Workshop – How to Be an Effective Complainant in a Disciplinary Enquiry

A Practical One-Day Workshop

Build a credible case. Present evidence with confidence. Get it right.

Employers often lose disciplinary cases not because the employee is innocent, but because the employer is ill-prepared and fails to present a structured and persuasive case at the disciplinary enquiry.

Acting as the complainant in a disciplinary enquiry requires more than simply laying a complaint. It requires a clear understanding of what must be proved, how evidence must be gathered and prepared, and how to present and test that evidence effectively.

This practical, one-day, in-person workshop is designed to equip managers, HR practitioners, and IR professionals with the skills required to investigate misconduct, prepare a disciplinary case, and present evidence confidently and effectively in disciplinary enquiries.

The workshop is highly practical and focused on real-world application, with step-by-step guidance on building and presenting a defensible case.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is suitable for:
• Managers and Supervisors
• HR Managers and HR Practitioners
• Industrial / Employee Relations Practitioners
• Anyone required to act as a complainant or present cases at disciplinary enquiries

Programme:

Introduction
• The legal framework governing disciplinary enquiries
• What the employer must prove
• Onus and standard of proof

Proving Guilt
• Investigating misconduct
• Gathering relevant and admissible evidence

Preparing Evidence
• Rules of evidence in disciplinary enquiries
• Witness evidence
• Documentary evidence
• Physical objects and other forms of evidence

Preparing for the Enquiry
• Drafting clear and legally sound charges
• Preparing a bundle of documents
• Preparing an effective opening statement

Presenting the Case
• Leading evidence
• Cross-examination: principles and techniques

Closing the Case
• Preparing and presenting a persuasive closing argument
• Addressing arguments in mitigation and aggravation

Presenter:

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 and Venue:

Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Birchwood Hotel, Viewpoint Road, Boksburg

Times:

08h00 – Registration, tea and coffee
08h30 – Start
10h30 – Tea break
12h30 – Lunch
15h00 – Afternoon tea break
16h30 – Finish

Fee per Delegate (Excl. VAT):

SAEFA Members: R3 600
Non-members: R4 200

Bookings and Enquiries:

For more information or to make a booking, please contact:
gordon@gordonangus.co.za