Managing People in South Africa: HR Fundamentals for Non-HR Managers

DAY 1 

1. Welcome and Introduction to HR in South Africa 

• Purpose of the Workshop 
• Understanding the manager’s role in basic HR functions 
• How HR supports broader business goals 
• Overview of the South African HR Context 
• Unique historical, social, and legislative factors 
• Importance of people management skills for team success 

2. SA Labour Legislation Essentials 

• Labour Relations Act (LRA) 
• Fair procedures, unfair dismissal, dispute resolution 
• Role of the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration) 
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) 
• Working hours, leave, overtime, rest periods 
• Employment Equity Act (EEA) 
• Prohibition of unfair discrimination 
• Affirmative action and reporting obligations 
• Skills Development Act 
• Skills levies and training obligations 

Goal: Managers learn to spot potential legal risks and ensure fair treatment of employees. 

3. Recruitment & Selection 

• Job Descriptions & Role Clarity 
• Writing inclusive and accurate job descriptions 
• Recruitment Process 
• Legal do’s and don’ts in interviews (avoiding discriminatory questions) 
• Shortlisting and selecting based on job-related criteria 
• Interviewing Techniques 
• Behavioural/competency-based interviewing 
• Consistency and fairness across candidates 
• Employment Equity & B-BBEE Implications 
• How transformation targets might affect selection decisions 

Goal: Managers gain practical skills to attract and select the best talent while complying with SA legal and equity requirements. 

4. Onboarding & Induction 

• Importance of Effective Onboarding 
• How strong onboarding drives engagement and retention 
• Structuring an Onboarding Program 
• Orientation to company policies, culture, and team dynamics 
• Role of the manager in first 90 days 
• Tools & Checklists 
• Essential documents, training sessions, and follow-up points 

Goal: Managers develop an effective onboarding plan that integrates new hires into the team and culture quickly. 

5. Performance Management & Goal Setting 

• Setting Clear Expectations 
• SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives 
• Regular Check-ins and Feedback 
• Constructive vs. destructive feedback 
• Documentation best practices 
• Performance Appraisals 
• Structuring formal reviews 
• Avoiding bias and ensuring fairness 
• Dealing with Underperformance 
• Early intervention, coaching, and performance improvement plans 
• Aligning corrective actions with legal requirements 

Goal: Managers learn to create a culture of continuous feedback and fair performance assessment. 

DAY 2 

6. Employee Relations & Conflict Management 

• Basics of Employee Relations 
• Building trust, openness, and respect 
• Handling Conflict on the Team 
• Root causes of conflict; mediation and problem-solving approaches 
• Grievance Procedures 
• Understanding formal grievance channels 
• Proper documentation and confidentiality 
• Union & Non-Union Environments (if relevant) 
• Manager’s responsibility in a unionized setup 
• Legal considerations and dispute resolution 

Goal: Managers can confidently address conflicts and maintain positive team dynamics. 

7. Discipline, Dismissals & CCMA 

• Progressive Discipline 
• Verbal warnings, written warnings, final warnings 
• Common pitfalls (e.g., inconsistent enforcement) 
• Dismissal Procedures 
• Substantive fairness and procedural fairness 
• Role of hearings and investigations 
• CCMA Overview 
• When and how a case goes to CCMA 
• Manager’s role in preparing evidence 
• Avoiding Unfair Dismissals 
• Correct processes, documentation, and consultation 

Goal: Managers understand how to follow fair and consistent disciplinary practices, reducing legal risks. 

8. Compensation & Benefits Basics 

• South African Pay Structures 
• Salaries, allowances, variable pay (bonuses/commission) 
• Statutory Contributions 
• UIF, Skills Development Levy, COIDA (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act) 
• Common Benefits 
• Medical aid, provident/pension funds, leave policies 
• Pay Equity and Transparency 
• Addressing fairness and retention through equitable compensation 

Goal: Managers appreciate how compensation fits into overall retention and engagement while complying with SA regulations. 

9. Employee Engagement & Retention 

• Why Engagement Matters 
• Linking engagement to productivity and morale 
• Engagement Drivers in South Africa 
• Recognition, development opportunities, and transformation goals 
• Manager’s Role in Retention 
• Identifying and addressing turnover risks 
• Creating a supportive culture (flexibility, communication) 
• Measuring Engagement 
• Surveys, focus groups, stay interviews 

Goal: Managers gain tactics to boost engagement, reduce turnover, and foster a positive work environment. 

10. Skills Development & Transformation 

• Skills Development Act and Levies 
• Importance of continuous training and claiming levies back 
• Workplace Skills Plans 
• Identifying team skill gaps and setting training priorities 
• Employment Equity & Transformation 
• Setting meaningful targets 
• Reporting and compliance 
• B-BBEE Basics (if applicable to organization) 
• Understanding the scorecard pillars 
• Linking training and development to transformation strategies 

Goal: Managers learn how to identify development needs, leverage government incentives, and support transformation objectives. 

11. HR Metrics and Reporting 

• Key HR Metrics for Line Managers 
• Turnover rate, absenteeism, engagement scores, performance metrics 
• Using Data to Inform Decisions 
• Identifying patterns and trends 
• Setting realistic targets and measuring improvement 
• Working with HR 
• Collaborating on data analysis and action plans 

Goal: Managers become comfortable with basic HR analytics to drive continuous improvement. 

12. Wrap-up and Action Planning 

• Recap of Key Learnings 
• Core principles of SA labour law, recruitment, performance, etc. 
• Individual Action Plans 
• Managers outline steps to implement workshop insights 
• Q&A and Feedback 

Goal: Participants leave with a clear understanding of how to apply HR principles in their day-to-day managerial roles.