Job Description

Purpose of the Job

The Industrial Relations (IR) Officer is responsible for upholding workplace discipline and ensuring compliance with labour policies and procedures. The role involves managing absconding cases, verifying sick notes, drafting warnings, and coordinating disciplinary hearings with accuracy and fairness. It also includes conducting counselling sessions, supporting conciliation and arbitration processes at statutory councils, and maintaining meticulous documentation for all IR matters.

Key Responsibilities

Absconding process:

Track and follow up on absconding employees. Maintain and update the abscondment report regularly. Send telegrams to absconding employees. Issue warnings to employees returning with valid reasons; conduct disciplinary hearings for those without valid reasons or who do not return. Send dismissal letter to payroll and HR. Monitor and manage telegram invoices, ensuring accuracy before submission to the HR Officer for monthly processing.

Sick notes verification/Investigation:

Investigate questionable sick notes flagged by payroll. Confirm the doctor's practice and medical practitioner number on the HPCSA website. Verify the doctor's address or location. Contact the doctor to confirm the employee's consultation. Provide feedback to payroll and escalate the investigation if necessary. Investigate and address sick leave abuse cases, including conducting counselling sessions with employees where required.

Drafting warnings:

Review the employee's disciplinary record before drafting a warning. Investigate the circumstances of the alleged misconduct. Request and review the employee's statement regarding the alleged misconduct. Determine the appropriate charge based on the employee handbook. Draft and issue warning to the employee's Manager. Receive signed copies warnings.

Disciplinary Hearings:

Receive and review reports seeking disciplinary action. Investigate the alleged misconduct and request the employee's statement. Determine charges based on the employee handbook and disciplinary record. Draft and issue the charge sheet for the employee's signature. Find a chairperson, represent IR, and record the hearing. Ensure all documents are signed and sent to the appropriate parties. Set the outcome date and send signed AOD and dismissal letters to payroll.

IR Consultations:

Commence with counselling sessions regarding sick leave/absence/poor timekeeping under the guidance of Senior IR staff. Compile packs after counselling and ensure proper handover and filling.

CCMA and NBCRFLI:

Assist IR management with compiling of council packs for conciliation and arbitration purposes.

General:

Any other task as maybe reasonably requested.

Minimum Requirements

LLB / Industrial Relations degree Own Reliable Transport Minimum 3+ years' experience in a large corporate environment (staff complement of 4000+), with proven experience in sectors such as logistics, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, or FMCG.

Skills Requirements

Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) - clear, professional, and adaptable to different audiences. Strong interpersonal skills - ability to build trust, manage conflict, and maintain professional relationships. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for documentation, reporting, and communication. Analytical and investigative skills - ability to verify information, assess evidence, and identify inconsistencies. Organisational and time management skills - managing multiple cases, hearings, and reports simultaneously. Conflict resolution skills - supporting consultations and disciplinary hearings effectively. Adaptability and resilience - managing challenging employee relations cases under pressure.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person