Since 1994, South Africa has undergone socio-economic, political and demographic transformation. The Employment Equity Act (No 55) of 1998 aims to facilitate workplace transformation through the elimination of unfair discrimination and the implementation of affirmative action measures to enable equitable representation of employees in all occupational categories and levels in the workplace. This legislation was amended on 1 August 2014, and South Africa has watched with keen interest to see what the impact of the amendments to the Employment Equity Act would be on the world of work. For many it was to see whether job seekers and individuals from the designated groups experienced equity in access to the workplace and fair treatment in employment. For others, it was to see to what extent businesses would either benefit from its accountability and fairness to all employees or suffer from increased regulatory compliance to employment equity and affirmative action amendments. At the heart of the amendments was a need to make the South African Constitution real for South Africans in facilitating work inclusive environments in which people are enabled and motivated to contribute to the goals of the organisation. The state must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights, one of these rights being equality. Affirmative action as a component of employment equity is inherently part of the process of increasing and managing diversity and identifying barriers to fair employment. Transformation does make business sense. No business will survive in the long-run, unless it reinvents itself and constantly adapts to the ever-changing demands of an increasingly competitive global environment in which it operates. An organisation’s ability to create a work culture in which diversity management is effectively managed is more likely to experience the positive effects thereof on its business. Organisations require a diverse workforce with the requisite multidisciplinary talents and knowledge to achieve its goals in an ever-changing environment. The evaluation of the extent of the progress and the narrative is to be drawn from the reported workplace demographics. This is made up of statistical analyses of the representation of individuals from designated groups at different occupational levels, as well as training and progression of designated employees by reporting employers. The ultimate test of transformation however, is in the extent to which employees would vouch for the inclusivity of the workplace environment and the total absence of unfair discrimination based on listed and arbitrary grounds. For the Commission to be able to comment on the experience of diversity management and inclusion as part of employment equity, a different approach needs to be taken. I am excited to share that the Commission’s strategic plan for the period 2016 to 2021 has prioritised the need to go beyond workforce demographic statistics and move towards a better understanding of the experience of fair treatment, diversity and “inclusion” Management. There is a significant shift in the way in which the Commission is approaching its work, in the interest of the country. It is not the aim of the Commission for Employment Equity to focus its attention on the punitive measures for non-compliance only, and accordingly the third Commission hosted the Employment Equity Awards, which recognise the good work done by organisations towards furthering the transformation agenda. The third Commission moreover developed a number of Codes of Good Practice to support the implementation of employment equity. A lot of ground was covered to enable the fourth Commission to focus on their mandate more effectively. We are grateful for their hard work and we wish them well as we look forward to realising our objectives. On a different note, the United Nations offices in New York were a hub of activity and rigorous debate during the March 2016 Summit on the Status of Women. One of the themes extensively interrogated at the summit was “Women Empowerment in the economic space”. Globally, not enough is happening to turn the economic status of women. The United Nations Sustainable Goal 5 is “Gender Equality”. A 50-50 target has been set for female representivity at all occupational levels globally. South Africa needs to work towards this goal as part of their contribution. The Summit echoed the words “Women leaders in the business world is everyone’s business”. It would do us proud in the future to be able to report significant progress in this area. Another topical issue was “Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value”. Three countries, namely Canada, Sweden and Iceland have committed themselves to pay parity across gender by 2022. South Africa on the other hand has already enacted this policy. We need to see significant change in this area. In line with the discussions during the summit, I would also like to encourage designated employers in South Africa to review policies in favour of transparency around remuneration. This will go a long way in creating an enabling environment for elimination of unfair discrimination in the workplace.