The effect AIDS has on your business…
Labour Bulletin | 2 December, 2011 | Hot Topics:
Dear employer
The Aids epidemic has become a global crisis as it has a direct and indirect impact on business. In South Africa more than 30% of the work force is infected with HIV.
Employers are experiencing reduced productivity and declines in profits as a result of employee absenteeism and death. Declining and fluctuating productivity makes it difficult for a company to meet supply demands from customers, and even reduces service levels- which all has an effect on the company’s growth and development.
Rising production costs for business not only affect current profits, but also future profits. What this actually means is that bigger companies that usually invest in smaller companies are themselves being affected by HIV/Aids. Their own levels of production are decreasing and they become less likely to invest in smaller businesses.
Your company could have substantial costs directly linked to HIV/Aids, such as insurance cover, pension or retirement funds, health and safety provisions, medical assistance, HIV testing and counseling.
*******************
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
LatentStyleCount="267">
<![endif]-->
Yikes!
Just when you thought you had seen the last of that troublesome employee- you get a notification to appear at the CCMA!!
But do you even know what you need to do or take with you? Do you need to take evidence? Or witnesses? Are there papers to file?
Fortunately we have just the tool to equip you with all the processes and procedures of the CCMA.
We will also provide you with great, easy-to-follow tips on how to fairly dismiss an employee so that your time spent at the CCMA is limited and you can get on with the business of business!
*******************
Whether you employ one person or 100, you MUST display summaries of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Employment Equity Act.
In recent amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, all businesses with five or more employees MUST implement a health and safety structure. Display the legal facts to empower your employees to make their OWN practical and reasonable decisions about health and safety in their workplace.
*****************
The impact HIV and Aids can have on your business
· Decrease in productivity and profitability
· Decrease in turnover
· Increase in product cost (as labour costs go up because you have to pay overtime or casual workers to produce, while still paying for the employee on sick leave)
· Decreased demand for your product
· Increased medical aid costs
· Increase in labour turnover
· Loss of critical skills
· Costly re-employment of staff
· Pension plans affected
· Increased sick leave
· Costly care and counseling
· Overstretched human resources function
· Loss of man hours due to days off for funerals, etc.
· Social impact will influence business impact
· Low morale
· Increased stress
Let's look at what made headlines in the Labour Bulletin this week:
After this Friday, forget our deal…
Thu, 1st December 2011
Here's how to say "You're Fired"...
Wed, 30th November 2011
Every employee form, policy and sample you'll ever need - for less than R30
Wed, 30th November 2011
A flick of a page and VOILA!
Tue, 29th November 2011
6 Things never to forget in a disciplinary hearing...
Mon, 28th November 2011
***************************************
Ways to manage HIV in the workplace:
· Ensure there’s a first aid kit on the premises and it is accessible to employees.
· If it is locked, there needs to be someone on-site who carries the key.
· Ensure there are sufficient pairs of gloves in the kit so they can be used during the response.
For more on how to manage HIV/Aids in the workplace, go to the H01 section of your Labour Law for Managers Handbook.
Until next week...
Michelle Govender
FSP Business: Personnel
Enjoying this article? Sign up for our free daily email, Labour Bulletin, to receive tips tools and advice to solve all your labour problems - Delivered to your inbox every weekday. Sign up to the Labour Bulletin.
Editors note
Michelle Govender
Labour Bulletin Editor
The Labour Bulletin team speaks to subscribers every week on landmark labour events and offer valuable and practical information from the Handbook, from questions and answers and from our experts that subscribers can use now to benefit their business.