The Quick Guide to Rights in the Workplace

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act. helps to regulate the working environment to ensure that it is fair for both employers and employees. The HR department of a company should be aware of the act and have the act available for employees to view.  I have made a quick infographic on a view of the chapters that are discussed in the act. This does not include the full clauses to these headings in the chapters. I have provided links below to access the act and the CCMA.

Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration

Nurturing Basic Human Rights for your Benefit

Written by: Chane da Costa

Our legendary former president Nelson Mandela once said “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their humanity”. These are wise words spoken by a man who is greatly respected and has influenced many worldwide. Many employers forget about basic human rights and focus only on workplace rights, which can be of disadvantage to the company. So how are you able to nurture basic human right in your company?

Right to Equality

The right to equality is an important aspect to retain your employees. Many employees resign because they feel companies do not deal with matters fairly. Although there is the right to equality, we all know some employers will promote an employee because they are male/female or African/Caucasian depending on friendship or for the company’s status. Instead employers should focus on those next in line for the position and who has the top performance. By nurturing employees’ growth accordingly and respecting each employee as an individual, they will feel the company works fairly and will most like stay loyal to the company.

Right to Dignity

Everyone has a right to dignity and this should be respect especially in the workplace. This includes not being subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. In many situations in office environments employees are physically, sexually or verbally abused against their will and feel trapped and unable to leave their job. Employers should respect their employee’s dignity and should deal with matters accordingly for both parties’ interests. If there is an issue, a one on one meeting with HR would be the most appropriate situation to resolve the matter, for either the employer or employee.

Right to Privacy

Privacy is important to many individuals and an invasion of privacy can make many people uncomfortable and potentially lead to them resigning. Unless stated in a contracted or a signed agreement an employer should not search or enter an employee’s property without their consent unless it is for a reasonable cause/stipulated by law/ deemed acceptable in an open and democratic society. This includes interference with employee’s private communications, spying, and secret files on the employees without their consent.  A reported case in America was brought to the public’s attention when an interviewer did not hire candidates who would not give them access to their Facebook accounts.

Freedom of Association

Freedom of association is important for employees, as a lot of employees form or join trade unions, religious and social and cultural bodies. Trade unions are available to help resolve disputes and negotiate employee matters with the employer. Providing employees with the freedom to association with their trade union shows them that you care about them. Allowing employees to be themselves by associating with organisations they feel fit for them, allows them to feel accepted as an individual and comfortable with who they are in the company.

Freedom of Religion

Everyone has the freedom to commit a religion of their choice and this should be tolerated in all organisations. Places with religious observances must be respected and no one shall be barred from entering them on the grounds of race. Employees appreciate workplaces that respect their religion. Practising Muslims pray every Friday and every day during Ramadan. Employees who have employers that respect their religion tend to be happier and productive because they can satisfy their religious needs appropriately.

Freedom of Language

The languages of South Africa are, in alphabetical order Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The employees right to speak their own language in the work place is important.  As in African cultures many African people still think it is pompous if they speak English to each other when they have the same cultural background. However, out of respect for one another,  the most commonly understood language should be spoken so that everyone understands in situations where meetings or discussions in the work place are taking place.

Property Rights

There have been many instances where employers confiscate employees’ phones and personal possessions during work hours to try increase productivity. Although in some cases this might work, it is actually violating a human right to remove them of their personal property. Each person has the right to undisturbed enjoyment of their personal enjoyment unless it conflicts with public interest. Employers can however put clauses in their contract stating that employees may not use their personal property during working hours.

Although there are workers’ rights in place, employers often forget about the basic human rights. These two are very similar and both consider each other, but there are always gaps and advantages both employers and employees take advantage of. It is important to know your rights and what you can do about it. Trade unions often assist employees with workplace issues but another option could be to report the issue to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

Employers need to consider the above aspects carefully in order to protect themselves, and even more so when trying to create a happy and productive environment for employees to work in. Although the primary focus in business is the bottom line, the sole drivers of a company is it staff component. Therefore, it is essential to nurture employee rights for both their benefit and the companies’.

The Curve-ball Questions in Interviews

Written by: Chane da Costa

We all know that feeling of excitement of being short-listed and being called in for an interview. Following from my previous blog you have prepared yourself adequately for the interview and ready to show your potential employers you are the most suitable candidate for the position.

Most candidates only prepare for the most commonly asked questions that have been used for centuries and often get thrown off completely when the interviewers ask them questions they would never expect in an interview. Interviewers do this to not only step away from the common boring questions that have the perfect scripted answer but to understand how you think and how well you can think on your feet. 

The nature of the position may further determine why these unusual questions are asked. There is never a wrong or right answer to these questions; it is just another method to test how well you work under stress and pressure. 

How to handle these curve ball questions in interviews are important to creating a positive impression. If the interviewer does throw the ball in your court with a weird question it is important to stay cool calm and collect, think about the question and answer it in the most tactful way that you can. These questions often represent your character and personality or your analytical and creative skills.

Curve ball questions

1.       If you were an animal what would you be?

2.       Provide me with five uses of a stapler, brick or match stick.

3.       How many times in one day, do the clocks hands overlap each other?

4.       If we shrunk you to the size of a pencil and put you inside of a blender, how would you get out?

5.       If you were on an island and could only take along 3 items, what would they be?

6.       If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?

7.       If you could have any super power, what would you like?

8.       A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?

9.       If you could wave a magic wand, what illness in the world would you solve and why?

10.   You have five bottles of pills. One bottle has 9 gram pills, the others have 10 gram pills. You have a scale that can be used only once. How can you find out which bottle contains the 9 gram pills?

