The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has partnered with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to develop a free-to-use Web tool aimed at guiding smaller businesses on labour relations matters and processes.
The Web portal consists of up-to-date information on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, such as labour practices, the National Minimum Wage Act, as well as contract templates and information sheets.
Small business owners can utilise the user-friendly Web tool to source information on how to recruit, how to manage employees and build sound workplace relationships, and how to end the employment relationship in a fair manner; according to the CCMA.
BUSA, a non-profit network representing organised business in SA, says the Web portal was inspired by a study it conducted in 2015/16, which showed small businesses struggled with labour relations, which was a key impediment to their formalisation and willingness to employ staff.
"The Web tool provides step-by-step guidance on employment law compliance requirements, helping to demystify labour relations within small businesses," says Cameron Morajane, director of the CCMA.
"It is designed to cut red tape and associated costs of labour relations compliance for small business, contributing to workplace stability for small business owners. It will also improve employer and employees' understanding of the employment laws and improve legislative compliance for small businesses."
BUSA says the Web tool project falls in line with government's National Development Plan ambitions to have no fewer than 90% of new jobs created by small businesses by 2030.
According to CCMA statistics, an estimated 80% of the institution's dispute cases originate from small businesses.
"In South Africa, many small businesses do not have in-house labour law expertise or the financial resources to comply with the complex administrative burden of hiring and managing staff.
"In addition, the cost of compliance is proportionately higher for small businesses. This often leads to non-compliance, a higher number of labour disputes and, at times, protracted court cases that are often detrimental to employment and the potential growth and success of small businesses," notes the CCMA.
While the Web tool is targeted at small businesses, it is generally accessible to the public free of charge, minimising the need for any employer to find and pay consultants or labour lawyers for basic industrial relations processes, it says.
The Web tool can be accessed at www.smelaboursupport.co.za.
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