you have pro-forma Employment Contracts which distinguish between Permanent, Fixed-period and Casual employees?	Yes No
	Do you have a Disciplinary Code and Procedure that is legally compliant and protects the needs of your organisation?	Yes No
	Do you have an Incapacity Code and Procedure that is legally compliant and is user-friendly for your managers?	Yes No
	Do you have a clear Procedure to appraise performance and to deal with poor performance?	Yes No
	Do you have a Recruitment and Selection Process and Procedure which is legally compliant but ensures that the interests of your organisation are maintained?	Yes No
	Do you have a pro-forma Equity Policy and Plan which conforms to the Employment Equity Act?	Yes No
	Do you have a set of guidelines and checklists to assist you should you be required to attend the CCMA for Arbitration?	Yes No
	Do you have a legally compliant Strike Contingency Plan that protects your organisation during industrial action?	Yes No
	Do you have a well-defined and legally compliant Retrenchment Policy and Procedure?	Yes No
	Do you have Policy and Guidelines on how to deal with the employee who is persistently absent?	Yes No
	Do you have a clear policy and set of guidelines on how to deal with an employee who is HIV+, or has full-blown AIDS?	Yes No
	Do you have a clear policy and set of guidelines outlining how to deal with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work?	Yes No
	Do you have a summary of the important day-to-day operational questions and answers that arise from the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act?	Yes No

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Summary of Contents - Industrial Relations Best Practices

1. ESTABLISHING THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

2. MANAGING PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

Performance Measurement and Appraisal

	Managing performance via some practical method of performance appraisal is critical for any manager of personnel. It enables you to identify performance gaps, develop talented people and deal with ineffective people. This chapter guides you step by step through effective Performance Measurement and Appraisal. Checklists, ratings methods and forms included.

Management of Poor Performance and Incapacity

If an employee fails to meet the performance standards of an organisation and there is no fault alleged on the part of the employee, the organisation should, in terms of the LRA, apply the Incapacity Procedure. This chapter provides detailed guidelines for recognising and dealing with poor performance in accordance with the Law and Best Operating Practices. Pro-forma forms, checklists, procedures and letters included.

Dealing with Misconduct / Disciplinary Action

Companies generally have an established set of disciplinary rules that specify standards of conduct required of the company employees. Where an employee breaches the Code of Company Conduct, and fault or intent is determined, the Disciplinary Process should be applied. This chapter provides guidelines for identifying misconduct as against incapacity and the processes and procedures to be applied to ensure legal compliance and Best Operating Practices. Pro-forma forms, checklists, procedures and letters included.