Employment Essentials for Managers

This is an interactive and highly practical course delivered over 2 days to provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of the key aspects of the employment relationship. The use of practical exercises and case studies will develop managers’ skills and confidence when dealing with a range of employment issues.

Conducting Investigations & Disciplinary Procedures

We cover the legal and practical aspects of investigations and managing discipline and the importance of fairness and consistency in the application of the organisational rules and procedures, including:

• Understanding the importance of the Organisation’s policies and procedures
• The role of the investigator, how to conduct effective workplace investigations and understand sources of evidence
• How to conduct effective investigatory interviews and prepare an investigation report
• The role of the disciplinary chair and the responsibilities towards an employee during a disciplinary process
• Managing formal discipline including: how to draft allegations of misconduct; holding effective disciplinary hearings; and the rights of the accompanying person
• How to make fair and reasonable disciplinary decisions, prepare a rationale document and a well-drafted outcome letter
• The importance of note taking and the retention of records to protect the Organisation
• The law in respect of unfair dismissal and the LRA Code of Practice on Disciplinary (and Grievance) Procedures

Effective Performance Management

The management of performance is an important responsibility for managers and team leaders, however managers need to feel confident to be able to handle potentially challenging/sensitive conversations. We cover:

• Identifying early signs of unsatisfactory performance and engaging early intervention measures
• Handling challenging/sensitive performance conversations – what should be covered and what should be avoided?
• How to provide constructive feedback and set realistic goals, standards and objectives
• Motivating and encouraging employees through effective communication
• Practical guidance on managing on-going performance issues through a formal process up to and including termination.

Managing Absence

We cover both practical and legal issues involved in dealing with absence, with particular emphasis on holding conversations and conducting meetings with absent employees about different medical issues.

Though the use of case studies the session will cover the following areas:

• Proactively managing absence at the early stages to include:
• Gathering relevant information from employees who report absent;
• Conducting effective return to work interviews

Case managing longer term absence to include:

• Preparing for and holding employee attendance review meetings
• Reviewing medical reports with employees
• Understanding the duty to make reasonable adjustments and the role of the manager in implementing adjustments.

Managing Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace

Promoting and maintaining a workplace that is one where all employees are treated with dignity and respect requires that managers are able to identify behavioural concerns and deal with complaints in an appropriate and sensitive manner. We cover:

• The purpose of the Organisation’s Dignity at Work and Equal Opportunities Policies
• The obligations and responsibilities managers have in the promotion of dignity at work
• Identifying bullying and harassing behaviours and understanding the similarities and differences between bullying and harassment
• Handling employee complaints using both an informal and formal procedure