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University of Cape Town: Practical Labour Law

Elevate your understanding of South African employment law and promote fair labor practices in the workplace.

Elevate your understanding of South African employment law and promote fair labor practices in the workplace.

...
This course is offered by , an edX partner
8 weeks
7–8 hours per week
Starts Feb 27, 2025
Enroll by Mar 5, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

Get more information

Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

8 weeks
7–8 hours per week
Starts Feb 27, 2025
Enroll by Mar 5, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

About this Course

South African labor law has evolved considerably in recent years, with key acts being amended and employment equity gaining more prominence. It’s imperative that employers, human resource (HR) practitioners, and legal professionals stay abreast of such legislative changes so they can ensure compliance, avoid lawsuits, and resolve disputes.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Practical Labour Law online short course introduces you to the local employment law landscape, its various acts, and the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. Guided by labor relations specialist Pieter Koornhof, you’ll learn how to navigate the complexities of contracting, dismissal and retrenchment, and discover strategies for avoiding workplace discrimination.

Throughout the course, law concepts will be illuminated through the presentation of practical scenarios, which will equip you with skills and knowledge that you can apply immediately in your current context.

As this course covers many facets of South African labor law, it’s suited to HR practitioners looking to expand their knowledge of this subject area to add more value in current and future roles. It’s also ideal for legal professionals who want to learn how to handle labor-related issues, and small business owners who need up-to-date knowledge of employment regulations to ensure compliance and the fair treatment of staff. As students will receive a certificate of completion from UCT, this course is a good option for those looking for official validation of their labor law expertise.

Course curriculum

Skip Course curriculum

Familiarize yourself with the laws governing the employer-employee relationship as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Introduction to labor law

Module 2: The employment contract, basic conditions of employment and termination of employment

Module 3: Workplace discipline and automatically unfair dismissals

Module 4: Dismissal for misconduct and poor performance or incapacity

Module 5: Dismissal for operational requirements, closures, mergers and sale of business

Module 6: Unfair labor practice and employment equity

Module 7: An introduction to collective labor law and industrial action

Module 8: Dispute resolutions and CCMA procedures

About the certificate

Enhance your practical understanding of labour law and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

Some facts about the subject

5,160

The total number of mutual interest disputes dealt with by the CCMA during the 2018/19 financial year.

South African Department of Labour (2019).

5 prominent themes

Increased restrictions on fixed-term engagements and improved rights for working parents are two of five current trends in employment law.

Eversheds Sutherland (2019).

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.