by Jenny Reid
The AI Act is a European regulation on artificial intelligence (AI)—the first comprehensive regulation of AI by a significant regulator anywhere. The Act assigns AI applications to three risk categories.
Read moreCV Reference Checks, A Lifeline for Employers
by Jenny Reid
CV Reference Checks are a valuable part of the pre-employment screening process as these days, it is incredibly simple to falsify prior employment, references, and education. A CV reference check verifies all the information provided by a candidate in their CV and either confirms the information is factual or proves that the information is false or exaggerated.
Read moreAre Criminal Record Checks Relevant to Your Employee Screening Process?
by Jenny Reid
Criminal record checks are one of the world’s leading forms of pre-employment checks. Should you be able to deny a candidate employment based purely on their criminal record check?
Read moreUnderstanding New Laws and Regulations FICA Act
by Jenny Reid
Often you will hear employers in South Africa complaining bitterly about the complex regulatory landscape that they have to operate in. This now includes the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). While FICA primarily focuses on combating money laundering and financing terrorism, its impact extends beyond financial institutions to encompass various sectors, including many other businesses and employers. Ignoring FICA requirements can have significant consequences and it is now essential for employers to understand and comply with FICA regulations.
Read moreDo You Need to Add PEP and Sanctions Tests to Your Employee Screening Policy?
by Jenny Reid
In South Africa, PEP (Politically Exposed Person) and sanctions tests are typically used by financial institutions and certain designated non-financial businesses and professions to comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations.
Read moreShould You Take Employment References at Face Value?
by Jenny Reid
With unemployment rates continuing to escalate and the cost-of-living soaring people are increasingly desperate to find work and will stop at nothing to get their job application to the top of the pile.
Read moreA Skills-Focused Workplace Model, The Future of Work
by Jenny Reid
A “job” is defined as “a piece of work, especially a specific task done as part of the routine of one's occupation or for an agreed price”. A “skill” is defined “as the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc.” Work has traditionally been focused on jobs, completing the tasks required to fulfil a certain job description. However, Deloitte, suggests instead of looking at work as a series of jobs, we should be focused more on the set of skills held by employees and how those benefit the company as a whole.
Read moreFestive cheer and temporary staff can be a risk to your business
by Jenny Reid
As we approach December in Southern Africa, we are reminded of the vast difference in how annual holidays are celebrated in the different hemispheres of the world. Here in South Africa, we are preparing for our “long” annual holiday and much celebration over Christmas.
Read moreWould you consider employing someone with a criminal record?
by Jenny Reid
In 2018, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) partnered with the Charles Koch Institute to launch research on individuals with criminal records in the workforce in the USA. In 2021, they revisited the topic with some interesting findings. Recently the 2021 Getting Talent Back to Work Report was issued by SHRM. Whilst the findings are US based, it is worth unpacking the main elements of the report.
Read moreThe most dangerous phrase in business is: “We have always done it this way!”
by Jenny Reid
In South Africa, unemployment is sitting at a ridiculously high level. Many may argue that the informal sector is not included in the official unemployment figures. Still, in June 2022, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15-24 and 42,1% for those aged 25-34 years, while the current official national rate stands at 34,5%.
Read moreBeware qualification fraud when hiring
by Jenny Reid
Recently there have been interesting news articles relating to qualification fraud and with organisations where you would believe that the verification of qualifications was the norm.
Read moreThe importance of creating an engaging and ethical company culture
As entrepreneurs, what are your thoughts on the company culture you are creating in your own business? Bottom line is that every company should promote an engaging and ethical company culture. This will not only create a happier workforce, but we know that happy employees are productive employees and will therefore give you the competitive edge.
Read moreUnderstanding Performance Appraisals for Small Businesses
I have followed the subject of Performance Appraisals closely for the past few years. Many people feel that the standard appraisal is a thing of the past, but even with the changes in the industry it has been said that employee engagement levels have not improved over the last ten years. So what can be done about this situation, particularly for small businesses.
Read moreUnderstanding the Changing HR Environment for Entrepreneurs
Some industry commentators call the Human Resources function in any business the last bastion of bureaucracy and it is seen in its traditional role – the department that merely hires and fires the staff needed to do the jobs. However, today the HR role should be seen differently.
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