Skills Alone Won't Secure that Job

There is often disbelief when senior candidates fail to secure sought after positions, especially when they are appropriately experienced, with a good education.

We also see it with executives who assumed they would be in line for promotion due to their status and tenure, but who are passed over.

So why is this?

The fact is skills and experience alone won’t necessarily get you the job. In order to compete effectively in this highly competitive market, people need to adapt themselves to changing needs and criteria.

Skills, education and experience are of course crucial, but todays hiring managers review these proficiencies in conjunction with softer skills to ensure a more successful fit.

‘Fit’ can include aspects such as managerial or leadership style, personality, behaviours, mind-set, personal presentation, ethics, worldview and adaptability.

The reasons behind this are solid. Poor hiring decisions are costly in more ways than one. Hiring someone with a weak cultural fit can create internal polarisation, work force disruption, loss of key staff and revenue.

According to a 2012 CareerBuilder poll, 69% of companies surveyed experienced a bad hire that year. Of those companies, 41% said that the bad hire cost them US$25k and 24% said it cost them over US$50k.

According to a 7 Geese post, the Competency Iceberg model shows 20% of an individual (above the surface of an iceberg) is made up of technical competency, whereas 80% (hidden below the surface of the iceberg) is all about the essence of the person, such as values and beliefs.

* image source managementstudyguide.com

Technical skills can be trained, but not cultural fit.

So what can be done to increase a person’s chances of being a good fit? Most people are held back in their personal development by a lack of self-awareness. People know what-they-know and don’t know what-they-don’t-know, until someone points it out.

It’s difficult to be objective about ourselves, and in reality, how others experience us is quite often different to what we think.

Gaining self-awareness enables people to lift their rose-tinted glasses and break self-limiting traits and reshape their communication and behavioural styles. And just as important, it helps us recognise the impact we have on others. Someone who is aware of his or her blind spots is much more valuable than one who isn’t.

The most successful individuals are those who embrace change and nurture a desire to learn, grow and adapt. It’s never too late to enhance your personal offering and become more competitive in the market place.

 About the Author

After several years in corporate finance and a decade in c-suite executive search, Madge Gibson now heads up The CHANGE Initiative (Pty) Ltd – an Outplacement company based in South Africa.

Email address: madge@thechangeinitiative.co.za

Company website:  http://www.thechangeinitiative.co.za/

Switchboard number: (021) 683 0485

Article by Madge Gibson for

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

The CV

The CV

Lipstick on a pig & other popular misunderstandings

Written by Madge  Gibson

In South Africa’s competitive job market, presenting a well-written CV is not only sensible, but shrewd.

Employers are increasingly frustrated by poorly constructed CVs that waste their time.
Laborious, cluttered CVs with lazy typo’s and spelling mistakes – these are a few of the
things that contribute to missed opportunities.

So what kinds of misunderstandings devalue a CV?

A good CV will get you the job - FALSE
Yes a good CV is important – it represents you - it’s an introduction that will hopefully lead to an
interview. But, if your interview skills don’t match the impressive CV content, you won’t necessarily get the job.

Having a strong CV but poor interviewing skills is about as helpful as putting lipstick on a pig.
You need both.

CVs aren’t as important these days - FALSE
CVs continue to be recruitment currency, whether in soft or hard copy. A well-written, content
appropriate CV that is easy to read will win the heart of many a recruiter, providing you with a greater chance of being considered for a role.

Including a photograph on your CV is expected - FALSE
You are applying for a job, not a date.

Unless your appearance is particularly important to the position (such as applying for an acting or
modelling role), the focus should be on your skills and experience. Also, including a photograph
immediately opens you up to unconscious bias based on your appearance – so why go there?

Writing your CV in the 3rd person is clever - FALSE
No. No. And NO. It’s just weird. Don’t do it.

