Business Environments

Question 1

The purpose of the act

Answer 1

The EEA allows employees who do the same work to be paid equally.
Eliminates discrimination on grounds of gender/race/disability in the workplace.
Promotes equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace.
Ensures equal representation of all population groups in the workplace.

Question 2

Positives of the EEA

Answer 2

Impacts positively of BEE rating of businesses.
Encourage consultation between employer and employees.

Question 3

Negatives of the EEA

Answer 3

Diversity in the workplace may lead to conflict/unhappiness.
Job hopping of skilled/trained EE appointees may increase staff turnover.

Question 4

Actions that are considered non-compliant

Answer 4

Not employing a young woman because she would want to have children in future.
Refusing to employ a person because he/she has strong religious beliefs/has a disability.
Doing HIV testing unless justifies by the labour court.
Denying people access to the workforce based on gender/ race/culture/etc. and treating them unfairly.

Question 5

Consequences of non-compliance

Answer 5

Labour inspectors may investigate/inspect/ask questions about complaints.
Businesses may face heavy fines for non-compliance.
They can be ordered to pay compensation and damages to the employees.
A compliance order may be issued to businesses that do not comply with the EEA.

Question 6

Ways in which businesses can comply with the act

Answer 6

Businesses must guard against discriminatory appointments.
Prepare an employment equity plan in consultation with employees.
Implement an employment equity plan.
Submit the employment equity plan to the Department of Labour.