Exploring the current state of fair labour practices in South African organisations

The 1996 Constitution of South Africa (SA) underscores the vital principle of equality, emphasising the importance of providing all individuals with equal opportunities to access the nation’s resources. Despite efforts by many organisations in SA to promote labour peace, they still struggle to fully adhere to fair labour practices doctrine in their workplaces. This article explores the current state of fair labour practice in SA organisations. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research approach grounded in an interpretive paradigm. Ten participants from two South African organisations in Johannesburg were interviewed. Despite previous research indicating that legislation acts as a protective measure against unfair labour practices, this study’s findings indicate that unfair practices persist within South African organisations. Therefore, a potential first step in addressing these issues could be the establishment of a Human Resource (HR) department. Based on these findings, the study suggests that employers engage employees in the development of employment policies and procedures to promote fairness within organisations. Additionally, to ensure equitable treatment, it proposes clarifying the role of human resources in upholding fairness and conducting regular workshops, along with establishing a dedicated compliance committee. The study also recommends a regular review and revision of policies to ensure alignment with legislative and societal changes.