Rushin Muller

As an accomplished Human Resources Manager, I possess a profound passion for people and an exceptional knack for solving complex problems. My expertise extends to outstanding litigation and negotiation capabilities, setting me apart as a consummate professional in the field. I am the quintessential candidate for any Human Resources role, offering a comprehensive skill set that ranges from generalist duties to specialized expertise in litigation.

My dedication and proficiency ensure that I am equipped to meet and exceed the demands of the modern HR landscape.

Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) - Pick n Pay Retailers - Durban

(2024-11)

• Partner with Regional Manager to align HR strategy with business goals.
• Provide input on workforce planning, store performance, and people risks.
• Analyse HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, productivity) and recommend interventions.
• Support change management initiatives (restructures, new store openings, closures).
• Manage end-to-end recruitment for store-level roles: Job profiling and requisitions, Screening, interviewing, and selection.
• Ensure employment equity targets are considered.
• Coordinate onboarding process: Employment contracts, Induction programmes, System access and compliance documentation.
• Ensure new hires are integrated effectively into stores.
• Maintain accurate employee records (digital and physical files).
• Ensure compliance with record-keeping requirements.
• Manage: Contracts, job changes, promotions, transfers, Leave records and employee data updates, Support payroll inputs (new hires, terminations, changes).
• Ensure POPIA compliance in handling employee information.
• Advise managers on disciplinary procedures and best practices.
• Handle misconduct, poor performance, and grievance processes.
• Draft notices, warnings, and outcome documentation.
• Chair or support disciplinary hearings when required.
• Represent the company at external dispute resolution forums such as the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration).
• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA).
• Drive implementation of performance management systems.
• Coach Store Managers on: Setting KPIs, Conducting performance reviews, Managing underperformance.
• Monitor performance trends across stores.
• Identify skills gaps within stores and region.
• Coordinate training interventions (customer service, leadership, compliance).
• Support succession planning and talent development.
• Facilitate leadership development for Store Managers and Supervisors.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives across stores.
• Support communication between management and staff.
• Address employee concerns and morale issues proactively.
• Promote company values and culture.
• Ensure consistent application of policies across all stores.
• Mitigate risks related to: Unfair dismissals, Non-compliance with labour laws.
• Conduct investigations into misconduct or disputes.
• Maintain strong union/staff representative relationships where applicable.
• Manage all forms of termination: Resignations, Dismissals, Retrenchments.
• Conduct exit interviews and analyse trends.
• Ensure proper documentation and legal compliance.
• Coordinate final payroll and benefits processing.
• Ensure adherence to company HR policies and procedures.
• Update and communicate HR policies to stores.
• Conduct HR audits across stores (files, contracts, compliance).
• Ensure health & safety compliance in collaboration with operations.

Senior Human Resources Manager - Ten Logistics & Civils - Durban

(2023-07 - 2024-10)

• Spearheaded comprehensive onboarding and recruitment processes, including job ad postings, candidate interviews, vetting, and seamless integration into the company.
• Maintained a dynamic candidate pool aligned with strategic organizational needs and crafted tailored employment offers.
• Ensured strict adherence to compliance standards for all employees, including medical clearances and job-specific training, in line with OHSA and BCEA regulations.
• Developed and revised employee contracts for project-specific requirements and formulated company policies, enhancing management and staff competencies.
• Conducted regular site inspections to enforce policy compliance and led the Employment Equity Committee, driving EE planning and implementation.
• Managed BCCEI compliance through meticulous audit participation and addressed employee relations, including complaints, grievances, and counseling.
• Supervised accurate timesheet management, collaborated with finance for payroll processing, and resolved pay discrepancies, ensuring fair compensation practices.
• Administered disciplinary procedures, from issuing warnings to chairing hearings, and represented the company in conciliations and arbitrations at bargaining councils and the CCMA.
• Trained management and supervisors in effective employee counseling techniques and disciplinary action protocols.
• Promoted employee well-being and team cohesion by organizing wellness initiatives and team-building events.
• Reviewed and advised on contractual agreements, leveraging knowledge of FEDIC and other legal frameworks to guide executive decision-making.
• Drafted contract amendments and communicated with legal counterparts, ensuring the company's best interests were safeguarded.
• Prepared HR departmental budgets, provided insights on succession planning, and recommended strategic new appointments.
• Managed full recruitment cycle, from job ads to onboarding, ensuring a ready pool of candidates.

