Labour
CCMA and unfair dismissal: what happens next?
An overview of the early steps in an unfair-dismissal dispute in South Africa.
Conciliation
The CCMA states that an employee disputing the fairness of a dismissal generally refers the dispute in writing within 30 days of dismissal, subject to the Labour Relations Act and the circumstances.
Con-arb and arbitration
Some dismissal disputes may be scheduled for con-arb, combining conciliation and arbitration. Other disputes follow different routes and deadlines.
Prepare your documents
Employment contract and policies; dismissal or disciplinary correspondence; payslips and records; internal appeal documents; and a chronology of important events.
Important: This is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and deadlines can change, and the facts of an individual matter must be considered.