Shop Stewards Training Program
This comprehensive four-day training program is designed to equip shop stewards with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively represent workers in labor relations matters
Description
This comprehensive four-day training programme is designed to equip shop stewards with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively represent workers in labour relations matters. The course will cover key aspects of labour law, dispute resolution, collective bargaining, and workplace rights, ensuring that shop stewards are well-prepared to advocate for employees and engage constructively with employers.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, shop stewards will:
- Understand their roles and responsibilities in labour relations.
- Be equipped with negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
- Have a clear understanding of employment laws and regulations.
- Be able to advocate effectively for workers in disciplinary and grievance matters.
How will this Training Course be Presented?
- Interactive presentations
- Group discussions
- Case study analyses
- Role-playing and simulation exercises
- Q&A sessions
The Course Content
Day 1: Foundations of Labour Relations and Employment Law
Session 1: Introduction to Labour Relations
- Role and responsibilities of shop stewards
- The legal framework governing labour relations
- Importance of shop stewards in workplace representation
Session 2: Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Definition and importance of ADR
- Types of ADR: Mediation, Conciliation, Arbitration
- How disputes are referred to conciliation and arbitration for an award
Session 3: Categories of Termination of Employment
- Dismissal vs. Resignation
- Constructive dismissal: Definition and implications
- Retrenchments and severance packages
Session 4: Dismissal and Unfair Dismissal
- Grounds for fair and unfair dismissal
- Procedural and substantive fairness
- Case studies on dismissal disputes
Day 2: Workplace Rights and Legal Frameworks
Session 5: Labour Act & Duties of Workplace Union Representatives (WUR)
- Key provisions of the Labour Act
- Roles and responsibilities of WUR
- Compliance and enforcement mechanisms
Session 6: Grievance Procedures
- Definition and importance of grievances
- Steps in handling grievances effectively
- Case studies on grievance resolution
Session 7: The Right to Strike and Lockout
- Legal framework for industrial action
- Protected vs. unprotected strikes
- Employer’s response to strikes and lockouts
Session 8: Workplace Conditions and Employee Rights
- What is a workplace?
- Basic conditions of employment
- Hours of work and overtime regulations
Day 3: Representation, Negotiation, and Dispute Management
Session 9: Disputes of Right vs. Disputes of Interest
- Differences between rights disputes and interest disputes
- Legal remedies and resolution processes
- Case studies on dispute classification
Session 10: Collective Bargaining and Employer Organisations
- Definition and importance of collective bargaining
- The role of employer organisations
- Trade unions and their role in collective negotiations
Session 11: Suspension Procedures and Disciplinary Hearings
- Legal procedures for employee suspension
- Preparing for and attending disciplinary hearings
- Tactics for cross-examination in disciplinary hearings
Session 12: Negotiation Tactics for Salary and Wage Benefits
- Strategies for effective negotiation
- Case studies on successful salary negotiations
- Role-playing exercises
Day 4: Workplace Policies, Health & Safety, and Legal Protections
Session 13: Leave Management
- Different types of leave and their entitlements
- Managing leave disputes in the workplace
- Compliance with statutory leave policies
Session 14: Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
- Understanding discrimination and fair discrimination
- What is sexual harassment?
- Legal framework and employer obligations
Session 15: Employee Health, Safety, and Welfare
- Workplace safety regulations
- Employer and employee responsibilities
- Reporting and addressing workplace hazards
Session 16: Course Wrap-Up and Final Assessment
- Recap of key topics covered
- Open discussion and Q&A session
- Case study analysis
Certification and feedback session