Greglin Nel
Senior Employee Relations and Employment Law Professional
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About
A highly motivated, solutions-driven Senior Employee Relations Professional and Admitted Attorney with over 10 years’ experience in labour and employment law. Strong background in corporate restructuring, dispute resolution, litigation, and stakeholder engagement across complex, multifunctional organisations. Proven ability to deliver strategic ER solutions aligned to business objectives, while effectively managing risk, compliance, and workforce transformation.
Experience
Massmart (Pty) Ltd
Senior Manager II: Group Employee Relations
September 2024 – Present
- Lead and implement Employee Relations strategy aligned to international labour best practice
- Provide ER advisory and stakeholder support across the business
- Drive proactive issue identification through data tracking and analysis
- Lead organisational change initiatives (restructures, divestitures, reorganisation)
- Manage trade union relationships and collective bargaining processes
- Oversee policy development, interpretation, and implementation
- Ensure compliance across broader Africa markets
- Represent organisation in labour dispute forums
- Deliver ER capability training across the business
- Support Employment Equity and Skills Development committees
Senior Manager I: Senior Employee Relations Specialist
January 2021 – August 2024
Portfolio: Corporate, Logistics, OneCart, Wumdrop; with support across Builders, Makro, Game,
Jumbo & Cash & Carry
- Transitioned ER delivery from operational to strategic, aligned to executive stakeholders
- Partnered with Executive, VP and SVP-level stakeholders across Centres of Excellence
- Led organisational structural changes supporting strategic objectives
- Provided advisory support and upskilling on ER matters • Developed ER training and capability-building material
Supported digitisation and professionalisation of ER function
Represented organisation at CCMA, Labour Court and tribunals
Managed litigation and external legal providers
- Conducted legal research and labour trends analysis
- Managed stakeholder engagement and union relationships
- Delivered strategic ER projects and initiatives
Mass Discounters (Pty) Ltd t/a Game
Legal Associate: Labour Relations August 2015 – December 2020
Portfolio: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State
- Advised HR and operations on misconduct, incapacity, and grievance matters
- Ensured compliance with ER policies and processes
- Managed disciplinary, grievance and litigation case reporting
- Built ER capability across operational leadership
- Delivered training to store and regional management teams
- Maintained stakeholder relationships with operations, HR and unions
- Represented organisation at CCMA proceedings
- Analysed and reported labour trends and metrics
- Drafted and implemented policies and governance frameworks
- Supported large-scale restructuring (S189A, S197), including communication strategies
NEASA (National Employers Association of South Africa)
Dispute Resolution Specialist
August 2013 – July 2015
Represented members at CCMA and bargaining councils
Chaired disciplinary hearings and incapacity enquiries
Facilitated grievances and retrenchment consultations (S189)
- Conducted negotiations and collective bargaining processes
- Provided telephonic and written legal advisory services
- Managed case administration and reporting
SEESA Labour (Pty) Ltd
Legal Advisor
November 2010 – August 2013
- Provided legal advice, reports and client support
- Managed disciplinary, grievance and retrenchment processes
- Drafted policies, procedures and employment contracts
- Conducted investigations and led disciplinary processes
- Facilitated training for managers on disciplinary procedures
- Liaised with bargaining councils and Department of Labour
Legal Aid South Africa
Candidate Attorney
July 2008 – August 2010
- Conducted legal research and case preparation
- Represented clients in criminal proceedings (bail applications, trials, appeals)
- Consulted with clients across criminal and civil matters
- Liaised with courts, prosecutors and law enforcement
- Provided general legal advisory services across multiple areas
Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (In progress – completion Dec 2026)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of the Western Cape
Matric, Bethelsdorp Senior Secondary School
