You’d be forgiven if a scene from Law & Order flashed through your mind if you are asked to take a lie detector test in the workplace. All of a sudden, you are picturing yourself in a depressing, tiny room, hooked up to a machine that’s being monitored by an austere man who keeps looking up from his spectacles, which are perched on the tip of his nose. You are being interrogated like someone suspected of committing a serious crime. Ok, well that’s a little dramatic, but an employer asking an employee to

When it comes to suspension from work, employees need to know their rights, so that they can determine whether or not a suspension is unjust, and thus constitute an unfair labour practice. Business owners are not only tasked with making their companies a success, but also managing employees and ensuring that everyone’s conduct is in line with the brand values and principles. And when it comes to “disciplining” employees, so to speak, certain procedures must be followed to ensure it’s fair and legal. At some

Being sued, facing legal action, standing up in court, fighting the unforgiving legal system, worrying about how to pay for legal assistance – these are the things that keep many South Africans up at night. Unfortunately, not many citizens know about legal cover, what it is, that they need it or how it can protect and benefit them. The law is expensive, and far too often people give up on finding the legal support, resulting in unwanted consequences, such as lost claims, broken agreements, and even jail time.

Social media is an inescapable part of our personal and professional lives, with many people using various platforms to communicate and share information. But, as we have seen more and more over the last few years, employees need to be careful about what they post on social media, as offensive, inflammatory or discriminatory comments could potentially reflect badly on the company they work for (employers themselves could be held liable), breach employment social media policies and, in turn, get them fired. Of course, in general, it’s always advisable to

South Africa has one of the world’s poorest road safety records, in fact, the country’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world. The statistics are nothing short of alarming. Roughly 1 million road accidents are reported every year. This is according to a report by the World Health Organisation, which estimates a fatality rate of 31.9 deaths per 100 000 people, while the global average is only 18 deaths per 100 000 people. What is the Road Accident Fund (RAF)?

Life’s journey certainly gets a little more exciting for graduates: after entering the job market, landing a dream job and earning a salary, your focus starts shifting some first significant purchases, like a car or a home. But, even with a substantial income, paying for those items in cash isn’t always a feasible option, and you might look to taking out a loan to help you out. However, life can take unexpected twists and turns, and it might get to a point where the repayments get overwhelming to the point where they are unaffordable, and you get blacklisted by a creditor. Fortunately,

In 2018, Johanna Mamaila’s story made headlines across South Africa: the 50-year-old, who was living in an informal settlement in Mamelodi, was excited to move into her new RDP house. However, her dream soon turned into a nightmare when she discovered the house had also been bought by two other people. It soon came to light that Mamaila was scammed by a fraudulent property company, and it cost her R185 000. Sadly, RDP housing scams are a growing trend in South Africa, and Mamaila is

In late 2018, people across the country celebrated the decriminalisation of marijuana use in South Africa. The Constitutional Court ruled that laws prohibiting South Africans from cultivating and smoking dagga in private were unconstitutional. Lawmakers now have to create new laws and regulations that give clarity on exactly what “private use” means and the amount of dagga that smokers are allowed to grow and have in their possession. While this is good news for many, those who had previously been found

For many people in South Africa, adopting a baby is the only viable way for them to expand their families. Whether it’s due to fertility issues or simply a moral decision, adopting a child in need can radically change people’s lives and make a dream come true for many. Not to mention, for the children themselves, considering the rising epidemic of child abandonment in South Africa, it gives them a chance at living a full and prosperous life. As the Centre of Child Law