Fiona Leppan

On site, but off duty: A generous interpretation of COIDA

In Bent v Rand Mutual Assurance (Pty) Ltd (9 December 2025), the High Court considered an appeal by the employee challenging Rand Mutual Assurance’s (RMA) rejection of a claim for...

Penalties applicable to the failure to implement sectoral targets

In this episode CDH Conversations, Director, Fiona Leppan and Senior Associate, Kgodisho Phashe in the Employment Law practice, unpack the Labour Court’s recent judgment in Mathebe...

The Labour Court draws the line on interdicting unprotected strikes in Boomerang Fruits v MKP

The recent decision of the Labour Court in Boomerang Fruits (Pty) Ltd v uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP) and Others JDR2025-061014 (LC) provides timely clarification on the legal thresholds...

Navigating the balance between the right to privacy and the right of access to information in De Jager v Netcare Limited and Others

The balance between the constitutional right to privacy and the right of access to information becomes especially complex in circumstances where personal data is impacted by the pursuit...

Changes to COIDA employer assessments effective 1 March 2025

On 4 April 2025, the Minister of Employment and Labour published a notice announcing key changes to the prescribed assessment amounts under Section 83(8) and Section 83(2)(b) of the...

Navigating occupational health and safety in the digital economy

The digitalisation of labour has become increasingly prevalent, necessitating a review of occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols and standards. Employers and employees face unprecedented...

How inspectors should conduct inspections under the OHSA

The recent Labour Court decision in Truworths Limited v The Chief Inspector: Occupational Health and Safety, Department of Employment and Labour and Another Case Number: J1597/21 has...

The steps and missteps from employers approaching mental health in the workplace: Lessons from the Court

Employers are required to balance the relevant support for employees against their operational needs. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, SANS regulations and South...

Improving health and safety in the iron and steel sector

On 26 February 2025, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour (Deputy Minister) addressed delegates from the iron and steel sector (sector) about the importance of improving occupational health...

The National Health Insurance and Employee Benefits

Aadil Patel, Head of Employment Law practice and the Government & State-Owned Entities sector teamed up with Fiona Leppan, a Director in the Employment Law practice, for a recent feature...

Mental illness as a compensatable disease under COIDA: Key lessons from Urquhart v Compensation Commissioner

In Urquhart v Compensation Commissioner 27 ILJ 96 (E), the High Court addressed whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) qualifies as a compensatable illness under section 91...

Mental health and workplace safety: Evolving employer responsibilities under occupational health and safety

Mental health is increasingly recognised as integral to workplace safety. While physical health has traditionally been a focal point for health and safety practitioners, key legislation...

Guidance Note for the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in the South African Mining Industry

On 11 October 2024, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) released the Guidance Note for the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in the South African...

Guidelines released by the Department of Employment and Labour: What every employer and worker should know about workplace safety

On 3 October 2024, the Department of Employment and Labour published a critical guide titled: What every worker and employer should know about health and safety in the workplace ....

Strict liability and employers’ approach to the Occupational Health and Safety Act: Lessons from Joubert v Buscor Proprietary Limited

In Joubert v Buscor Joubert v Buscor Proprietary Limited (2013/13116) ZAGPPHC 1024, the application of strict liability under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHSA)...

Health and Safety in the Workplace: Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) - Pending Amendments

New asthma compensation regulations: Ensuring adequate treatment for affected workers

On 7 June 2024, the Minister of Employment and Labour officially promulgated two significant sets of regulations aimed at protecting workers affected by respiratory conditions. These...

Webinar Recording | The new Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court rules: A roadmap to efficiency

On 3 May 2024, new Labour Court and Labour Appeal Rules were published that will soon replace the existing court rules.

Webinar Recording | Health and Safety in the Workplace webinar series: COIDA

Health and safety is an important component of all workplaces. Watch the first webinar discussion of our Health and Safety series.

Criminal charges laid by employer? An employer can still take disciplinary action!

The Labour Court held that criminal charges laid by the employer against an employee can never stand in the way of that employer subjecting the employee to a disciplinary enquiry in...

Can an employee be dismissed for refusing to obey an instruction to work overtime?

Recently the labour court handed down a judgment in which it had to consider whether dismissal for insubordination was an appropriate sanction for employees who refused to obey an...

Four day work week

During her interview with 702, to discuss the global trend of a four-day work week, Fiona Leppan, Director in our Employment Law practice noted that, "doing collaborative sessions...

Firefighter injured on Duty – A closer look into inherent job requirements and reasonable accommodation

Recently, the Constitutional Court decided the case of Adam Damons v City of Cape Town, where an employee firefighter who was injured at work and sustained a disability (as a result...

Religious and cultural wear at work

Religious and cultural expression is of paramount importance among South Africans, and as we come down from the high of Heritage Day on 24 September, the conversation around religious,...

Flux trend report on female job losses

Fiona Leppan, Director in the Employment practice joined Kaya FM to discuss the Flux Trend report. She explains why women are vulnerable when it comes to retrenchments.

How women have been impacted by the current labour environment during COVID-19

Employment Director Fiona Leppan joined Kaya FM's Kaya Bizz to take a look at how women have been impacted by the current labour environment during COVID-19.

How well do women fare in the South African labour market

Employment Director Fiona Leppan joined Newzroom Afrika to take a look at whether South African employers are being sufficiently receptive to the additional burden of family responsibility...

What does an employer do when they cannot afford to pay vulnerable employees who cannot be accommodated in the workplace?

Vulnerable employees who cannot work from home and cannot be accommodated in the workplace present a financial burden for employers where a large portion of their workforce may seek...

Gender parity in the workplace

Fiona Leppan, Director in the Employment practice joined Morning Live on SABC 2 to discuss gender parity in the workplace.

Gender pay gap in South Africa

Fiona Leppan, Director in Employment Practice joined SAfm to discusses the huge gender pay gap in South Africa.

Fiona Leppan joined SAfm to discuss retrenchments

Employment Director, Fiona Leppan joined SAfm to discuss retrenchments

Recent ConCourt ruling on Labour Brokers in South Africa

Employment Director, Fiona Leppan joined Chai FM's AVI on Business to discuss the recent Constitutional Court ruling on Labour Brokers in South Africa.

Director Fiona Leppan talks about ‘knowing your rights – working after hours’

Employment Director Fiona Leppan joined Bruce Whitfield's The Money Show to talk about flexi time; and employers vs employees' rights around working after hours.