Page 4 - Business Sense-11.4 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement -EBOOK

RISK MITIGATION IN LABOUR LAW:

HOW PROACTIVE CONSULTANCY SAVES YOU MONEY

Johan van Deventer, service tiers to suit different
KZN Regional business sizes, industries and
Manager, Labournet complexities:
■ Support: Ideal for occasional
verything advice or document drafting
You Need ■ Comprehensive: Ongoing HR
Eto Know and legal support, including
About Labour audits, the facilitation
Law Risks of labour processes and
litigation
South
African ■ Corporate: Strategic
businesses partnerships for large, multi-
operate site organisations with
within a complex and dedicated account
evolving framework of labour management and industry-
legislation. The risk of non- specific expertise
compliance is significant, Each tier is designed to reduce
obvious and direct costs labour costs while enhancing
include fines, arbitration workplace compliance. Book a
awards, and prolonged consultation today.
litigation. However, the
consequences extend further: What to Look for in a
companies may also face Consultancy
invasive labour inspections,
When selecting a labour law
diminished employee morale, consultancy, consider:
negative publicity, and
reputational damage that can ■ Expertise: Look for seasoned
deter clients, investors, and professionals with CCMA,
prospective employees. Bargaining Council, and
Hidden Costs of CCMA ■ Implementing policies and Download our free labour law Labour Court experience
This article explores how Disputes practices to address company toolkit: www.labournet.com/ ■ National Footprint:
a proactive labour law labournet-labour-law-toolkit/ Labournet operates across
consultancy helps businesses Many employers underestimate specific concerns and best South Africa, ensuring
practices
identify and address risks the hidden costs of defending Ongoing Audits and Risk consistent service delivery
before they escalate, ultimately cases at the CCMA or By identifying and addressing Assessments
Technology Integration:
saving time, money, and Bargaining Council (BC). Even these gaps proactively, businesses ■ From compliance dashboards
reputation. when case outcomes go your can avoid costly disputes and Labournet facilitates regular
way, the time and resources audits to monitor changes in to automated HR workflows,
The True Cost of Labour Law spent on preparation, hearings, penalties. legislation, company structure, your partner should leverage
Risk and internal disruption can be Customised Policies and and workforce dynamics. These technology to boost efficiency
substantial. audits help businesses: and accuracy
Understanding the risk of Contracts
non-compliance is the first step Moreover, CCMA/BC outcomes Generic and not fit-for-purpose ■ Stay ahead of legal updates Proactive labour law
toward effective mitigation. are not always predictable. A employment documents are a ■ Identify emerging risks consultancy isn’t just about
South African labour laws – small procedural defect can major source of risk. A proactive ■ Adjust policies and staying compliant — it’s a
including the Basic Conditions result in an unfavourable consultancy develops tailored procedures proactively strategic investment in your
of Employment Act (BCEA), ruling. The reputational damage policies, disciplinary codes, business’s stability, cost-
Labour Relations Act (LRA), of being perceived as a non- and contracts that reflect your Routine risk assessments efficiency, and long-term
Employment Equity Act, compliant or toxic workplace can industry, risk profile, and ensure your compliance success. By identifying risks
and others – impose strict further erode employee morale operational needs. These include: strategies evolve alongside your early, tailoring documentation,
obligations and duties on and customer confidence. ■ A comprehensive disciplinary business. training your team, and
employers. leveraging technology, you
Value of Proactive Consultancy code HR Training and Capacity can avoid costly disputes and
Financial and Operational Waiting for a dispute to arise ■ Policies on absenteeism, leave Building build a resilient, compliant
Impact is always more expensive than management, discrimination Even the best policies are workplace.
The financial toll of non- preventing one. That’s where and other work place practices ineffective if managers don’t
compliance can be significant, proactive labour law consultancy ■ Employment agreements know how to apply them. Looking to reduce risk, improve
particularly for small and delivers real value. aligned with the BCEA, LRA LabourNet offers tailored compliance, and avoid costly
medium-sized enterprises and sectoral regulations training and workshops to equip CCMA disputes?
(SMEs). Common costs include: Early Identification of HR and line managers with Explore Labournet’s labour
Compliance Gaps
■ Legal representation and Customised documentation practical skills in: law services to see how we can
settlement fees Consultancies ensures consistency in handling ■ Disciplinary procedures proactively support your HR
disciplinary and grievance
■ Downtime during internal like Labournet conduct matters, reducing the risk of ■ Conflict resolution needs. 
investigations or Commission comprehensive risk assessments procedural errors and CCMA ■ Absenteeism and performance
and audits of your human
for Conciliation, Mediation resource policies, employment claims. management T: +27 (0)31 266 6570
and Arbitration (CCMA) contracts, and disciplinary C: +27 (0)82 786 7480
proceedings codes to identify risks early. This Download our free industrial Empowered managers are key E: johanvd@labournet.com
W: www.labournet.com
■ Penalties for unfair dismissals: includes: relations toolkit: www.labournet. to maintaining a compliant and
productive workplace.
these may include reinstatement ■ Reviewing employment com/industrial-relations-toolkit/
or compensation of up to contracts for legal compliance Building a Strong Compliance Choosing the Right
12 months’ salary for ordinary and assessing whether Framework Consultancy Partner
unfair dismissals, and up to contracts are fit for purpose
24 months’ salary for ■ Auditing workplace practices A robust compliance Outsourcing labour law risk
automatically unfair dismissals framework is your first line management is only effective if SCAN
and aligning such to best of defence against labour your consultancy partner aligns QR CODE
These costs can escalate practice disputes. It provides clarity with your business needs.
rapidly, especially for businesses ■ Ensuring alignment with for managers, protection for TO SEE
without dedicated legal teams sectoral determinations and employees, and peace of mind Flexible Service Tiers VIDEO
or access to external support. BC rules for leadership. Labournet offers scalable

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