PRACTICAL LABOUR LAW
ONLINE SHORT COURSE
Gain practical insight into the complexities of South African labour law.
8 weeks, excluding orientation.
7–12 hours of self-paced learning per week, entirely online.
Email: uctonline@getsmarter.com
Call: +27 87 551 8063
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Over eight weeks, students will have extensive exposure to all facets of South African labour law that can be practically applied in the workplace.
Empower yourself with the knowledge needed to advance and implement fair labour practices at work, whether as an employee or employer. Learn how to confidently navigate the relevant legislation outlined in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act, and the Employment Equity Act, along with many other invaluable learning takeaways.
“I’ve found that many managers probably have the skills to manage a group of people or departments, but aren’t familiar with legal labour processes, especially regarding disciplinary processes. That’s the reason why I took this course. My intention is to be the voice for the voiceless.”
Goolam Fakier
Past Student
WHAT THIS COURSE COVERS
South African labour law has evolved significantly over the years. Some legislation has been amended while issues such as employment equity have become more important for the modern workplace. Employers, HR practitioners, and legal professionals must stay up to date with the latest amendments and overall employee legislation, to ensure that companies and businesses are always in compliance.
The course looks at the local employment law landscape, its various acts, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. On the course, students will learn how to navigate the complexities of contracting, dismissal and retrenchment, and discover strategies for avoiding workplace discrimination. You’ll also gain insight into the role of the CCMA in employee practices.
A POWERFUL COLLABORATION
Since 2007, the University of Cape Town (UCT) has partnered with digital learning experts GetSmarter to take its renowned education online. This move is driven by UCT’s goal to broaden access to the research and information developed at Africa’s leading university, and make it available to those previously excluded due to geographical constraints. UCT’s scope extends to all areas of sub-Saharan Africa, providing both the institution and its future students with opportunities for further growth.
ABOUT UCT
Founded in 1829, UCT has a proud tradition of academic excellence and effecting social change and development through its pioneering scholarship, faculty, and students. UCT’s reputation for excellence is underpinned by its distinctive research, led by its distinguished faculty, many of whom are leaders in their field.
ABOUT GETSMARTER
GetSmarter, part of edX, helps working professionals gain verifiable skills from leading global universities and institutions to thrive in an ever-changing work environment.
Technology meets academic rigour in GetSmarter’s people-mediated model, which enables lifelong learners across the globe to obtain industry-relevant skills that are certified by the world’s most reputable academic institutions.
As a student of this course, you will also gain unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network at no extra cost. This platform will provide you with valuable career resources and events to support your professional journey. You can look forward to benefits including rich content, career templates, webinars, workshops, career fairs, networking events, panel discussions, and exclusive recruitment opportunities to connect you with potential employers.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
You’ll be welcomed to the course and begin connecting with fellow students, while exploring the navigation and tools of your Online Campus. Be alerted to key milestones in the learning path, and review how your results will be calculated and distributed.
You’ll be required to complete your student profile, confirm your email address for the delivery of your digital certificate, and submit a digital copy of your passport/identity document.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
An introduction to labour law in South Africa.
- Describe the main labour statutes and compare the courts that labour disputes can be taken to
- Describe the statutory bodies that affect the development of labour law
- Explain the employment relationship, who is party to it and what their duties are under labour law
Learn about the individual employment contract.
- Identify elements and procedures of the individual contract of employment
- Review the duties of employers and employees
- Interpret the Basic Conditions of Employment Act
Learn about workplace discipline and what constitutes an unfair dismissal.
- Discuss general principles of discipline in the workplace
- Identify the various grounds that constitute a dismissal in law
- Complete a document outlining the disciplinary procedure for a fictional company
- Differentiate between a normal dismissal and an automatically unfair dismissal
Learn about dismissal for misconduct and poor performance or incapacity.
- Analyse whether a dismissal for misconduct has a fair reason
- Analyse whether a dismissal for misconduct has followed a fair procedure
- Identify what constitutes poor work performance and when it is fair to dismiss on these grounds
- Explain ill health or injury and when it is fair to dismiss someone on these grounds
Learn about dismissal for operational requirements, closures, mergers and sale of business.
- Identify what constitutes an "operational requirement" in terms of employment law
- Articulate the requirements for fairness in dismissals for operational requirements
- Investigate the effect of a business transfer on employees in terms of employment law, be it under normal or insolvent circumstances
- Recommend what information should be prepared for a retrenchment consultation
Learn about unfair labour practice and employment equity.
