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Article 14/2023

If the employer holds the viewpoint that it would never have employed an employee had it known about certain factors which the employee failed to disclose, what are the potential remedies for such an employer?

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  • If the employer operates in the public sector, then the following potential avenues exist:
    • an application to the labour court to set the employment contract aside
    • an application to the labour court to review the employer’s decision to appoint the employee
    • the institution of misconduct proceedings against the employee
    • but under no circumstances is the employer entitled to institute self-help like, for instance,
      suspension with or without pay

(MEC Eastern Cape and Another v Kirland Investments (Pty) Ltd 2014 (5) BCLR 547 (CC) and Chief Lesapo v North West Agricultural Bank and Another 2001 (1) SA 409 (CC))

  • On the other hand, if the employer operates within the private sector, the following potential
    avenues exist:

    • an application to the labour court in terms of s77(3) of the BCEA
    • the institution of misconduct proceedings
    • but under no circumstances it the employer entitled to self-help as set out above
August 17, 2026

We think that everyone understands that an employer is vicariously liable for the wrong committed (an act or omission) by its employee during the course/scope/sphere of employment/engagement in any activity reasonably incidental to it.

But, what is the extent of an employer’s vicarious liability where the employee commits a wrong on his or her own volition?

August 10, 2026

What is the content of traditional consensus to indicate that an agreement exists between an employer and an employee?

If, on the traditional theory of consensus, a party fails to prove an agreement upon which it relies, with reference to Sonap Petroleum SA (Pty) Ltd v Pappadogianis 1992 (3) SA 234 (A), on what basis can a finding be made that quasi-mutual assent exists, founded on the approach that a party is precluded from denying the existence of an agreement based on their own conduct and the circumstances?

What does the three-fold enquiry entail to determine the presence of quasi-mutual assent?

In determining whether an agreement has been reached in the absence of traditional consensus, but on the basis of quasi-mutual assent, what is the extent of the duty on the party wishing to rely on such an agreement to, on the basis of reasonableness, enquire as to the contradictions that exist in the position of the other party so contained in correspondence?

August 3, 2026

Where do delictual claims fit into dispute resolution options applicable to employment disputes?