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The purpose of this study was to investigate challenges in the implementation of Employment Equity Act in the University of Limpopo. The design of the research in this study is both qualitative and quantitative. Data were collected from HODs and Human Resources Officers. Structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data form the participants. Data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results revealed that there are more males in Senior Management levels than females in the University. Data further showed that the majority of Senior Management fall under age category 50-64 years old. The results show that most of the respondents hold highest qualifications which is masters and doctoral degree. It was found that most of the respondents are from Sepedi and Tshivenda speaking communities. The finding revealed that the University of Limpopo has been implementing the Employment Equity Act. However, the implementation of the EEA encountered certain challenges including among other resistant to change, poor networking, lack of employment equity awareness, undermining of the HR Officers by Selection Committee members and lack of qualified people with disabilities in certain positions. Another finding shows that the University has Employment Equity Plan with numerical target to be achieved. It found that the successful implementation of EEA will address the problem of unfair discrimination that people suffered as a result of race, gender, disability and sexual orientation. The findings further show that the University is strictly adhering to the stipulations of the EEA. It was found that employees in the University are not well informed of the Employment Equity Policies. Another finding shows that the University Employment Equity has been a very useful tool to promote equality in the University. The study recommends that the University should not deviate from the EEA especially when filling positions reserved for designated groups. It is recommended that HODs should familiarize themselves with the Act. It is recommended that the University use provincial demographics to set the EE targets. University must have EE Plan targets on the agenda at all meetings of the University’s Executive Committees. It is recommended that further discussion and monitoring need to be conducted at Executive Management level.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the concurrent validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures for the prediction of haul truck operator (N=128) performance in an open-pit mine. Specific aims were to determine the nature of the relationship between learning potential and psychomotor ability; whether there are higher order cognitive or psychomotor factors present in the combined use of the TRAM 1 and Vienna Test System measures; and the relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of haul truck operator performance. The validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures was partially supported. A positive correlation between general (cognitive) ability (g) and psychomotor ability was reported. Factor analysis provided relatively consistent evidence for a general (cognitive) ability factor (g) underlying performance on all measures. The relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of performance could not be established. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The Employment Equity Act, No 55 of 1998 forms part of the transformation legislation aimed at promoting equity and eliminating discriminatory and unfair treatment in the workplace. This Act was promulgated more than ten years ago, and its positive impact has to be measured in terms of its contribution to the conduciveness of the work environment. The aim of this study is to enhance measures for effective implementation of an Employment Equity Programme (EEP) in the Public Service, with specific reference to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The ultimate aim is to identify Employment Equity (EE) measures that will benefit management and employees in enhancing individual performance and productivity. The study focuses on perceptions of employees on how they perceive EEP. As the study progressed it became equally important to determine the alignment and contribution of EEP on Departmental strategic objectives. The results and recommendations will be shared with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development with a view to ensuring that its EEP is aligned to its strategic objectives, and adds value to service delivery. / Public Administration & Management / M.P.A.

M. Tech. Strategic Communication / The aim of this research is to analyse the perceived effectiveness of communication with visually impaired employees in the South African workplace. Moores (2002) model of social information needs of communication was used as a framewrok for the research.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 1994 South Africa has undergone numerous social and political transformations. Transformation in this country has different meanings for different people, depending on the individuals perspective. The process of transformation has been slow for some, particularly those people who are eager to break away from a past, which has denied them basic individual rights. For others transformation has been too fast and thus a threat to their status quo. In view of this, transformation must be embraced by all through the realisation and admission that the apartheid era was inherently unfair to sections of the population and change must therefore be regarded as the levelling of the playing field. This study focuses on the generation of inequality, the uprooting of this evil and the implementation of equity. In addition, this study particularly focuses on how equity can be implemented in the workplace, why it is important to do so and what are the possible barriers to successful implementation. I will consider some of the theories that may be useful in initiating change. Finally, I will discuss the merits of the Employment Equity Act as legislation to enforce equity in the workplace. