Role With It

If you are an employer, it’s important to know what you’re responsible for

- Ivan Israelstam

One of the many remarkable things about the Labour Relations Act (LRA) is that the term ‘employer’ is not defined. The LRA uses this term frequently in placing heavy obligations on the employer by dictating that, for example:

Within 30 days of receiving a notice from a registered trade union the ‘employer’ must meet the union to conclude a collective agreement [Section 21(3)].

An ‘employer’ must disclose to a trade union representative (shop steward) all information relevant to the effective performance of his/her functions [Section 16(2)].

A dismissal is unfair if the ‘employer’ fails to prove the dismissal was for a fair reason or was affected in accordance with a fair procedure [Section 188(1)].