Avoid tired clichés and self-congratulatory adjectives - TRUE
A CV should be an unpretentious summary of facts. Overselling or hyping yourself will only create
doubt about your objectivity.
Deal with the facts, use positive language and include achievements, but avoid blatantly boastful
language such as “outstanding”, “unparalleled” “inspired”, “winning” … etc.

Triple check for spelling, grammatical errors and typos - TRUE
Your CV is a business document not a WhatsApp message.

A badly written CV is a Red Flag, it can indicate ineptitude, indifference, or at the very least a lack of
attention to detail. No employer wants that. If you know this is an area of weakness, ask someone to
help you.

Size counts - TRUE
Ideally a CV should be no longer than 2 to 3 pages.

Part of successful CV composition is knowing how to write concisely without leaving out important
information. No one has time for lengthy documents these days, so the ability to summarise, as well as prioritise information, is a skill that employers welcome.
Remember, your CV is a summary, not a novel.

Minimise personal information - TRUE
The days of including your marital status, number of children, home address, ID number, date of birth, salary, drivers licence etc. etc. are over. With cyber crime and identity theft on the increase we need to be more circumspect with what we share.
Include contact details such as mobile number and email address, but the rest can be covered during a
conversation.

Article by Madge Gibson, Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

Hacks to help you during an interview.

6 Psychological hacks

to help you

during an Interview

Written by Madge Gibson

When it comes to job interviews, how you act is almost as important as what you say.

While you’re concentrating on answering questions, your body is revealing subconscious clues about what you’re thinking and feeling (embodied cognition).

Here are a few hacks to support you during your interview.

1. Warm up

Arrive a few minutes early and visit the bathroom. Take a few deep breaths and shake off any lingering tension. Wash and then warm your hands, either under hot water or under a hand dryer. Sounds bland but dry, warm hands inspire confidence. Cold, clammy hands are a big turn-off. As are hot, sweaty hands.

Putting yourself in the right mindset from the start will help you focus and calm your nerves.

2. Mirror their movements

Mirroring is a social phenomenon where people unconsciously mimic anothers posture, gestures or words. When you notice subtle mirroring occurring between two people, it indicates that there is an unconscious comfort, trust or rapport between them. It’s a good thing.

Applying this technique consciously can be a helpful tool to build rapport, but it needs to be done very subtly or it will backfire.

If you’re sitting down, you could mimic the other person’s seated posture. Or look at their hands, are they crossed or uncrossed? Do the same. If they gesticulate with their hands during conversation, you could also use your hands. Do they sit very still and formal? Then keep your movements to a minimum. Don’t copy everything they do, just choose one or two aspects.

Note: mirroring is about empathy and attunement, not mimicry. So tune in.

3. Slow down

You may feel compelled to answer each question quickly, but don’t be afraid to take a few seconds to collect your thoughts. A slower response is more impactful than a rushed one. Also, consciously slowing down the torrent of words will give you greater control over what comes out of your mouth.  Keep your ‘speech pace’ calm and measured. Not rushed. You will appear more thoughtful and confident.

4. Watch your body language

A nervous habit, such as cracking your knuckles, playing with your pen or bouncing your foot, can be disruptive and interfere with the flow of the meeting. Are you smiling or grimacing? Are your arms crossed, or relaxed and open? Are you sitting or slouching? Become aware of your body language and manage it as best you can.

Similarly, be alert to the facial expressions of the interviewer, including micro expressions (involuntary flashes of expression). Your interviewer’s facial expressions can provide valuable feedback on how the interview is going. Watch for signs of boredom, keen interest or skepticism. For example, if they lock eyes with you, they’re probably expecting you to elaborate more. Picking up on these nuances will help you tailor your responses to keep the interview on track.

5. Connect with your interviewer

Finding common ground with your interviewer creates a personal bond, making it easier to connect. Think about it this way, if you were forced to meet 20 strangers at a function and it turned out one of them had attended the same university as you – you would probably gravitate to that person because you had something in common.

