CHAPTER 13:

CAREERS AND
CAREER
CHOICES
​
LABOUR LAWS
The Labour Relations Act
The LRA aims to promote economic development, social justice, labour peace and democracy in the
workplace.
It:
• Makes rules for the relationships between: employer and individual; organisations and a trade union; and
employee and a trade union.
• Promotes employee rights to fair labour practices.
• Expects employers and employees to try to settle arguments and disputes through negotiation instead of
strikes and going to court.
• Establishes the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which plays a critical role in
sorting out disputes and providing advice
• Does not apply to members of the National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency, and the South
African Secret Service. Some of the rights are limited when they apply to domestic workers.
 EMPLOYMENT 3

EQUITY ACT
The aim of the EEA is to:
• Promote equal opportunity in the workplace by
eliminating unfair discrimination.
• Regulate affirmative action, so that people from the
designated groups (Africans, Coloureds and Indians, and
women and the disabled, of all races) who have suitable
qualifications, are given opportunities for employment.
THE BASIC CONDITIONS OF
EMPLOYMENT ACT
The BCEA makes rules and regulations about the right to fair labour practices:

• Employers must give their employees details of their employment in writing, as a contract.
• It is against the law to employ a child under 15 years old, except for children in the performing arts
(theatre, dance, movies). Children aged 15 to 18 may not be employed to do dangerous work or do
work that places at risk their well-being, education, physical or mental health, or spiritual, moral or
social development.
• Employees have duties and responsibilities toward their employers.
CORE ELEMENTS OF
A JOB CONTRACT
See pages 232-233 (self-study)
 6

NEW LESSON
 7

PRINCIPLES OF
EQUITY AND
REDRESS
Equity: fairness; equal opportunity and fair treatment
Redress: a way to correct or fix something that is wrong or unfair

Equity
• SA’s labour laws promote equity and fairness.
• According to the EEA, every employer must take steps to promote
equal opportunity by eliminating unfair discrimination.
• No person may unfairly discriminate against an employee because of
his or her race, gender ,sex, pregnancy, marital status, family
responsibility, ethnic or social origin etc.
 REDRESS 8

Affirmative action redresses injustices experienced by groups who

have been disadvantaged in the past under the apartheid regime by
promoting equal opportunities in employment.

Examples include:
• Disciplinary hearings: address employees’ misconduct in the
workplace
• Workplace forums: committees of elected employees; they meet
regularly with employers to discuss workplace issues.
• Bargaining council: represent employees and employers in
different sectors,
• The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
(CCMA): sorting out disputes and providing advice
TRADE UNIONS AND 9

ORGANISED LABOUR
Trade unions
Trade unions are organisations that represent the interests of their members in the
workplace. They participate in collective bargaining or negotiations with employers for
wage increases or improvements in workplace conditions.
- SADTU: South African Democratic Teachers Union
- POPCRU: Police and Prison Civil Rights Union
- SATAWU: South African Transport and Allied Workers Union
- NUM: National Union of Mineworkers

Trade union office-bearers or officials have the right to:

• Enter the workplace to recruit members and to communication with them
• Hold meetings with employees at their workplace, but outside their working
hours.
TRADE UNIONS AND 10

ORGANISED LABOUR
Members of a trade union are entitled to:
• Elect trade union representatives at their workplace
• Authorise the employer to deduct union subscriptions or levies from members’ wages.

Trade union representatives are full-time employees

They have the right to:
• Assist and represent other employees in grievance and disciplinary proceedings such as
attending union conferences or training courses
• Check whether employers are keeping to the law in the treatment of employees
• Get relevant information from the employer that will allow the representative to carry
out his or her functions, such as representing an employee at a disciplinary hearing.
Organised labour
Trade unions are a form of organised labour.

Federations
A federation is a group of organisations that is made up of smaller
groups such as groups of trade unions or groups of employers’
organisations.

Main trade union federations:

- COSATU: Congress of South African Trade Unions
- NACTU: National Council of Trade Unions

Federations negotiate with government and represent their members.

 12

NEW LESSON
 WORK ETHICS AND 13

SOCIETAL
EXPECTATIONS
Ethics are moral principles and standards of conduct that tell us how we should act and
behave.
Work ethics show what is acceptable or good in the world of work.

Societal expectations are what people expect and believe you should do or how you
should behave:
• Work if you are able to do so
• Have work ethics
• Help to build the nation
• Fulfil your potential
• Pay taxes
• Contribute to the economy
• Create jobs for others
• Mentor others and pass on your knowledge and skills
 EXAMPLES OF WORK ETHICS AND
SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS:
• Adaptability: you are flexible and can cope with change
• Dependability: you are honest, reliable, and on time.
• Flexibility: you are willing to do a job that is not in your job description or after your normal working
hours
• Honesty: you do not take what is not yours
• Initiative: you can work without direct supervision; you have ideas of your own
• Attitude: you have a positive attitude towards your job; you are enthusiastic; you are motivated
• Reliability: you are trusted to do or provide what is needed
• Mentoring: you are expected to pass on your knowledge and skills and to help others develop.
 15

THE VALUE OF WORK: HOW

WORK GIVES MEANING TO LIFE
Meaning: importance, significance
Fulfilled: satisfied, contented, pleased
Passion: enthusiasm, zeal, eagerness
Self-actualisation: to achieve your potential

The value of work gives us purpose and meaning; and

it helps us to live fulfilled lives. To be fulfilled means to
be satisfied, contented, and happy.
 HOW TO BEHAVE TO LIVE A
16

MORE MEANINGFUL LIFE

• Experience life with full attention, focus and interest
• Try and learn new things
• Listen to and express your feelings
• Be honest
• Be prepared to be unpopular if your views do not agree with those of the
majority
• Take responsibility and work hard
• Never be bored with life
• If you can’t find a job, volunteer or study further
• Read many different books to broaden your mind
• Explore your potential. Never say: “I now know everything and have done
everything.” Accept that there is always more to learn and do.