It will be fair to say that 2018 started with much more certainty than 2017 did. At the same time last year various Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Sector Codes were only in draft format and not yet aligned with the amended Codes of Good Practice. Out of a planning and budgeting point of view,…
Protecting your employees against Sexual Harassment
As an employer you have a duty to ensure a safe working environment for your employees – this includes protecting your employees against potential sexual harassment. The Employment Equity Act No 55 of 1998 (EEA) classifies harassment based on sex or gender as unfair discrimination which is strictly prohibited in the workplace. The legislature introduced…
Should your business accept crypto currencies?
These days, all everybody is talking about is the huge growth and profits that is being experienced on the financial stock market in crypto currencies. The frontrunner of the phenomenon, Bitcoin, has surpassed the $20,000 mark in December 2017 and also lost a lot of ground in that same month. Since the start of the…
Hiring right the first time – the importance of job interviews
Managers conduct job interviews to determine whether a candidate is the right person for the job. The aim is to make an informed decision. If you employ somebody that fits well in your team it increases general morale, reduces training costs and service errors, and it inevitably leads to greater customer satisfaction. It is therefore…
Gay couples soon entitled to maternity leave
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and the Unemployment Insurance Act provides only for protection of maternity and parental rights of biological parents and female employees. Currently, fathers are only entitled to 3 days of family responsibility leave at the birth of their children. Biological mothers are entitled to at least 4 months’ maternity…
Lease agreement cancellation and the CPA
The enactment of the new Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008 (herein referred to as the CPA) introduces some changes to lease agreements for immovable property. Parties acquire certain rights in respect of the cancellation of a lease agreement, as well as certain rights pertaining to the maximum duration of a lease agreement. When…
New Construction Codes implemented
The amended Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Construction Codes have been gazetted on 1 December 2017 by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be implemented with immediate effect. Let’s have a look at the amended Construction Codes, especially the new regulations regarding Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) with 51%…