HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR LABOUR EXPERT

It is extremely difficult to find and choose a labour expert who suits your needs and who knows what he/she is doing due to the following possible reasons

Ø  The lay business manager does not always know enough about the law to assess whether the ‘specialist’ truly is a labour law expert.

Ø  There are many “so-called labour experts” around. Adverts you see may look impressive but could be exaggerated

Ø  The recommendation you get may be from the consultant’s friend!!

Ø  The consultant’s fee may be so low that it could cloud your judgement. If this is the case this should immediately ring the alarm bells.

Ø  Has a tertiary qualification in

·         the labour relations or

·         human resources field or

·         Law

Ø  Has substantial experience as a labour law  practitioner i.e.

·         He/she has defended successfully companies in similar or other cases

·         He/she has got the practical experience to defend your company and not just written articles on how to become successful

Ø  Has a solid background in corporate industrial relations management

Ø  Has access to the latest labour statutes and to case law decisions

Ø  Charges a fee that is not suspiciously low or extremely high but that is affordable in terms of your own budget.

Ø  Is willing to  be available as soon as you need him and not just decides which problem areas is easy to attend to and then be available.

Ø  Does not charge hidden fees when you have an emergency and need him/her.

Ø  Provides the full spectrum of labour law and industrial relations services including:

v  Chairing of disciplinary hearings

v  Representation of employers at CCMA and bargaining councils

v  Labour relations consultation, labour litigation and legal advice

v  Review and drafting of employment contracts

v  Retrenchment, restructuring

v  Drafting of outsourcing agreements

v  Negotiating and drafting union recognition agreements

v  Union wage negotiations

v  Strike assistance

v  Implementation of employment equity and assistance thereof.

v Do you actually have a case or is the labour expert here for the “ride”

v Does your labour expert have the integrity to tell you that you have made a mistake and that you would be paying him unnecessary fees?