Group HR/IR Manager - G&T Projects - Durban

(2019-09 - 2023-10)

• Spearheaded HR and IR operations, ensuring efficient daily management.
• Facilitated weekly strategy sessions with site HR representatives.
• Streamlined the onboarding process, including interviews, assessments, and comprehensive inductions.
• Guaranteed compliance with OHSA and BCEA by equipping staff with essential tools and PPE.
• Monitored adherence to site-specific requirements, including medicals and safety training.
• Executed employee contract negotiations and clarified company regulations.
• Managed timekeeping systems, overseeing timesheets and attendance tracking.
• Collaborated with site administration to promote team wellness and enforce company policies.
• Trained management on effective staff counseling and disciplinary procedures for minor infractions.
• Prepared and issued formal warnings and disciplinary notices, chairing hearings.
• Coordinated preparation for conciliations and arbitrations at MEIBC and CCMA, including witness preparation.
• Organized documentation for legal proceedings, ensuring thorough indexing and pagination of arbitration bundles.
• Led the company's employment equity committee, compiling reports for the Department of Labour.
• Represented the company during OHSA and BCEA audits, liaising with the Department of Labour.
• Reviewed and amended company contracts, providing strategic legal advice.
• Engaged with clients and subcontractors, drafting critical memorandums and contract amendments.

Dispute Resolution Specialist - Consolidated Employers Organisation (CEO) - Durban

(2016-09 - 2018-01)

• Expertly managed case intake and weekly scheduling in alignment with SEESA directives.
• Meticulously prepared for conciliations and arbitrations, ensuring thorough case readiness.
• Executed precise indexing and pagination of legal files for CCMA and bargaining council proceedings.
• Conducted in-depth consultations with clients and effectively prepared witnesses for arbitration hearings.
• Crafted strategic points in limine, focusing on jurisdictional challenges.
• Authored comprehensive applications for condonation and robust opposing affidavits representing employers.
• Represented clients in arbitrations across all KZN bargaining councils, demonstrating strong advocacy skills.
• Skillfully performed examination-in-chief and cross-examination, showcasing adept legal acumen.
• Analyzed and communicated arbitration outcomes and rulings with precision.
• Compiled and delivered detailed reports to SEESA, reflecting case progress and outcomes.
• Managed weekly diary & strategic planning.
• Prepared for & conducted arbitrations.
• Consulted clients & prepped witnesses.

Dispute Resolution Specialist - National Employers Association of South Africa - Durban

(2016-02 - 2016-08)

• Expertly assist clients with managing disciplinary issues, including substance abuse, tardiness, and absenteeism.
• Provide strategic advice on optimal workplace action plans.
• Offer comprehensive HR and IR guidance through both telephonic and in-person consultations.
• Counsel employees to promote a supportive work environment.
• Negotiate with shop stewards and trade unions on salary and working condition improvements.
• Secure exemptions for overtime and wages from Bargaining Councils like MEIBC, MIBCO, and Road Freight.
• Coordinate with the Department of Labour during audits to ensure compliance.
• Craft employment contracts aligned with LRA, BCEA, and Sectoral Determinations, ensuring legal integrity.
• Conduct on-site visits across various sectors, including construction, logistics, healthcare, fast food, and security.
• Prepare and administer charge sheets for client-related disciplinary actions.
• Chair disciplinary hearings, meticulously document proceedings, and deliver comprehensive reports and outcomes.
• Formulate warnings and dismissal notices with a keen understanding of legal requirements.
• Manage referral documents and draft objections for con/arb processes with precision.
• Represent clients in conciliations, prepare arbitration bundles, coach witnesses, and lead evidence and cross-examination with expertise.
• Develop persuasive closing arguments for arbitrations, showcasing exceptional advocacy skills.
• Advised on HR/IR issues, counseled staff, handled disciplinary actions.
• Negotiated with unions on wages/conditions, secured overtime exemptions.
• Chaired hearings, drafted legal documents, ensured LRA/BCEA compliance.
• Represented clients in labor disputes, conciliations, and court proceedings.
• Represent clients in Labour Court for review applications, preparing case bundles and delivering compelling arguments.
• Assist with resolving compliance orders and workplace violations in collaboration with the Department of Labour.

