Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, a public-private partnership that has placed 10,000 young people in sustainable employment, provides an SME-focused offering to its employer base because we recognise the potential that these businesses have to provide opportunities to young people who are hungry for work. Harambee has also learnt how the needs of small businesses sometimes differ from large corporates.

There are many different types of work permits in South Africa and it can be daunting for an employer to feel safe in hiring a foreign employee. The Department of Home Affairs even has a task team that prosecutes those companies improperly employing foreign staff. The type of visa issued depends on the situation of the applicant or employer. The South African government has created a variety of work visas to accommodate South African businesses looking to hire foreign workers.

Unless you are really employing someone for a limited period only don't think you can get around our tough labour laws with fixed-term contracts. So, this begs the question: What are the rights of the employee and the employer in a short-term contract agreement? This article unpacks the answer to this question by looking at how the CCMA has treated disputes around these agreements.

When you run a business, it’s important you hire the right employees. And when you run an SME, this becomes even more important. You run a small team and each and every member of this team has to be able to do their job and do it well. That’s why you need to make sure you’re choosing candidates the right way. Here are some great ways to select the right candidates for the job.

Many SMEs do not have an HR function, which is understandable in organisations with few employees. A full-time HR person would be costly and probably not fully utilised if the headcount does not warrant it. As Human Resources is ultimately a management responsibility, management should bear the full brunt of this in an SME. However, many managers are not well versed in the full HR functions, and HR mistakes due to a lack of understanding of the current HR environment can be costly and time-consuming. These HR functions are critical to any business, regardless of size.

Many companies want to hire interns, so they can play a part in assisting someone who is desperately trying to gain experience and get a foot in the door. Interns are young, fresh and want to prove their worth to any valuable company which hires them, they are motivated and bring increased productivity. They are exactly the kind of people you want on board, as they work hard at completing a task with efficiency and enthusiasm. Here's why hiring young interns to work at your company has benefits for both parties.

No one can deny that the global economic slow-down has had quite wide-ranging effects in South Africa over the past couple of years, particularly when you look at the recruitment market. Indeed, many recruitment companies themselves have fallen by the way-side while others have had to consolidate. Ultimately, organisations need to spend more time identifying the talent and developing it as opposed to going for the quick-fix. Here are some tips on how to better approach recruitment.

As if starting a new business weren’t scary enough, the next step is to grow it by hiring someone. This article outlines the steps you need to take when hiring your first employee, and the series of events that are sure to make the process less daunting. From getting your ducks in a row, to starting the process, to bracing yourself for change, hiring your first employee is a straightforward task that will change your life for the better.

The South African Labour Guide is an online guide to labour law in South Africa. The guide provides information and resources on 24 hour notices; absenteeism; alcoholism in the workplace; bonuses; constructive dismissal; the Consumer Protection Act; employment contracts; derivative misconduct; desertion; dismissals; inconsistency relating to the disciplinary sanctions; insubordination; poor performance; probation; resignations; and much more.

Considering you’re the boss, employing staff should be a breeze. But, what if you decide on a candidate or feel hopeful about a CV you’ve received and they turn you down? This scenario seems unlikely seeing as the job market is flooded with hopeful applicants. However, these applicants are also a part of the millennial generation and they take job satisfaction, and the quality of the environment in which they spend their working hours, very seriously. Here are three tips to remember before starting the interview process.

This simple tool will help you manage and plan your human resources (i.e. schedule your staff). It will enable you to calculate the number of employees you will need over a certain period of time, or to start your new business. You can customize the hours covered in each shift (morning, afternoon and evening) and use a color code or an X to mark which employee covers each shift. You can use it on a weekly base and/or have monthly planning.

One challenging part of the hiring process is informing an applicant that he or she will not be getting the job. Find attached a sample rejection letter.

Hiring a new employee? Download our Sample Employment Application Form that helps you find the right person for the job that you offer.

Need help conducting a job interview? You may benefit from our sample interview script and assessment template, which can be easily adapted for your needs.

Attached is a sample job description form. The three examples may serve as a starting point for creating a position description of your own.

Sending an offer letter may be the most exciting culminating moment of the hiring process. Here you can find a sample offer letter.

SMEs play a vital role in job creation and addressing the issue of unemployment in South Africa. It is not uncommon for a lot of these jobs to cater to entry-level staff. This article, therefore, explores how SMEs may successfully hire and bring on entry-level staff, which is a critical skill for business owners and a key tool through which unemployment can begin to be addressed.

Anyone who works for you must receive a document containing certain information regarding the conditions of their employment.

HR can make or break your business. However, small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) often wait for something to go wrong before they consult an HR specialist. Putting a few basic policies and procedures in place from the outset could save you both time and anxiety. This article looks at tips to help you handle all things HR-related in your business.

A look at the pros and cons of hiring interns.