2002 seems to have
disappeared in a flash and we are now at the beginning of 2003. Over
the past two years we have noticed that the Christmas season
definitely starts later and that it takes time for business to begin
again in January, but by this week South Africa should be back in
the saddle and ready for the new year.
All the indications are
that this is going to be a difficult year internationally, but a
good one for South Africa and we wish all our clients a successful
and prosperous New Year.
LEARNER SHIPS
In our opinion the focus
for this year will be on training and development and we are going
to be exploring the opportunities to make full use of the SETA
learnership programmes for the training of new entrants into the job
market. Attention will be given to mentorship programmes to ensure
that learners who are employed are able to meet the criteria of the
learnership programme they are registered for through the careful
mentoring of their progress. Attractive incentives have been given
by the Receiver of Revenue for each learner employed.
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
There is increasing
pressure on all Companies to ensure that they comply with the act
and that sufficient attention is being given to affirmative action.
The role of the Employment Equity Committee or Forum is becoming
more important, particularly in view of the SETA requirements that a
training committee be formed. The Code of Good Practice recommends
monthly meetings of these committees, however, we believe that
quarterly meetings are sufficient. During the months of January and
February the Employment Equity / Training Committee should be
reviewing the progress of the Company’s training against the
training plan submitted to the SETA and ensuring that at least 65%
of the training planned has in fact taken place. This is the measure
the SETA has put in place before the second training grant will be
awarded.
LABOUR ACTS
It is a legal
requirement that employers display the following acts in their
workplaces:
Basic Conditions of
Employment Act
Labour Relations Act
Employment Equity Act
Should you require
laminated copies of these acts please contact Lynette to make
arrangements for them to be ordered.
We recommend a review of
all Policy and Procedure manuals to ensure that they accommodate the
legal changes that have occurred during 2002.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
FUND
We understand that there
has been some uncertainty with regard to the application of the new
unemployment act and that many applications for unemployment
insurance are being refused because documentation is being required
that the employee or the employer do not have readily available.
Unemployment Insurance
will only be paid to employees who have been dismissed or
retrenched. In order to apply they must have their last 6 pay slips.
The pay slip must show the basis on which UIF has been deducted.
Should an employee be given accommodation or food, the UIF amount
must be increased to accommodate this.
It is illegal for an
employer to contribute the employee’s portion of the UIF payment.
The employee’s pay slip must show that he pays 1% of his salary
towards UIF. UIF is based on the gross salary of an employee,
excluding any commission payable. It cannot be based on the cost to
company package.
Guidelines are being
awaited with regard to the maximum that an employer can pay an
employee who is on maternity leave. Up until now it has been
determined at 33% of salary, however, because of the new sliding
scale and the maximum amount payable being based on a salary of
R8099-00 per month, for women earning in excess of R8099-00 it
appears that employees may be able to contribute the difference
between their normal nett salary and the amount that UIF pays. We
are awaiting confirmation of this from UIF.
FEES
We normally review our
rates in January of each year. Attached is a schedule of the fees
applicable to the services we offer. Should you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact us.
STAFF UPDATE
We would like to welcome
Jenny de Villiers who has joined Connold & Associates as an
associate. Jenny has had experience in the retail industry and has
generalist experience. We are sure she will be a strong addition to
our team.
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS
Please note that we have
changed our domain address and our new e-mail is desrae@connold.co.za.
In the next few weeks all our staff will have a Connold e-mail in a
similar format.
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