Handling Employee Grievances in the South African Workplace

Details

Handling Employee Grievances with Confidence and Compliance

1-Day Practical Workshop for Managers, HR and Team Leaders

Unresolved grievances can erode morale, damage trust, and lead to costly disputes. This hands-on workshop equips managers and HR professionals with the tools and legal insight to manage employee grievances fairly, confidently, and in line with South African labour law. Learn how to distinguish grievances from disciplinary issues, conduct respectful and effective meetings, and resolve concerns before they escalate. Gain practical skills in conflict resolution, documentation, and outcome communication - while ensuring compliance with the LRA and your internal policies.

Create a more transparent, legally compliant, and respectful workplace- one conversation at a time.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Define what constitutes a grievance and distinguish it from disciplinary matters.
Understand the legal framework governing grievances, including the LRA and BCEA.
Follow a fair grievance-handling process, from receipt to resolution.
Apply their company’s grievance policy in a compliant and effective way.
Conduct investigations and grievance meetings using appropriate communication and documentation techniques.
Manage conflict constructively, using active listening and de-escalation strategies.
Avoid common legal pitfalls that lead to CCMA referrals or procedural unfairness.
Promote a culture of fairness and open communication in the workplace.
Document and communicate grievance outcomes in a clear, legally sound manner.

Delivery Methods

Delivery Method	Duration
Classroom	1 days	Get a Quote
Live Virtual Training	1 days	Get a Quote

Discounts Available

Brochure:

Information may change without notice.

Audience

Line managers and supervisors
HR practitioners and employee relations officers
Team leaders or project managers
Small business owners managing teams

Pre-Requisites

Basic understanding of workplace structures and roles
- (Ideal for those already in supervisory, HR, or team leadership positions)
Familiarity with internal company policies
- (Participants should ideally know or have access to their organisation’s grievance procedure)
Previous exposure to people management
- (Not essential, but useful for applying concepts in real scenarios)
Recommended (but not mandatory):
- Prior attendance at an introductory labour law or disciplinary process session
- Some experience dealing with employee concerns or complaints

Course Outline / Curriculum

Understanding Grievances
- What qualifies as a grievance and why effective handling matters.
Legal Framework & Policy Alignment
- Rights and responsibilities under the LRA and company policy.
Step-by-Step Grievance Handling Process
- From receiving the complaint to investigation and resolution.
Facilitating Grievance Meetings
- Communication, documentation, and outcome delivery.
Conflict Resolution Skills for Managers
- Listening, questioning, managing emotions, and de-escalation.
Common Pitfalls & Legal Risks
- Mistakes to avoid and how to stay CCMA-compliant.
Creating a Culture of Fairness
- Encouraging open communication and proactive problem-solving.

Schedule Dates and Booking

There are currently no scheduled dates.

Please note that this course needs a minimum of 6 delegates to schedule a course. You can choose to be added to the waiting list by clicking the button below, and we will contact you when we have enough delegates interested. Should we not get enough delegates, we will refund or credit your paid booking.

Add me to the waiting list

Should you need this course urgently, the following options are available:

Pay for 6 delegates (whether you have them or not) and we will schedule the course as soon as possible.
If you have fewer delegates and cannot pay for 6, we can negotiate a shortened course where some of the time will be spent in blended learning - watching videos and doing tutorials and exercises with some contact time with the trainer. We would want to discuss what your core needs are so that we cover those aspects. You need to have paid for 3 delegates at least.

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