Legal Advisor - Labsol Consultants - Durban

(2008-06 - 2015-09)

• Expertly provided HR consultancy, delivering day-to-day legal advice to a diverse client base.
• Skillfully drafted disciplinary charges and guided clients on employee warnings issuance.
• Offered legal counsel on employee matters, including punctuality and absenteeism.
• Maintained cutting-edge knowledge of legal updates, proactively informing clients of legislative changes.
• Conducted thorough reviews of employment contracts and codes of conduct, ensuring compliance with labour laws and council agreements.
• Engaged in negotiations on mutual interest issues, such as employee wages and working conditions.
• Represented clients in discussions with trade unions and shop stewards to resolve disputes and facilitate wage negotiations.
• Prepared meticulous charges for misconduct hearings, advising on the proper service of notices.
• Accurately recorded hearing proceedings, delivering detailed outcomes and reports to clients.
• Represented clients at arbitrations across various bargaining councils, including MIBCO, MEIBC, NBCRFLI, BCCCI, and CCMA.
• Prepared comprehensive document bundles for arbitration proceedings.
• Trained witnesses for effective testimony and cross-examination during arbitrations.
• Provided strategic support to clients during strike actions, including drafting picketing rules.
• Managed retrenchment processes in compliance with Sections 189 and 189A of labour legislation.
• Provided HR consultancy, ensuring legal compliance & employee relations.
• Negotiated with unions, managed disputes & wage talks for client benefit.
• Drafted legal documents & advised on labour laws for client protection.
• Represented clients in arbitrations, prepared evidence & handled strikes.

Advocate - Adv RP Muller - Durban

(2007-01 - 2013-08)

• Expertly handle case briefs from attorneys, providing strategic consultations and court representations.
• Diligently review and prepare legal advice, ensuring robust evidence and opinion delivery to clients and attorneys.
• Conduct thorough research on legislative updates and case law to maintain cutting-edge legal knowledge.
• Engage in detailed consultations with attorneys and clients, offering professional legal advice.
• Skillfully draft legal documents for various courts, including Magistrates, High Court, and Labour Court, as well as Tribunals.
• Confidently represent clients in criminal and civil trials, adeptly arguing applications in Magistrates and High Courts.
• Prepare comprehensive legal drafts, including motion applications, affidavits, and bail applications, along with submissions to prosecutors and courts.
• Articulate legal arguments before judges across multiple court levels, including high-stakes trials and applications.
• Serve as a fair and authoritative chair for disciplinary hearings in labour disputes.
• Compile detailed outcomes and reports, delivering clear and actionable insights to clients.
• Efficiently prepare and issue precise invoices for legal services rendered.
• Consulted with clients, prepared for court.
• Researched laws, provided legal opinions.
• Drafted legal documents for various courts.
• Represented clients in court, won cases.

Candidate Attorney - Laing Frank & Macdonald - Durban

(2002-01 - 2006-12)

• Delivered expert client consultations and executed instructions with precision.
• Maintained proactive communication, providing regular case status updates to clients.
• Demonstrated proficiency in drafting legal notices and pleadings for diverse court proceedings.
• Skilled in preparing witnesses for trials and handling interlocutory applications effectively.
• Managed trials and applications proficiently across Magistrates', High, and Labour Courts.
• Accompanied principals to court to enhance legal acumen and practical experience.
• Expert in client consults.
• Proactive case communication.
• Draft legal docs & pleadings.
• Manage & prep for court trials.

Bachelor of Social Science - Industrial Sociology - University of Cape Town (1997-01 - 1999-12)

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - General Legal Principles - University of Natal (1998-01 - 2002-12)