I can recall my gran telling us that she grew up with the saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”, which simply meant that if a children were not disciplined, they would not learn obedience and good manners. Discipline could mean anything from verbal chastisement to the use of physical force, like a […]
All was well in our online Rainbow Nation until 17 October 2017, when an Australian security researcher, Troy Hunt, tweeted the following to his South African followers “I have a very large breach titled “masterdeeds”. Names, genders, ethnicities, home ownership; looks gov, ideas?” Yip, this is the real deal! Allegedly about 30 million of South […]
A resignation is one of the means of bringing a contract of employment to an end. Hence, a resignation is a unilateral action. An employee does not (necessarily) need the employer’s cooperation when tendering in his/her resignation and the employer need not accept the resignation for it to be effective. Most people are still not […]
A popular plot in crime novels and TV shows involves someone committing a murder under circumstances where the reader or viewer sympathises with the murderer. There are variations on the theme; the deceased could be an abusive partner or someone who is abusing the murderer’s child, or the murder could be an act of vengeance. […]
I have slowly been following the story that has been unfolding regarding American NFL star Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand when the American National Anthem is played as a form of protest against racism. This raised a question as to whether it is illegal to not stand for the playing of your country’s national anthem […]
Knowing where political parties receive their funding is a useful and informative method of making an informed and responsible vote. In considering this, the High Court in the Western Cape came to a potentially ground-breaking decision last week. The question before the court was whether political parties should be required to disclose from whom or […]
No. A lot of people are under the impression that domestic violence is limited to physical abuse in a domestic relationship. However, domestic violence can also include the following: Sexual abuse Stalking Emotional abuse, which includes threats, humiliating behaviour as well as repeated insults Economic abuse Controlling or abusive behaviour which poses a threat to […]
The Rental Housing Act provides for the establishment of the Rental Housing Tribunal which is a statutory body equipped with mechanisms to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. The services it provides are free and are therefore a cost-effective approach in dealing with any rental dispute. Any tenant or landlord or group of tenants or […]
When I reflect on the pro bono work that my firm has done over the past few years, there is not a particular case that stands out. What stands out for me is the fresh perspective that the pro bono work has given me. Pro bono work has revealed the poignant side of the law […]
As a rule of thumb, genuine and bona fide negotiations, be they oral or in writing, between parties aimed at and undertaken with a view to a settlement of their disputes are privileged from disclosure as evidence whether or not the negotiations have been stipulated to be without prejudice. The without prejudice rule of English […]
Not many of you are aware, but there is a quick, easy and cost-effective way to get rid of that unwanted employee, without having to be dependent on a charge of misconduct, incapacity or operational requirement. This is called a mutual separation… An employer and employee can agree to enter into a mutual separation agreement […]
If you are active on any form of social media (and if you are reading this, you must be), you will have seen the touching story in which an under 16 cross-country runner stopped to help another runner who had collapsed 150 meters from the finish line. It was so refreshing to see some good […]
Starting a business is, and always will be, a risk. There are many factors at play that determine whether it will be a success or a failure, one of which is having to employ people. One way employers attempt to combat this risk is to employ people on a probationary basis, in essence giving them […]
With World Literacy Day coming up, it is opportune to consider what an education means to a child. An education not only uplifts children, but allows for the development and fulfilment of their potential. Ideally, every country in the world should have a 100% literacy (and numeracy, for that matter) rate, which means that every […]
Today is secretaries’ day. But I think it should be called support staff day. In a business that sells products, when there is a big sale, the sales team gets the credit. In a manufacturing business, when there is a production record, the production team gets the credit. When an advertising agency wins a Cannes […]