Try to find something that bonds you through visual clues, such as a common school, interest or sport. It’s not always possible, but when the opportunity arises, use it to your advantage.

In this scenario ‘familiarity breeds comfort”.

6. Visualize the ideal interview

Visualisation can be very helpful in preparing for important or stressful situations. Start visualizing yourself in the interview a few days beforehand. Rehearse what you want to say and how you want to feel during the interview (e.g. calm, confident and composed).

The key to visualisation success is accessing the emotions of what you’re visualising, not just watching the scenario play out in your mind. For example, if you want to feel confident, physically take a deep breath, puff out your chest, hold your head high and imagine being gloriously confident. It is the combination of visualisation and feeling the associated emotions that anchors the memory. The more you practice the better you’ll do. When you arrive, tap into the memory of your visualised practice sessions - it’ll help you get into that mindset.

* Article inspired and adapted from a post on businessinsider.com

Article by Madge Gibson, Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

Puppy selling on our streets is a crime!

This article is not only informatory, but it is also an appeal to all residents to assist us with this issue, by using the guidelines below.

Story:

Driving home, I pass a seemingly homeless man holding a very small puppy in his arms. I immediately can see that the puppy looks dehydrated and sickly.

I stop my vehicle and the homeless man approaches me. ‘R200 to buy this dog’, he says. I whip out my purse and give him the money in order to rescue the puppy.

** YOU MIGHT HAVE RESCUED THIS PUPPY, BUT YOU HAVE NOW PUT ANOTHER ONE’S LIFE AT RISK!!!**

Firstly, it is important to know that these puppies are very often stolen/taken away from their mothers far too early. Most are 5 weeks or younger when they are sent to the streets to be sold. 

This is animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty is a crime is South Africa. Section 51 of 1977 of the Criminal Procedure Act dictates the sentencing.

Where do these puppies come from?

These puppies are very often stolen, or bred in the worst kinds of conditions.

When questioned; one homeless man admitted that his sister has many dogs and they breed them all the time to make money. The bitches are not given a period to rest between litters. Their injections are not up to date. They are malnourished and left outside in all weather conditions.

So regardless of whether or not the puppy was stolen or is bred for this activity, we need to form a united front BY NOT ENCOURAGING THIS BEHAVIOUR!

Here are a few ways how you can help:

1. Steal the puppy (if you are brave enough; please don’t put your personal safety at risk.)

* By stealing the puppy, the man does not get money, and therefore is discouraged from coming back into the area.

2. Call your security/armed response provider to facilitate the process

* i.e. Please assist with the puppy seller on the corner of Rosmead and Hampstead Road

* The response officer can confiscate the puppy, and give the man a stern warning

3. Put it on your neighbourhood Whatsapp Groups

* There is strength in numbers

* The man will now know that the whole community will NOT accept this behavior

  

What do you do with the stolen/confiscated puppy?

Most vets in the area, particularly The Cape Animal Medical Clinic on Rosmead Avenue (24 hours), are more willing to take the puppy in, to find a home for them, if they are stolen AND not paid for!

SAPS is on board with us and as law enforcement officers, we are all mandated to take care not only of people, but also of our little furry friends!

Princeton Armed Response

* * * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY MADGE GIBSON:

Note that there is also a telephone number for the Puppy Seller Police, who will send someone to confiscate the puppies. 

Their response times have been mostly excellent, but of course it depends on how busy they are, or where they are at the time of the call. 

Ideally the complainant should stay with the puppy seller until the Puppy Police arrive - I would recommend doing so without alerting them to the fact that the police are on the way - play with the pups, ask questions etc.

The numbers are: 021 - 761 5071, or 021 - 596 1999.

It’s also important (once the police or armed response are there) to take photographs of the puppy seller and their ID with your cell phone. And note, if at all possible, their cell phone number and address. This information is then passed onto the SPCA to help retrieve the breeding bitches etc.

