LABOUR RELATIONS CONSULTING

We at Keystone strive to empower and assist the business owner to effectively manage Employees.  Employers have to negotiate the minefield of labour legislation in order to stay compliant and our aim is to provide solutions, in this regard.  This is especially important in instances when there are Employee shortcomings and things go wrong. We help employers to understand how to approach the situation and which process to follow. 

Compliance

We start by doing a gap analysis or audit of your current compliance to labour legislation and advise on implementation thereof, including compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Skills Development Act etc.) Furthermore we draft and review your employment contracts, and job descriptions to comply with legislation. As part of the compliance assistance we draft and review your labour policies. This includes a code of conduct, discipline, grievance and dismissal for ill health and incapacity policies.  We also draft and review related documents (e.g.  warnings and notices, inclusive of proper record keeping of counselling discussions)

Individual Labour Law

In general we advise and give guidance and support on all Employee relations and processes to address incidents in the workplace. This includes disciplinary and other labour related issues, such as incapacity hearings, handling complaints and grievances and general conflict resolution.  You will have access to telephonic as well as on site support on a wide range of labour related issues.  We provide training for management, team leaders and team members in dealing with disciplinary investigations and disciplinary and incapacity hearings.

Assistance is provided in handling investigations into an incident and what to do as the charging manager or complainant when deciding to hold a disciplinary enquiry.  Chairing of the disciplinary enquiry is done by one of our labour consultants to ensure the process is fair and the decision on the facts and the sanction for the misconduct is fair.

We can also assist in dealing with Incapacity, ill-health and poor performance, how to identify these problems and what processes to follow

Collective Labour Relations

Collective labour relations focus on the workforce as a collective. We assist in identifying and dealing with their problems and needs. Our general HR audit or gap analysis referred to above will identify the sector you belong to and if any sectoral determinations apply in your workplace.  This usually supplements legislation for your specific sector and needs to be adhered to. This may influence your contract, wages, working hours etc.

We assist with your Employer and Employee relations in general (including unionised workplaces or sectors).  We negotiate, draft and review collective agreements with the union. A collective agreement informs your relationship with the union. Representation and facilitation of all labour issues, union negotiations and meetings are provided as part of our services.

A union or number of Employees may refer an issue to the CCMA, Bargaining Council or Labour Court.  We assist in the preparation and advice for appearance at the CCMA, Bargaining Council or Labour Court. We also assist with the preparation of documentation, pleadings and witnesses, including opening and closing statements at these forums.  Should you require one of our labour consultants to appear on your behalf at the CCMA, Bargaining Council or Labour Court this can be arranged.

Retrenchments

Assistance is given to the Employer who contemplates dismissal due to operational requirements/ retrenchments.  We advise you on the fairness and validity of the reasons you have for contemplating retrenchment.  We assist in drafting the notices to Employees and facilitate the consultation process. 

CCMA/ Bargaining Council/ Labour Court Assistance

We provide general litigation support; this includes the preparation and advice for appearance at the CCMA, Bargaining Council or Labour Court.  We also assist with the preparation of documentation and witnesses, including opening and closing statements at these forums.  Should you require one of our labour consultants to appear on your behalf at the CCMA, Bargaining Council or Labour Court this can be arranged.