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Article 38/2023

How is compensation to be calculated when a dismissal is only procedurally unfair – i e when section 193(2)(d) of the LRA is applicable?

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In Zeda Car Leasing (Pty) Ltd t/a Avis Fleet v Van Dyk (2020) 31 SALLR 51 (LAC), the labour appeal court adopted the following approach:

  • the compensation must be just and equitable in all circumstances (see s194(1) of the LRA
  • with reference to Johnson & Johnson v CWIU (1999) 20 ILJ 89 (LAC), the following factors are
    relevant:

    • actual loss or patrimonial loss is irrelevant
    • the award is indeed a solatium (as a redress)
    • amongst other things, the following are relevant: the extent of deviation from the required procedure, the employee’s conduct, the employee’s length of service and the anxiety and hurt suffered by the employee

(see, further, Alpha Plant v Simmonds [2001] 3 BLLR 361 (LAC), ARB Electrical Wholesalers v Hibbert (2015) 36 ILJ 2989 (LAC) and Lorentzen v Senachem (Pty) Ltd [1998] 8 BLLR 814 (LC)

It appears that an appeal court will only interfere if the irregularity or the misdirection entails either the ignoring of relevant facts or, alternatively, whether or not the compensation was based on inadequate facts (see, further, Road Accident Fund v Guedes 2006 (5) SA 583 (SCA).

September 7, 2026

The previous article dealt with the distinction between misconduct constituting desertion and misconduct constituting abscondment – see, further, in this regard, Okhahlamba Local Municipality v Mabuya (2021) 32 SALLR 12 (LC).

In this article, what we attempt to do is provide some clarity as to a very different misconduct, namely, the misconduct of deeming desertion.

August 31, 2026

What is the difference between desertion and abscondment?

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?