Where have all the manners gone?

Here we are in November 2018, and I’m disheartened to admit that good manners are now, officially, rare. They’re heading down the route of the Rhino and Dodo – exploited into extinction by man’s greed and selfishness.

Let’s be honest, we’ve pretty much trashed most of our grand parents’ social etiquette. We disengage from day-to-day niceties by burying our heads in our phones. Many of us are bizarrely self(ie) obsessed – it’s all about “Me Me Me”. Violence is all too commonplace and cutting sarcasm is applauded. 

What the hell? Where have all the good manners gone?

Before my rant rockets off into an uncontrollable explosion, let me touch on a few examples.

- How often do you use ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ or ‘excuse me’?
- How often do switchboard operators leave a favorable impression?
- How many clients / customers / friends respond to an important email within 24 hours, if at all?
- How often do business associates return your call / message within 24 hours, if at all?
- How often do cashiers smile and make you want to return to the store?
- How often have you been rude or cutting to a server or employee?
- How often have you opened the door for someone, or stood aside to let them go first?
- How often are you late for meetings or social engagements?

It’s often the small things that build up to create a negative space. But isn’t there enough negativity? Demonstrating good manners reminds us to be aware of our environment and mindful of our actions. They slow us down a tad, forcing us to consider the feelings of others. They remind us of how we like to be treated ourselves.

When you treat someone well, they generally enjoy the experience. And life is too short not to insert as much kindness as you can.

With the festive and holiday season approaching let’s make it a point to choose kindness over irritation; to smile and make eye-contact with strangers; to verbally acknowledge the efforts of others, to complement and encourage; and generally treat our fellow South African’s well – regardless of their response or mood.

Image from Santoni.

And if you’re still not convinced, have a look at these wonderful quotes. Maybe they’ll do a better job of getting you thinking.

“Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.”
- Clarence Thomas

“Whoever one is, and wherever one is, one is always in the wrong if one is rude.”
- Maurice Baring

“Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people’s bad manners.”
- Eric Hoffer

“Politeness is the art of choosing among one’s real thoughts.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Good manners are the social niceties that cement our society and prevent us from acting like a cage full of rabid baboons, squealing at the top of our lungs and touching ourselves inappropriately.”
  -  Richard Bronson

Remember - how you treat others leaves an impression, for good or for bad. What lasting impression would you like to leave?

Article by Madge Gibson, Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

The Restraint of Trade contract

A subject that is mired in misunderstanding, wishful thinking and bad market Intel is the issue of a Restraint of Trade.

A Restraint of Trade is a contract, agreed between an employer and an employee.
It is created by the employer to protect them from loss of valuable IP that the employee would have been exposed to during their employment with the company. Typically this includes things like intellectual property, operating methodologies, client and trade secrets etc.

The contract places restrictions on what company information the outbound employee can share with other companies, as well as limit how quickly the employee can join a competitor company.

While the inclusion of a restraint agreement, from a commercial perspective is understandable, the agreement also has to be reasonable. An employer cannot prevent a departing employee from earning a living.

Here are six of the most common misconceptions around restraint of trade -

• Restraints are not legally enforceable 
• Restraints are legally enforceable, in South Africa and overseas

• A restraint is not valid if you are not financially compensated for it
• Not all restraints come with financial compensation
• Payment is not necessary to enforce a restraint

• Your restraint is lifted if you pay back the money
• Not necessarily so. It depends on the individual circumstances and the contract wording. The final decision lies in the hands of the contract provider. 

• Confusion between ‘Retention Bonuses’ with ‘Restraint of Trade’.
• The purpose of a retention bonus is to encourage key members of staff to stay with the company over a critical or extended period of time – and these are not always linked to restraint clauses. 
• If the employee only has a retention bonus clause, paying back the money may release them from any further restrictions, but the terms and conditions of the clause must be read carefully – the document could be a combination of retention and restraint.

