Fair Dismissal Practices for Employers Self-Study Course

Fairness in the workplace is not just about being treated nicely—it is about having your rights respected and your voice heard. Whether it is a performance review, a promotion decision, or a disciplinary process, fairness plays a critical role in shaping trust, morale, and productivity. But not all fairness is the same. Two key concepts every employee should understand are substantive fairness and procedural fairness.

Module 1 – Introduction and Basic Concepts

Fairness at Work

Substantive Fairness VS Procedural Fairness

Why both principles matter

What Employees should know?

Module 2 – Substantive Fairness

What is Substantive Fairness?

Types of misconduct (minor, serious, gross)

Types of Evidence Commonly Used

Develop and Maintain Clear Rules and Standards

The consequences of getting it wrong

Module 3 – Procedural Fairness

What is Procedural Fairness?

Legal Foundation

Core Principle – The right to be heard

Step-by-step process demonstration

Common Procedural Pitfalls

Lessons from CCMA Awards

Module 4 – Incapacity and Poor Performance

What is Incapacity?

HR Guide: Steps to Manage Poor Performance Fairly

What Happens if You Get It Wrong?

Best practices