Workplace Discipline: Getting It Right, From Counselling to Dismissals

Effective Workplace Discipline:

Getting It Right, From Counselling to Dismissals

Avoid the mistakes which could potentially cost your business

Section 185 of the Labour Relations Act gives all employees the right not to be unfairly dismissed. Yet many employers still make fundamental mistakes when taking corrective action against their employees. As an employer, there is nothing more frustrating than having to compensate or reinstate an employee who has broken your rules. The key to successful workplace discipline starts with understanding the principles of progressive discipline and ensuring you know the procedural requirements to ensure fairness.

All too often, employers are ill-prepared when taking disciplinary action against troublesome employees, particularly when it comes to conducting disciplinary enquiries. Even if you have experienced expert consultants available to chair such enquiries, things will not go your way unless you prepare thoroughly and present a well prepared, structured case to maximize your chances of success.

SAEFA, in association with Gordon Angus and Associates, is running a one-day workshop to guide employers through the discipline provisions of the Labour Relations Act.

Topics covered

Fair and effective discipline

Management’s disciplinary authority
The role of discipline
Employer and employee duties to a company
Disciplinary rules and standards
Sanctions
Disciplinary procedures
Issuing of warnings

Dismissal and the Labour Relations Act

What is a ‘dismissal’?
Fair reasons (substantive fairness)
Fair procedure (procedural fairness)
Onus
Unfair dismissal, automatically unfair dismissal and remedies for both

How to conduct a fair disciplinary enquiry

Requirements of a fair hearing
Preliminary investigation to collect evidence
Notification
Formulating the charge
Employee rights
Using checklists as a tool
How to conduct a disciplinary enquiry – the process
The key roles and characteristics of participants at a disciplinary enquiry
Closing statements
Verdict
Mitigation and aggravation
Penalty
Testing fairness
Appeal procedure
Fair enquiry guidelines and consequences of unfairness

Practical guidance on dealing with common disciplinary problems in the workplace

Absenteeism and poor timekeeping
Sick leave abuse
Theft/unauthorised use or removal of company property
Insubordination/refusal to carry out lawful and reasonable work instructions
Assault
Intoxication

Presenters

The course will be facilitated by Gordon Angus, Executive Director of SAEFA and Director of GA&A and Gia Freese, Associate at GA&A. Between them, they have 30 years’ experience in industrial relations and have trained and guided many companies in the implementation of effective discipline and are vastly experienced in chairing disciplinary enquiries and resolving disputes at the CCMA and bargaining councils.

Date, Time and Platform

Wednesday, 11 February 2026, Birchwood Hotel, Viewpoint Street, Boksburg.

Fee per delegate (Ex VAT)

SAEFA Members – R3600.00
Non SAEFA Members: R4200.00

For more information or to book, please contact Gordon at gordon@gordonangus.co.za.