Dear Reader

Welcome to this week’s Labour Bulletin.

I hope you’ve settled into the swing of things this year. As I was saying a few weeks ago, they certainly keep things exciting here at FSP...and I’ve got some exciting news for you.

There'll be a new face on the Labour Bulletin soon

Susan will still be offering you her expert advice once a month and I’ll be offering you top HR and labour tips. We’ve just added another expert to the mix!

Tracy King is normally ‘behind the scenes’ in our department, but I think, with her knowledge of labour law (and her ability to keep her finger on the pulse of things), she’s the perfect editor for the Labour Watch newsletter. And so, she takes over from the next issue, heading up our team of experts on the Labour Team.

I’m sure she’s going to do a fantastic job...and I’m doubly sure you’re going to appreciate her advice.

Invaluable advice in your latest issue of Labour Watch

Now...if you’re a subscriber to Labour Watch, you’ll know exactly how useful it is. This month’s no different.

Your latest issue is hot off the press and on its way to you. Here’s what you can expect:

•    Insist on proper notification or you can discipline your employees for striking illegally!
•    When can the Labour Court intervene in your disciplinary proceedings?
•    5 Rules to follow to ensure your restraint agreement prevails in court
•    Checklist: What you should do to protect your interests
•    8 quick tips to alleviate workplace stress
•    Must you pay overtime to employees for training?
•    It’s your legal duty to prevent your employees being victimized at work!
•    4 Tips to prevent victimisation in your workplace

If you’re not a subscriber already, you’re missing out on all this invaluable advice! I suggest you have a look here...

The lead story in the Labour Watch newsletter is about strikes. I know this is always a hot topic, because a strike will lose you money! Here are some quick tips on negotiating with your Union about strikes, so you can resolve yours as soon as possible:

Checklist: Negotiating with the union about a strike

• Identify the exact causes of the strike
• Try to reduce the dispute to one clear and concrete issue you can bargain over
• Advise the union about the “no-work-no-pay” principle
• Don’t make any promises that you can’t or don’t intend to keep
• Try to preserve your relationship with your union and employees
• Negotiate with the representatives. The more you talk, the more chance you have of reaching a solution
• Explain your side of the story
• Inform the representatives of non-striking employees of your actions and proposed actions.

Until next week

Sarah-Jane Bosch