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vanaf 1994, het Suid Afrika verskillende sosiale en politieke veranderings ondergaan. Hierdie veraderings het verskillende betekenis vir verskillende mense, afhangend van die individuele se insig. Die proses van veranderings was te stadig vir sommige persone, veral diegene wie angstig was om weg te breek van die verlede, wat hulle ontneem het van hulle basiese individuele regte. Vir andere was die veraderings veels te vinning en was meer 'n bedreiging vir hulle onveranderlike hoë belangrike posisies. Met hierdie faktor insig, moet veranderings omhels word deur almal se opregte beseffing en erkenning dat die apartheid jare se alleen regte vir die een groep baie onregverdig was teenoor die ander groepe, dus moet veranderings aanvaar word as gelykmaking van alle onreelmatinghede. Hierdie studie is die fokus gerig op die jare van vasgevangheid in onregverdigheid en dat hierdie ongeregtigheid kan ontwortel word met die aanbeveling of vervangs van geregtigheid. Die fokus lê veral klem op hoe om gelyke regte by die werksplekke toe te pas.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Until very recent people with disabilities in South Africa were an overlooked and under-utilised pool of labour. Disabled people have been denied the chance to participate in employment opportunities by becoming economically active and hence contributing towards the economy of the country. This is because employers were seldom or never exposed to the employment of disabled people in the open labour market. The result is that employers are uninformed about the benefits of recruiting disabled candidates. Since the establishment of a new democratic order in South Africa in 1994, new legislation that protects the rights of disabled people was implemented. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (No 108 of 1996), the Labour Relations Act (No 66 of 1995) and the Employment Equity Act (No 55 of 1998) for the first time proclaimed that it is unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities. The Employment Equity Act (No 55 of 1998) encourages employers to employ persons from designated groups. These designated groups are black people, women and people with disabilities. To enable employers to successfully recruit disabled people in the open labour market, existing recruitment and selection procedures should be reviewed to remove any discriminatory elements. It is during the recruitment and selection process that the disabled applicant are either denied access to employment or not given a fair chance to compete for a position. Currently the Employment Equity Act (No 55 of 1998) only mentions the terms "people with disabilities" and "reasonable accommodation". This Act does not provide guidelines for employers on how to go about recruiting and employing disabled candidates. Therefore the aim of the study is to present practical guidelines regarding the employment of people with disabilities. These guidelines describe in a non-discriminatory manner the recruitment and selection process, such as reviewing job descriptions, the advertisement of positions, interpreting the disabled candidates' curriculum vitae and interviewing the disabled applicant. The idea of reasonable accommodation within the workplace highlights the use and benefits of assistive devices for disabled persons so that the essential functions of a job can be performed. Exploratory-descriptive research was done with the assistance of questionnaires as an instrument for data collection. To meet the aims of this study, an availability sample of 20 businesses (small, medium and large businesses) which also included government departments in the Cape Metropolitan area was selected. The opinions and attitudes of human resources staff and business owners concerning the recruitment of physically disabled people, persons with hearing impairments, persons with visual impairments and persons suffering from epilepsy, were determined. The research findings reflected and discussed in this study indicate that employers do not have recruitment and selection guidelines available to recruit persons with different disabilities successfully. Conclusions and recommendations are made regarding the knowledge and opinions of employers recruiting people with disabilities. The use of recruitment and selection guidelines will benefit both the employer and the disabled candidate. Such guidelines will enable employers to recruit disabled persons in a fair and consistent manner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tot onlangs was persone met gestremdhede in Suid Afrika onderbenut in die arbeidsmag. Gestremde persone is verhoed om deel te neem aan werksgeleenthede en kon dus nie aktiewe bydraes lewer tot die ekonomie