WORKPLACE REALITY Preparing Grade 11s and 12s for

WORKPLACE REALITY Preparing Grade 11’s and 12’s for employment in South Africa MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

2014’s workplace. . . Tangible change to the workplace in the last 12 weeks. • Inspiration has given way to desperation. • Previous wealth is repalced with extreme frugality. • Caution seems to have replaced innovation and growth in the workplace. • MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Some depressing stuff… • • SA has a 48% unemployment rate. Retrenchments are rocketing. Recruitment is slowing Companies are hunting qualified black employees and women. Expectations of new applicants. (Increasing) Conservatism of older employers. Affirmative Action affects black and white. Black Economic Empowerment. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

But wait – there’s more… MOST OF OUR GRADE 12’s LAUNCH INTO Slowing THIS economy. WORKPLACE IN ONLY 10 Reluctance to. MONTHS train Employees. TIME. Demand for trained experience. Private school education. Expectations of new candidates. Starting at the top. Employing people 30 need years old. More than everunder – they to know Disgruntled white men. what is coming there way at work. Salaries are dropping with real income. Benefits are vanishing. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

And now for the good news… Mr. Gordham believes we are safe. SA has a horrific skills shortage. Global economic “non-depression” is bringing skills back. BEE demands more women. Private school education. More women in executive/board level. Entrepreneurial spirit of white men. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

… but wait - there’s even is more… • • • More women-owned and managed companies than ever. SA protects its women at work more than any other country. The millennium generation are chameleons. Young black women have a positive impression. The smallest spark is nurtured – if it is MADE evident. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

… were not finished just yet… Employees rights are well entrenched and respected. MATRICULANT AN • EMPLOYING Employers are. Alooking for cheaper IS labour. EXPENSIVE RISK – trainable and • Matriculants are seen as unused, cheap. EMPLOYERS NEED TO FEEL CONFIDENT • The kind of flexible innovation of the Millennial IN MAKING THE COMMITTMENT AND in the workplace is what the country needs. • KNOW THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM IT. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Employers impression of matriculants as …and all of this is in their favour. employees. • • • Can’t hold onto them long enough. Happy to be out of work. Assume they will find work anywhere. Believe that can do anything. Not limited by geography Too independent and can’t work together. Technologically scary. Too flexible and too clever. Self serving. Not career-specific orientated. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

What does the employer want? • • • Cooperation and obedience. Integrity and initiative. A full day’s work. Speak up when something goes wrong. To be motivated and to keep learning. Constantly improving job performance. Cooperate with other employees. Self disciplined. Emotional maturity. Be able to take criticism. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Most common difficulties with matriculants at work? • • • Timekeeping. Deadlines. Personal effect on the professional. Porn. Cell Phones and Face. Book Use of resources which are not work related. General disregard for workplace rules. General disregard for managerial authority. Consistently broke. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. • • The CV and making it easy to be employed. The first impression. Managing the interview. The tricks interviewers will play on them. How to sell themselves The first day. Workplace behavior. The rules of the workplace. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. Their legal rights in terms of law. • What discrimination is. • What sexual harassment is. • What affirmative action and employment equity are. • Commitment expected from them. • Financial planning as employed adults. • MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. • Working life is regulated by law: • • The Constitution, The Labour Relations Act The Basic Conditions of Employment Act The Employment Equity Act The Skills Development Act The Black Economic Empowerment Act Occupational Health and Safety Act MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. • Workplace Control: • • • Work is not a democracy. Every aspect of your working day is tightly controlled. The company dictates the manner in which the law will be exercised. • Leave, sickness, babies, death, termination of employment, toilet and smoking breaks, when, where, why and how you will work – everything is controlled MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. • • • The right to work Not be discriminated against… unless its fair The right to strike The right to be treated fairly The right to not be unfairly dismissed. The right to strike The right to join a trade union. Paid for work And to dignity and respect And to freedom of expression And to not be harassed MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. • Benefits: • • • • Leave for only 21 days a year (including weekends). 3 days family responsibility leave. 30 days sick leave over three years. 4 months UNPAID maternity leave. No honeymoon and marriage leave. Annual increases, bonuses and promotions: Optional 3 days Paternity leave. Adoption leave: Optional Medical aid and retirement funding: Optional Expense accounts, car allowances: optional. Pleasant working environment: optional. Maximum working hours: 45 per week, 9 hours a day. Compulsory rest times. Duvet days: No. MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386

Grade 11 s & 12 s need to know…. Since January the game has changed. Our learners are going to have to learn to adapt to play the game Until the game changes again. AND IT DOES!! EVERY YEAR, EVERY DAY. SO, BE AWAKE, AWARE AND HARDWORKING! MARK KERRUISH: 083 -601 -6386