Labour Law Specialist

If you need any advice on a variety of employment issues including unfair dismissal, settlement agreements, contract reviews and workplace harassment rest assured Margaret is your go to person!

During 2001, Margaret chose to focus on alternative dispute resolution, specifically arbitration, in which she built a successful career as an accredited arbitrator and mediator.  She appears in the Labour Court, CCMA and Bargaining Councils on various occasions on behalf of clients.

Margaret had been a part-time panellist with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for the last 17 years. Furthermore an accredited Private Mediator and Arbitrator on the Tokiso Dispute Resolution Agency.

She is also a co-writer to training manuals for employers in the Banking Industry. Margaret conducted training at these institutions in respect of internal relations; practice and procedure and chairing disciplinary hearings and Arbitrations. Margaret currently serves as a Panellist on the Standard Bank South Africa Disciplinary Panel.

Speciality focus:

• Conducting and Chairing of Arbitration, Conciliation, Mediation, training, conflict management, appearances in Labour Court; drafting of legal opinions, drafting of court pleadings, arguments on behalf of clients in Labour Court;  wage negotiations with Union.
• Drafting and assessing clients’ disciplinary codes and procedures and disciplinary processes; KPA, poor work performances and adherence to LRA, BCEA, applicable collective agreements.
• Advising clients on possible risks associated with new legislation and/or ways to combat risk and exposure. Advising various companies on Employment Equity and BBBEE requirements and applications. Ensure compliance for BEE guidelines.

• Drafting of policies on skills development, conducting disciplinary hearings and successful representation of an Arbitration at CCMA (Public Courses).

• Chairing Arbitration Hearings in respect of Unfair Dismissal disputes, Unfair Labour Practices, Retrenchment disputes, Employment Equity (Unfair discrimination) and sexual harassment disputes.