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.