• Restraints are only valid for a few months
• Not true - contracts vary. The average restraint period in South Africa is 1-year post departure, but restraints are getting longer, in some cases issued for up to three years, but this is rare.

• Restraint periods and Notice periods are separate issues
• The average notice period in South Africa is one month, but the more senior you are the longer your notice period. Three to six months notice periods are not unusual.
• Once you have worked out your notice period and left the company, only then does your restraint of trade restriction start.

Restraints have their value, especially in the skills-challenged areas. But the implementation and acceptance should be given much thought.

This is a summarised article and not intended to serve as legal advice or a definitive or exhaustive analysis of the subject matter.

About the Author

After several years in corporate finance and a decade in c-suite executive search, Madge Gibson now heads up The CHANGE Initiative (Pty) Ltd – a Career Management and Outplacement company based in South Africa.

www.thechangeinitiative.co.za

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

Shoes hanging from power lines

Most of us have seen it – a pair of shoes, laces tied together, tossed over telephone or power lines.

It’s not a South African phenomenon - you’ll find the same practice across most cities around the world.

The question often asked is why? Why do people do this and what does it mean?

The most common urban legend associated with ‘shoe tossing’ is that the shoes / sneakers / trainers are an indication of drug activity, or of a drug dealer hotspot, or of drug dealers ‘marking’ their territory.

However the practice has being going on for decades and despite exhaustive research, there remains no universal or definitive meaning.

Of course there is meaning to the prankster who threw them up there in the first place, but there is no official or common meaning. It’s often a case of kids trying out stuff, showing off and harmless ‘monkey see monkey do’.

Other associations with ‘shoe tossing’ include ‘celebratory rites of passage’ such as losing your virginity, or graduations. Or even as a symbol to recognise the passing of someone beloved in the area.

In the 1997 film, Wag the Dog, shoe tossing features as a spontaneous cultural tribute to Sgt. William Schumann, played by Woody Harrelson, who had been “shot down behind enemy lines”.

If you’d like to learn a little more about the practice, there is a wonderful short documentary called The Mystery of Flying Kicks, where the filmmakers compiled answers from people all over the world, describing local legends and customs associated with shoe tossing. Here is a link to the film https://vimeo.com/71867019

Whatever the meaning, shoes on power lines are striking and entertaining. They make us notice our surroundings, wonder how the hell the shoes got up there in the first place … and what they mean. It gets us talking to each other.

It’s also a little reminder that not all human activities can be rationalised  ;-)

Article by Madge Gibson – Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

Day Zero 6 toilet facts

DAY ZERO

6 toilet facts you need to know

OUR BIGGEST WATER GUZZLER IS THE TOILET

1. If the taps are turned off how will I flush my toilet? 

You will be able to flush your toilets with rainwater or greywater. If absolutely necessary, use bottled water – but using drinking water is a dreadful waste and we need to preserve it for drinking. Ultimately, Cape Town will move away from using fresh water to flush toilets and the CoCT is currently investigating alternatives.

2. Can I flush my toilet with seawater?

No. Flushing with seawater is NOT an option.  Seawater increases salt in the waste water treatment plants, and if the salinity levels get too high the microbes which treat the sewage can’t survive and the treatment plants will stop working. The same principle applies to septic tank systems, which rely on microbes to decompose the sewage.

3. Will the sewer systems still work after Day Zero?

The City of Cape Town has indicated that the sewer systems will continue to work after Day Zero. They intend to flush the system at appropriate points to try and keep the sewage moving. However it is important for all of us to minimise (as much as possible) the amount of dry product put into our toilets such as toilet paper, wipes, tampons etc. Wherever you can, please use alternative, hygienic, disposal methods.

4. What is more dangerous: urine or faeces?

Faeces (poo) is more dangerous as it contains disease-carrying bacteria and microbes.  Good sanitation, combined with hand-washing/hand-sanitizers, dramatically reduces the risk of disease.