van die land nie. Die rede hiervoor is omdat werkgewers selde of nooit blootgestel is aan die indiensneming van gestremde persone in die ope arbeidsmark nie. Die gevolg is dat werkgewers onkundig en oningelig is oor die voordele wat die indiensneming van persone met gestremdhede bied. Sedert die ontstaan van 'n nuwe demokratiese bedeling in 1994, is nuwe wetgewing daargestel wat die regte van persone met gestremdhede beskerm. Die Konstitusie van die Republiek van Suid Afrika (Nr 108 van 1996), die nuwe Arbeidswet (Nr 66 van 1995) en die Gelyke Indiensnemingwet (Nr 55 van 1998) het vir die eerste keer verklaar dat dit onwettig is om te diskrimineer teen gestremde persone. Die Gelyke Indiensnemingswet (Nr 55 van 1995) moedig werkgewers aan om persone van agtergeblewe groepe in diens te neem. Hierdie agtergeblewe groepe sluit in swart persone, vroue en persone met gestremdhede. Om werkgewers in staat te stel om persone met gestremdhede suksesvol te werf, behoort huidige werwings- en keuringsprosedures hersien te word ten einde diskriminerende faktore te elirnineer. Dit is tydens die keuringsproses dat persone met gestremdhede of verhoed word, of die regverdige kans gegun word om te kompeteer vir 'n betrekking. Die Gelyke Indiensnemingswet (Nr 55 van 1998) noem slegs die terme "persone met gestremdhede" en "redelike voorsorg". Hierdie wet verskaf nie riglyne aan werkgewers oor hoe om werwing en keuring van persone met gestremdhede te behartig nie. Die doelwit van die studie is dus om praktiese riglyne aangaande aanstelling van persone met gestremdhede daar te stel. Hierdie riglyne beskryf die wyse van werwing en keuring op 'n niediskriminerende wyse, soos die hersiening van posbeskrywings, advertensies van betrekkings, die interpretering van gestremde persone se curriculum vitae en die voer van onderhoude met gestremde applikante. Redelike voorsorg beklemtoon die gebruik en voordele van hulpmiddels vir persone met gestremdhede sodat die essensiele werksfunksies verrig kan word. Verkennende beskrywende navorsing is gedoen met behulp van vraelyste om inligting te bekom. Vir die doelwitte van hierdie studie is 'n beskikbaarheidsmonster van 20 besighede (klein, medium en groot besighede), wat regeringsdepartemente ingesluit het in die Kaapse Metropolitaanse gebied gekies. Die menings en opinies van menslike hulpbronne personeel, en besigheidseienaars rakende die werwing van persone met fisiese gestremdhede, persone met gehoorgestremdhede, persone met gesigsgestremdhede asook persone wat aan epilepsie Iy, is vasgestel. Die navorsingresultate van hierdie studie dui aan dat werkgewers tans nie werwings- en keuringsriglyne benut wanneer persone met gestremdhede in diens geneem word nie. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings oor die menings van werkgewers rakende die werwing van gestremde persone, is gemaak. Die gebruik van werwings en keuringsriglyne behoort beide die werkgewer en die gestremde kandidaat te bevoordeel. Hierdie riglyne sal werkgewers in staat stel om persone met gestremdhede op 'n regverdige en eenvormige wyse aan te stel.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the concurrent validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures for the prediction of haul truck operator (N=128) performance in an open-pit mine. Specific aims were to determine the nature of the relationship between learning potential and psychomotor ability; whether there are higher order cognitive or psychomotor factors present in the combined use of the TRAM 1 and Vienna Test System measures; and the relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of haul truck operator performance. The validity of learning potential and psychomotor ability measures was partially supported. A positive correlation between general (cognitive) ability (g) and psychomotor ability was reported. Factor analysis provided relatively consistent evidence for a general (cognitive) ability factor (g) underlying performance on all measures. The relative contribution of learning potential and psychomotor ability in the prediction of performance could not be established. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The Employment Equity Act, No 55 of 1998 forms part of the transformation legislation aimed at promoting equity and eliminating discriminatory and unfair treatment in the workplace. This Act was promulgated more than ten years ago, and its positive impact has to be measured in terms of its contribution to the conduciveness of the work environment. The aim of this study is to enhance measures for effective implementation of an Employment Equity Programme (EEP) in the Public Service, with specific reference to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The ultimate aim is to identify Employment Equity (EE) measures that will benefit management and employees in enhancing individual performance and productivity. The study focuses on perceptions of employees on how they perceive EEP. As the study progressed it became equally important to determine the alignment and contribution of EEP on Departmental strategic objectives. The results and recommendations will be shared with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development with a view to ensuring that its EEP is aligned to its strategic objectives, and adds value to service delivery. / Public Administration and Management / M.P.A.