Mid-Year Labour Law Update (#MLLU2025)

The workshop will cover the following themes that are emerging in case law and statutory amendments, and which can not be ignored –

1. Digital Transformation and Employment Law

2. Recent Labour Court, Labour Appeal Court and Constitutional cases

3. NEDLAC Proposed amendments on the LRA, BCEA, EE, and NMW Acts

4. Risk Management and Compliance

5. Innovation in LR Practices

Why Attend MYLLU?

1. Labour Law Review – major changes coming out of NEDLAC unpacked

The significant amendments to labour laws that arise from the NEDLAC social partner negotiations over the past 2 years will be addressed in the context of current and predicted case law. The resulting impact on policies, employment relations and costs, and workforce strategies will be addressed. The scope includes the amendments to the NMW Act, BCEA, LRA, and the EEA, which will probably be promulgated in Q3 or Q4 of 2025.

2. The Power of Being Ahead of the Evolution Curve

Delve into the latest case law emanating primarily from the Labour Appeal Court, the Labour Court, and various topical arbitration awards that provide insight into current and imminent employment relations imperatives. These legal decisions cover the entire employment lifecycle regulated by labour law, from recruitment and selection, employment contracting and succession planning, remuneration and terms of employment, through dismissals, retirement and abscondments, and discrimination, as well as:

• Revolutionary interpretations of restraint of trade - from protecting business interests to ensuring fair competition, including selective enforcement and urgent applications

• Game-changing rulings on religious discrimination that redefine workplace accommodation and employee rights

• Critical new standards for operational requirement dismissals and alternative employment obligations

• Pivotal developments in handling sexual harassment claims and workplace gender discrimination

• Groundbreaking decisions on CCMA jurisdiction in dismissal disputes and res judicata

• Essential guidance on transfers of business under section 197 and employee rights

• Fresh perspectives on protected disclosures and whistleblower protection during disciplinary proceedings

• Must-know developments in workplace violence during strikes and employee misconduct

• Cutting-edge rulings on demotion and unfair labour practices

• Key decisions on collective agreement disputes and bargaining council jurisdiction

• Critical updates on fixed-term contract terminations and date of dismissal calculations

• Landmark rulings on employer and employee obligations regarding confidential information

• Pivotal cases clarifying disciplinary hearing requirements and procedural fairness

• Essential guidance on employee removals and dismissals following third-party instructions

• New boundaries in dishonesty dismissals and banking sector obligations

3. Plus a dedicated section covering all the latest statutory amendments, including:

• Comprehensive Labour Law Review (LRA, EEA, BCEA, NMW Act)

• New Code of Good Practice on Dismissal

• Employment Equity Amendment Act and Ministerial Targets

This update brings together the most significant developments that will impact your workplace policies and procedures in 2025 and beyond.

4. In-Depth Learning Materials

Participants who register for and attend the Mid-Year Labour Law Update will be provided with a comprehensive set of presentation slides. These slides contain essential learning points for each case discussed during the seminar. You will also receive a meticulously curated compilation of over 200 Labour Law Cases, thoughtfully organized into various topics and presented in an electronic book form. We will unpack 40 of these most important cases.

South Africa's labour law landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, presenting both challenges and opportunities for employers and employees alike. As Court interpretations refine existing statutes and new regulations emerge, organizations must stay vigilant to ensure compliance and foster positive workplace relations. The Mid-Year Law Update (MLLU) is your essential guide to navigating this complex terrain.

Led by Jonathan Goldberg, Chairman of Global Business Solutions and one of South Africa's foremost authorities on labour law, ALLU provides unparalleled insights into the latest legal developments. With his experience as Labour Market Chamber Convenor at NEDLAC and Ministerial appointment to the National Minimum Wage Commission, Jonathan offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping South African labour policy.

Don't get caught off guard by shifting regulations or precedent-setting rulings. Join over 1000 of your peers at MLLU to get ahead of the curve and equip your organization with the knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic labour environment.

Key Topics:

IMPORTANT: In addition to the many Labour Appeal and Labour Court judgements, the impact of the vast amendments to labour laws that have been under negotiation at NEDLAC over the past 2 years will be an additional core focus area - this will include the coming amendments to the NMW Act, BCEA, LRA and the Employment Equity Act.

South African Labour Law Update: Key Developments

• Restraint of Trade: Courts are strictly enforcing non-compete agreements that protect legitimate business interests, while dismissing overly broad clauses.

• Religious Discrimination: Employers must reasonably accommodate religious observances, as seen in a ruling favouring a marketing manager dismissed for refusing to work on the Sabbath.

• Workplace Assessment Practices: Psychometric testing for promotions upheld as valid when within policy guidelines and fairly administered.

• Operational Retrenchments: Courts remain strict on consultation requirements and objective selection criteria, even when business necessity is clear.

• Confidentiality Breaches: Employees reinstated after courts determined shared emails were not actually confidential, highlighting proportionality in discipline.

• Strike-Related Misconduct: Violent strike action has lost legal protection, with courts granting interdicts against participants in destructive industrial action.

• Jurisdictional Boundaries: Clarification on when disputes must go through CCMA conciliation before court proceedings, particularly for severance claims.

• Union Rights: Supreme Court reinforces union communication rights and protection from employer interference.

• Settlement Enforcement: Employers face contempt charges for non-compliance with settlement agreements, with courts taking avoidance of legal service seriously.

• Evidence Standards: Dismissal rulings overturned where arbitrators improperly relied on hearsay evidence, reinforcing fair hearing requirements.

• Retirement Age Disputes: Constitutional Court clarification on when dismissals based on age constitute discrimination.

• Workplace Bullying: New precedents requiring employers to take proactive measures against harassment and toxic work environments.

#MLLU2025 is your comprehensive resource for understanding the current labour law landscape, equipping you with the knowledge to navigate and adapt to ongoing changes effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in South Africa's dynamic labour environment.

Presented by Global Business Solutions (GBS) - Your Partner in Strategic HR Compliance

All workshops are offered as customised in-house training that can be presented virtually or on-site.

*All courses and conferences are subject to minimum delegate numbers.

GBS is:

Qualifying Small Enterprise

Level 2 B-BBEE Contributor

53% Black Owned

More than 51% Black Women Owned