11.   What do wood and alcohol have in common?

12.   What would you do if you woke up and found an elephant in your backyard?

13.   What did you play with as a child?

14.   How would you market a telescope in 1750 when no one knows about orbits, moons etc.

15.   Who has most influenced you in your life?

Psychometric Testing

Several companies are now using psychometric test to determine if the candidate are the right fit for their company or not. Psychometric tests identify the candidate’s aptitude, abilities and personality.

The aim of psychometric tests is to gain an accurate understanding of the candidate's cognitive abilities and personality/behavioural style.

A candidate cannot prepare for a psychometric test as there is no right or wrong answer to the psychometrics, they only determine if your personality is a fit for the position you would like to fill. There are two main types of different psychometric tests, personality test and Aptitude/Ability test.

Personality Test

Personality tests require no preparation and the candidate to be answer the questions as honestly as possible. Within an occupational context it determines the candidate’s normal behavioural tendencies and preferences. These test are often crucial is managerial or sales positions to determine whether the candidate does have leadership or sales qualities.

As there is no wrong or right answer in personality psychometric testing, a company will only use the results to determine if you are a perfect fit for the position. The only time a psychometric test will become a decision making tool is when they cannot decide between two candidates for the same position.

Aptitude/Ability Test

Candidates can prepare for aptitude test as these determine the candidates numerical and spatial reasoning. Depending on the aptitude test there are right answers. These tests provide key insights into communication, decision making, and calculated cause and effect scenarios that candidates make in work place. It also determines whether or not the candidate has the skills to fulfil the available position at hand and areas on which the candidate should improve on.

There are four types of Aptitude tests that assist employers in assessing a candidates reasoning and cognitive abilities:

-          Verbal Test

-          Numerical Test

-          Spatial Test

-          Job Specific Test

Below are links to several site that provide mock psychometric testing that candidates can practise on if they know they are required to complete a psychometric test.

http://www.testpartnership.com/psychometric-test.html

http://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/psychometric-tests/

http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/job-interview-tips/psychometric-testing/free-psychometric-test-samples/article.aspx

Interview Preparation That Wins

Written by: Chane da Costa

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail is a quote by Benjamin Franklin that will forever have meaning in life. In school when you are given homework it is preparation for your tests, test are preparation for exam, exams are preparation for the next grade. This is the same with sport or anything else you want to succeed and do well in. So a candidate can view an interview as a test in landing that perfect job.

If you get a job interview this means that all your effort that went into your resume, showed that you are perfect for the position available. This does not mean your effort to get the job should stop there. An interview is the deciding factor on whether or not you are suitable for the position. An interviewer creates the first and lasting impressions of you, they also see if you can communicate well and have the abilities to fulfil the job. It is also a platform for the interview to get to know you as well as a platform for you to get to know the business.

So in preparing for the Interview you are preparing to win over the position. Below are key points when preparing for an interview:

1.       Know the Company – Researching the company to know exactly what they are about and what they do is essential. As a candidate seeking a job, you need to ensure the company and industry that you are going for an interview at, aligns with your passion, morals and values. It also creates a favourable impression on the interviewer when you about the business and what they do.

2.       Research industry trends – Update yourself with the company’s industries trends and current events and happenings. This shows that you are actively involved in the industry and are able to add value to the company.

3.       Analyse the job title – By analysing the job title, duties and what the company seeks in potential candidates, you are able to determine which skills are important for the position. By doing this you can align the skills of the position and your skill set and portray why you are the best candidate for the position.

4.       Practise common interview questions – By practising answers to common interview questions, this helps to rehearse the perfect answer to the simplest questions without the pressure of have to answer right away. You can also Google interview questions to prepare for the unusual questions that may come up. It is also help to role play an interview situation with a family member or friend. Next week’s blog will be all about unique interview questions and psychometric tests.

5.       Dress for Success – if you are serious about getting the job, it is important to look the part.  Ensure you look professional by dressing in corporate attire. This helps the interviewer visualise you in the position available and ensures the image portrayed is one that is professional, neat and tidy. An image every company is looking for.

6.       Recap, finalise and get ready– Revise your resume and touch up on your skills that you have acquired during your professional career. Do a recap of your understanding on the company and have your interview clothes ready for the next day. Make copies of your resume, qualifications and ID, to take along to the interview and ensure you have a good night’s rest to be on you’re A-game.

7.       Always be on time – It is important to always be at least 10 minutes early for an interview. Rather be too early than late, this shows that you are serious about the position, so make sure you know where you are going and  leave enough time incase you get lost or an unforeseen happening occurs

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Preparing for Telephonic and Skype Interviews

Telephonic and Skype interview are often arranged for positions that are across provinces/State and in other countries. The preparations for these types of interviews are similar to that of interviews done in person. The preparation above should still be followed as the interview structure is standard.

The following Preparation tips will further help you prepare for telephonic and Skype interviews:

1.       Always sound enthusiastic and positive over the phone, your tone of voice will now be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.

2.       Ensure you have a quiet and neutral location to do your interview in. If you do a Skype interview rather be seated in the living room than in your bedroom.

3.       Skype interviews are conducted the same as interviews done in person, so make sure you keep your look professional in corporate attire.

4.       Doing a Skype interview creates difficulty when trying to keep eye contact with the interview. Try look into the camera and not onto the screen when speaking to the interviewer, and look at the screen when the interviewer talks. Ensure your sound and your internet is working properly so that complications don’t occur.

5.       Ensure that your cell phone battery or Laptop Battery is fully charged.

It is important to always let your interviewer end the call or Skype session, never drop the call or Skype session first.