- Outline the most common examples of what constitutes unfair labour practices
- Identify the most common forms of unfair discrimination in the workplace
- Explain how claims of unfair discrimination in the workplace should be resolved
- Articulate how the principles of affirmative action should be implemented in the workplace
An introduction to collective labour law and industrial action in South Africa.
- Outline the general principles in relation to collective labour law
- Identify the agents in the bargaining process and explain how this process is conducted
- Discuss the nature and importance of collective agreements in terms of employment law
- Illustrate the legal effect of and potential remedies for different forms of protests and industrial action
- Complete part of a strike contingency plan
Learn about dispute resolution and the various courts and councils that are involved.
- Recall the different types of disputes that may occur in labour law
- Identify the various mechanisms through which labour disputes may be resolved
- Illustrate an understanding of the role of the CCMA in employment dispute resolution
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE
With an expansive overview of South African labour laws, this course will benefit HR practitioners, as well as those involved in workplace employee forums.
It’s also ideal for legal professionals who’d like to learn how to handle labour-related issues, and small business owners who need up-to-date knowledge of employment regulations to ensure business and workplace compliance and the fair treatment of staff.
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO:
ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS
Gain new knowledge and skills related to the field of South African labour law.
UNDERSTAND HR PRACTICES
Stay alert to new updates on South African labour laws, employee rights and other facets of employee management.
RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE
Validate your new-found labour law expertise with a certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
WHO YOU’LL LEARN FROM
This subject matter expert from UCT guides the course design and appears in a number of course videos, along with a variety of industry professionals.
YOUR COURSE CONVENOR
Lindani Mkhwanazi
Lecturer, Department of Commercial Law, UCT
Mkhwanazi is a lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Commercial Law, where he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. He holds a Master of Laws degree specialising in labour law from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Western Cape. In 2019, he gained invaluable experience conducting legal research for full-time and acting Judges at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. Mkhwanazi’s research interests include labour law, social security law, and aspects of company law. His PhD research focuses on extending socioeconomic protection and reducing insecurity for workers in South Africa's formal economy. Over the years, he has taught courses such as Law for Engineers, Business Law I, Labour Law, and Individual Employment Law. He currently convenes the Labour Law course for non-law students at UCT.
HOW YOU’LL LEARN
Every course is broken down into manageable, weekly modules, designed to accelerate your learning process through diverse learning activities:
- Work through your downloadable and online instructional material
- Interact with your peers and learning facilitators through weekly class-wide forums and reviewed small group discussions
- Enjoy a wide range of interactive content, including video lectures, infographics, live polls, and more
- Investigate rich, real-world case studies
- Apply what you learn each week to quizzes and ongoing project submissions, culminating in an understanding of the role of the CCMA in employment dispute resolution
YOUR SUCCESS TEAM
GetSmarter, with whom UCT is collaborating to deliver this online course, provides a personalised approach to online education that ensures you’re supported throughout your learning journey.
HEAD TUTOR
A subject expert who’ll guide you through content-related challenges.
SUCCESS ADVISOR
Your one-on-one support available during university hours (8am–5pm SAST) to resolve technical and administrative challenges.
GLOBAL SUCCESS TEAM
Available 24/7 to solve your tech-related and administrative queries and concerns.
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE
Earn a certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town, Africa’s leading university, as recognition of your newly developed skills.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
In order to complete this course, you’ll need a current email account and access to a computer and the internet, as well as a PDF Reader. You may need to view Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, and read and create documents in Microsoft Word or Excel.
BROWSER REQUIREMENTS
Certain courses may require additional software and resources. These additional software and resource requirements will be communicated to you upon registration and/or at the beginning of the course. Please note that Google, Vimeo, and YouTube may be used in our course delivery, and if these services are blocked in your jurisdiction, you may have difficulty in accessing course content. Please check with an Enrolment Advisor before registering for this course if you have any concerns about this affecting your experience with the Online Campus.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Certain courses may require additional software and resources. These additional software and resource requirements will be communicated to you upon registration and/or at the beginning of the course. Please note that Google, Vimeo, and YouTube may be used in our course delivery, and if these services are blocked in your jurisdiction, you may have difficulty in accessing course content. Please check with an Enrolment Advisor before registering for this course if you have any concerns about this affecting your experience with the Online Campus.
