CAREER & CAREER CHOICES The recruitment process   Core elements of a job contract Labour laws Equity and redress The recruitment process Trade unions and organised labour Work ethics and societal expectations The value of work: how work gives meaning to life GRADE 12 TERM 3

What are the core elements of a job contract? What is a job contract? Why is it important to sign a job contract? Why is a contract beneficial for the employer and employee?

A job contract is a document that states the rights and responsibilities between employer and employee. In South Africa the Basic Conditions Employment Act (BCEA) requires a job contract to be signed before one starts to word. The BCEA is a set of rules to ensure the fair treatment of workers.

A typical written contract of employment will contain the following (minimum) information: Employer and employee details: Full name and address of the employer   Employment details and job description: Date of employment, ordinary hours of work and days of work, description of work, places of work, type of work the employee will be required to do. Payment details: Wage or the rate and method of calculating; rate for overtime work; any other cash payments; any payment in kind and the value thereof; frequency of remuneration; any deductions. Leave details: How many days leave the employee is entitled to; Notice/contract period: Period of the contract or period of notice required if the employee or employer wants to terminate the contract. *A list of any other documents that form part of the contract, indicating a place where a copy of each may be obtained.

LABOUR LAWS: Worker rights and obligations and conditions of service The workplace is regulated by three main pieces of legislation: Labour Relations Act Employment Equity Act Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Labour Relations Act (LRA): The purpose of this Act is to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace in the work environment and to create a democratic workplace. The Act does this by providing a framework in which the relationship between employees and the trade unions representing them, on the one hand, and employers and their organisations, on the other hand, can be regulated. The LRA: Sets rules for the relationship between all parts of the labour sector. Promotes fair labour practices States that employers and employees are allowed to be part of trade unions and employer organisations and allows collective bargaining Expects employers and employees to settle arguments and disputes through negotiation and conciliation instead of strikes and going to court. Establishes the CCMA (Commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration)

…Labour Relations Act (LRA): As a worker and employer you have the right to: Fair labour practices Form or join a trade union Participate in a trade unions activities and programmes Strike Form and join an employer’s organisation and participate in its activities.

Employment Equity Act (EEA): The aim of the EEA is to: Make the workplace a place of equal opportunity in which all groups are represented. Focus on the removal of unfair workplace discrimination (policies and practice) Apply affirmative action, which is not considered as unfair discrimination.

Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA): The BCEA regulates and rules that fair labour practices are in place (controls and standardises the basic conditions of employment and covers the basic terms of employment).

…Basic Conditions of Employment Act Working hours, leave, employment contracts and records, wages and deductions, termination of service, ban on child labour and forced labour, deviations from basic service conditions A shortened version of this Act has to be displayed in each workplace with five or more employees.

Principles of equity and redress Labour laws in South Africa promote equity to overcome the unfairness of the past. Every employer must take steps to promote equal opportunity in the workplace by eliminating unfair discrimination in any employment policy or practice.   No one is allowed to discriminate against an employee because of his/her race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language and birth.

An employer is however allowed to discriminate if it seems fair: if someone must wear a product as advertisement, for example make-up, the employer is allowed to rather appoint a female instead of a male. Redress: Redress is the correction of the past and current things which are wrong to restore equity. The EEA is an example of a manner which the unfair past is being corrected. The act enforces affirmative action.

The recruitment process: general trends and practices A Recruitment Process is an organization-specific model of how the sourcing of new employees is undertaken. It is important to have knowledge about the recruitment process so that you are equipped when you apply for a job. Remember, knowledge is power! There are various ways in which an employer may recruit employees. The most common processes start off with advertisements in newspapers, magazines, notice boards, department of labour, social media etc. Many people get to hear about a vacancy by word of mouth. A professional recruitment agency can be asked to scout for possible employees.

Trade unions and organised labour Trade unions are organised associations of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests. Trade unions are a form of organised labour.

Trade union officials have the right to enter workplace to recruit members and communicate with them. They are also allowed to hold meetings with employees at the workplace, but not in work hours. Trade union representatives may check whether employers are keeping to the law in the treatment of employees Trade unions are advised to register at the Department of labour. Trade unions must act according to constitutional principles and without corruption. Trade unions are allowed to bargain collectively: for example negotiate wages on behalf of the members. Trade union members are allowed to strike and have protection against dismissal as a result of a legal strike. Protest actions are legal. Employees are not paid for the days they miss at work because of a strike. If there is misconduct during a strike, members may be dismissed or called for a disciplinary hearing.

Work ethics and societal expectations Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity. Work ethics has to do with acceptable behaviour in the world of work – a set of values that should be followed to ensure a healthy work environment.

Examples of good work ethics: Having respect for your co-workers Being honest Asking for help if you need it Being efficient with your use of time Being respectful Committed Competent Considerate Cooperative Courteous Dependable Empathetic Trustworthy Show integrity.

How does work contribute to giving meaning to life? The value of work Group discussion: How does work contribute to giving meaning to life?

The value of work Someone who reaches the top position in their work or someone who is simply seen as hardworking and competent, commands respect. Someone who doesn’t earn a salary remains dependent on other people. Working provides people with a sense of purpose and meaning. The value of work means different things to different people.

What would your motivation be to work one day? What rewards can you gain from working?

What rewards can you gain from working? receiving money, personal satisfaction, gaining self-worth, sense of achievement, developing the community, creating jobs for others and increasing dignity

Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs. If one’s basic needs are satisfied, one can develop oneself to actualize oneself (develop your full potential). This is desirable in the workplace. Good work ethics will help one to reach self-actualization. Self-actualization is often people’s motivation and goal – they find purpose for life in their jobs because they develop themselves to reach self-actualization