Overview  

This webinar provides a comprehensive and practical overview of fair dismissals and retrenchment processes within the South African labour law framework. It focuses on both substantive and procedural fairness, ensuring that employers and practitioners understand their legal obligations when terminating employment or implementing retrenchments. Emphasis is placed on minimising legal risks, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, and applying best practices when managing workforce reductions. 

Join Chantelle de Sousa on the 18th of June 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am as she unpacks the legal framework governing dismissals and retrenchments, providing a step-by-step guide to handling these processes fairly, lawfully, and effectively while mitigating the risk of disputes. 

Learning objectives  

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the legal framework governing fair dismissals and retrenchments 

• Distinguish between different types of dismissals and their legal implications 

• Apply the correct procedural and substantive fairness requirements 

• Navigate the Section 189 retrenchment process with confidence 

• Maintain proper documentation and records to support decision-making 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Labour Law Framework and Legal Principles 
o Labour Relations Act (LRA) 
o Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) 
o Code of Good Practice: Dismissal 
o Principles of substantive and procedural fairness 

• Dismissals in the Workplace 
o Types of dismissals (misconduct, incapacity, operational requirements) 
o Automatically unfair dismissals 
o Fair disciplinary processes 

• Retrenchment Processes (Operational Requirements) 
o Section 189 and 189A of the Labour Relations Act 
o Consultation process and requirements 
o Selection criteria and alternatives to retrenchment 
o Notice requirements and severance pay 

• Dispute Resolution and Risk Management 
o CCMA and Bargaining Council referrals 
o Labour Court implications 
o Record keeping and documentation best practices 

About the presenter 

Chantelle de Sousa 

Chantelle de Sousa Attorneys is a law firm dedicated to providing cost-effective and efficient all-round labour law services. Chantelle read for the BCom (Law and Economics) and LLB degrees at the North-West University (Potchefstroom) and the LLM (Human Rights, Conflict and Justice) at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Chantelle was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in March 2011 Chantelle has worked in various areas of law including intellectual property and human rights in both Europe and the rest of the SADC region. She eventually settled in the field of labour law and has worked with employers, employees and trade unions in the South African labour space. She has an excellent network in the SADC region made up of lawyers, business and civil society. She is fluent in English, Afrikaans and Portuguese. 

Who should attend?  

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar:  

• Corporate legal professionals 

• Advocates.  

• Attorneys. .  

• Candidate attorneys.  

• Law students.  

• Paralegals.  

Price               

• R 400.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)   

• Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)   

• Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users)  

Steps to register for the event:   

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar.  

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar.  

Click here  to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series).  

Click here  to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options.  

Additional material  

By attending this webinar you will be provided with:  

• A summarised slide presentation.  

• Reference documents and/ or course material where available.  

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.  

About SA Legal Academy  

Welcome to SA Legal Academy (SALA), a provider of courses to help you succeed in your chosen career. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality training and support, to ensure that your skills and knowledge are up to date and ready to face the challenges of the modern workplace. Our courses are designed to ensure that you reach your professional goals and enhance your career prospects. With our experienced training staff and comprehensive resources, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of training from SA Legal Academy.  

SALA is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, with 125% procurement recognition. Training spend on certain solutions can be allocated against the Skills Development element of the B-BBEE Scorecard through accredited and nonaccredited training or claimed through SETA grants. In addition, 25% of your Skills Expenditure can be claimed on non-accredited training or courses.  

Corporate Training Solutions  

At SALA, we recognise the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in legal and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.  

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.  

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call 012 941 0448. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.  

Contact Us For More Information  

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!   

• Online chat through our website.   

• Phone: +27 (0) 12 941 0448   

• E-mail: [email protected]