Dear South African employer or employee, here are the updated workplace rules...
Employers will no longer be required to screen employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms.
Recently, Employment and Labour minister Thulas Nxesi published new labour laws for the South African employers and employees.
They generally all have to do with appropriate and acceptable rapport in the workplace, your vaccination status, COVID-19-related laws in the workplace, and the procedures and laws for the employment of foreign nationals.
READ MORE: Is the hiring company allowed to ask for your payslip?
The Draft National Labour Migration Policy and Employment Services Amendment Bill gives Nxesi the right to make regulations regarding the employment of foreign nationals.
These will include the appropriate measures employers should take confirming there was no suitable candidate in the country, the necessary documentation and records employers should keep regarding foreign national employees, and the criteria and procedure to apply for an exemption from the minister.
In this Bill, it also states that a private employment agency providing employment services simply "for gain” has been removed. So if you're a business or group that offers vast employment services to other business, it is required that you also register your business as a private employment agency.
The above is absolutely important; go register your business!
WATCH: Do I have to disclose my vaccination status to my employer?
The Code of Practice for Managing Exposure to Sars-CoV-2 in the Workplace 2022 states that employers will no longer be required to screen employees daily for COVID-19 symptoms.As an employee, it is necessary that you to share with your employer that you have COVID-19 symptoms.
The code also includes that employers accept when some employees refuse to get vaccinated.
It is not required that you share your vaccination status.
READ MORE: Want extra money? Job hunting tips ahead of 2022
Workplace bullying falls under The Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, therefore making it an issue big enough to report to HR.
BusinessTech describes this as unwanted persistent conduct (or a single incident), which is serious and demeans, humiliates, or creates a hostile or intimidating work environment.
Some examples of workplace bullying include harassing; offending, professionally or socially excluding someone, or negatively affecting their work tasks. (BusinessTech)
READ MORE: Looking for a job? These are the most in-demand skills to future-proof yourself
Let's stay on the right side of the law...
FOR RELATED CONTENT:
Main Image Courtesy: Pexels