Labour Law and Labour Relations Course

Labour Law and Labour Relations Training

Master South African Labour Law Under Current Legislative Frameworks

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Date Venue Duration
22 - 23 September 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 2 Days
17 - 18 December 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 2 Days

Course Introduction

Labour legislation presents significant challenges in South African business environments, characterised by a complex maze of laws governing employment practices and continuous legislative updates. Prospen Africa’s Labour Law and Labour Relations Course training course is essential to equip managers and employee representatives with the knowledge and skills needed to foster trust-based relationships within the organisation. It emphasises creating a positive work culture that boosts productivity and enhances employee well-being, even amidst conflicts.

Key Topics to Be Covered

  • Effective trust-building in unionised environments 
  • The Union’s role in fostering a productive work environment 
  • Engaging and coaching techniques to align with organisational interests 
  • Recognising rights, establishing boundaries, and understanding obligations 
  • Disciplinary management and application 
  • Effective performance management strategies 
  • Developing negotiation, mediation, and conflict management skills 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will: 

  • Navigate the complexities of labour legislation with updated knowledge and skills 
  • Cultivate positive labour relations and manage union interactions proactively 
  • Implement effective performance management and disciplinary systems 
  • Tackle employment issues with a nuanced understanding of policies and legal requirements 
  • Conduct negotiations and resolve disputes with heightened competence 
  • Apply labour legislation accurately within their organisational practices 
  • Promote good industrial relations through substantive principles and sound management of diverse workforce issues 

Who should attend?

  • Managers New to Unionised Environments 
  • Front-Line Supervisors and Team Leaders Working with Unionised Employees 
  • HR Supervisors and Labour Relations Leaders Managing Skilled Tradespeople 
  • HR Specialists in Employee Relations, Negotiating, and Mediating 
  • Anyone Seeking to Expand Their Expertise in Labour Relations and Labour Law 
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Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Module One: Managing Poor Performance
  • Cultivating a performance-based culture
  • Setting clear expectations and performance standards
  • The Union and Management's shared responsibilities
  • Methods for performance coaching and improvement
  • Managing absenteeism and underperformance
  • Performance evaluation techniques
  • Procedures for discipline, addressing grievances, and conducting dismissals

Module Two: Discipline & Disciplinary Action
  • Conducting thorough investigations
  • Understanding disciplinary standards and norms, applying the current Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (effective September 2025, which replaced the previous Schedule 8 framework)
  • Clarifying roles and responsibilities during disciplinary processes
  • Importance of evidence and meticulous record-keeping
  • Ensuring fair disciplinary procedures
  • Preparing for and conducting hearings and appeals
  • Considering mitigating factors in disciplinary actions

Module Three: Employment Issues
  • Implementing effective grievance procedures
  • Adherence to codes of conduct and company policies
  • Management of employment contracts, including temporary and contract workers
  • Enforcing affirmative action and conditions of service
  • Dealing with unfair labour practices and dismissals
  • Navigating recruitment, termination, and retrenchment processes
  • Regulations on working hours and leave entitlements

Module Four: Industrial Relations Negotiations
  • Techniques for successful union and wage negotiations
  • Engagement with worker participation and the role of trade unions and shop stewards
  • Handling strikes, lockouts, and protest actions effectively

Module Five: Dispute Resolution
  • Strategies for conciliation and arbitration, aware of current CCMA case law such as De Wet v CCMA, which confirmed that delays in taking disciplinary action are not automatically unfair and that fairness depends on context, the nature of the allegations, and employer justifications
  • Conducting arbitration hearings and reviews
  • Preparing and understanding arbitration awards and settlement agreements

Module Six: Labour Legislation
  • In-depth exploration of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, including the current earnings threshold of R269,600.90 per annum (R22,466.74 per month), effective 1 May 2026
  • Understanding the Labour Relations Act, including awareness of the Labour Law Amendment Bill (Government Gazette No. 54220, 26 February 2026) — the most comprehensive review of South Africa's employment legislation in more than a decade
  • Complying with the Occupational Health & Safety Act
  • Engaging with CCMA, Bargaining Councils, and Labour Courts

Module Seven: Good Industrial Relations Practices
  • Performance management across various employment categories
  • Addressing: grooming and promotions; on and off-job misconduct; religious beliefs in the workplace; harassment, fraud, and dishonesty; substance abuse; health and safety compliance; conflict of interest; criminal offences within employment
  • Emerging issues such as diversity in labour relations

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Success Stories

Discover how our courses enhance professionals’ effectiveness in their workplaces.

ELIDZ

Thrive as an Intern: Managing Anxiety, Building Resilience & Handling Rejection

The training was very insightful, contents shared are relatable, and the facilitator is amazing in such a way that he is able to reference practical examples to make concepts understandable and relatable to all. Listening and interacting with him is easy because he opens the platform for everyone, even when he is speaking, you are able to listen attentively with understanding because he is well informed, passionate, and well prepared. He knows his story. Lastly, the session is very interactive and interesting, you constantly looking forward to hear more and say more as well.

East London IDZ

Managing Anxiety, Building Resilience & Handling Rejection

The training was very insightful, and I learnt a lot about Resilience & Handling Rejection. I am glad I was part of the training

Central Bank of Lesotho

Unlock HR's Strategic Power with Modern HRIS

The programme was fascinating and informative.

FAQs –Labour Law and Labour Relations Training

master south african labour law frameworks, employment equity regulations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and fair labour practices to ensure statutory compliance and minimize workplace legal risks.

What topics are covered in the Labour Law and Labour Relations course?
The course covers employment legislation frameworks (LRA, BCEA, EEA), employment contract drafting, managing workplace discipline and poor performance, CCMA arbitration procedures, trade union engagement, collective bargaining, and fair retrenchment processes.
Who should attend this labour law and relations training?
This course is designed for HR managers, labor relations officers, line managers, supervisors, legal advisors, union representatives, and business executives responsible for maintaining workplace compliance, managing grievances, and chairing disciplinary hearings.
What are the key learning objectives of this training program?
Delegates learn to navigate labor statutory requirements, mitigate unfair dismissal risks, conduct fair disciplinary inquiries, manage employer-union dynamics, handle dispute resolution processes effectively, and implement compliant workplace policies.
How long is the Labour Law and Labour Relations course?
The course is delivered as an intensive 3-day practical workshop combining mock disciplinary hearings, case law review, dispute resolution simulations, and practical template customization.
What practical skills will participants gain from this course?
Participants gain hands-on skills in formulating legally sound disciplinary charges, chairing hearings, drafting fair employment contracts, preparing CCMA referral documentation, and negotiating collective agreements with trade unions.
Can Prospen Africa deliver this course as customized in-house training?
Yes. Prospen Africa provides tailored on-site and in-house group training, adapting scenario exercises, disciplinary codes, and legal references to reflect your company's specific industry, workplace agreements, and operational policies.

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