5. Is a dry toilet a realistic option?

The easiest option is a dry compost toilet. This is a bucket housed in a box to support your weight with a toilet seat of your choice and organic material to cover the poo. The cover material can be sawdust or decomposed compost (lots of good bugs). If you use a dry compost system it’s really important to keep your face well clear when handling the buckets and use a good pair of kitchen gloves that you can clean and re-use specially for the task.

6. How do I know if a dry toilet is working properly?

A dry (bucket) toilet works properly if your material doesn’t leak out of the container/bucket, if you can pick up the container comfortably, and if the container can be closed. A composting toilet (which is bigger than a bucket) works well if it doesn’t smell. If it smells of ammonia, add more organic material. If it rots, there is too much liquid, this may be a design flaw, so if you go the compost toilet route, try having a way to safely remove some liquid with a tap at the bottom.

Other options to consider are commercial composting toilets or chemical toilets.

Useful links

web.facebook.com/groups/drysanitation
web.facebook.com/CompostLoo
www.diyhousebuilding.com/bucket-toilets.html
www.composttoilets.co.nz

Whichever you choose, be sure to do thorough research on cost and practicality. And try to prevent further harm to our environment.

* information sourced from WWF

Article by Madge Gibson, Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

An Update from the HVCID - May 2018

The Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID) are proud to announce that the 2018 Harfield Village Carnival made just over a R100 000 profit. These funds will be used to kick start the Village's security camera initiative. The HVCID committee will be releasing more details about the installation of cameras and the time frames at our AGM in September. In the meantime we will be getting revised quotes to update our overall camera plan, as the technology and prices have changed since we first investigated license plate recognition (LPR) cameras. We will also communicate with Fidelity ADT, SAPS, Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch and any other relevant parties to ensure an optimal camera initiative.

We would like to thank all those people who assisted with the organisation of the carnival both in the lead up and on the day. A very big thank you to all our sponsors as without these organisation's support and donations the Carnival would not have been possible. And in particular to Fidelity ADT, the main sponsor, who have also donated 2 license plate recognition cameras. Finally we would like to thank all the residents, families and friends who came out in amazing numbers to support the carnival. Although we don't have controlled access and therefore cannot get an accurate attendance figure, it is estimated that about 15 000 people attended the carnival through the day, which is a record number.

Again, many thanks to our sponsors: Fidelity ADT, Remax Premier, Olympic Cycles, SA Home Loans, Norgarb Properties, STBB, Betterbond, Rawson Properties, Supa Quick, Audi Centre Claremont, Claremont Volkswagen, Heads Property and Seeff Properties.

And sponsors of services: City of Cape Town, ER24, Revprint, Good Hope FM, Everything Internet, GIBHW, Morne Pieper of Kiiu, DCP Industries, ABInBev, Madge Gibson and Ronel Botha.

Raffle prizes from Vodacom and Huawei, Blaauwklippen, Revprint, Change Initiative, Atlantic Storm Brewery, Milk & Honey and Warwick First Lady.

JENNI COLEMAN
Manager - Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID)
Cell: 081 412 6109 E-mail: admin@hvcid.co.za

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community 

Local Railway Line

As the HVA annual Railway Clean-up was held not too long ago, I thought it would be nice to give our residents a few interesting facts about our local railway line.

Did you know that the first railway line in South Africa was actually laid in Durban in 1859? It was just two miles long and ran along the Bluff into Durban city.

The first official South Africa railway systems were started in Cape Town.

Initially these were privately owned. The Cape Town Railway and Dock Company started construction in 1859 and completed a single storey wood and iron building, close to the current Golden Acre Shopping Centre in circa 1861.

The first railway locomotive arrived in South Africa that year (1859) and was affectionately known as “Blackie”. It ran between Cape Town and Eersterivier.

By 1864 the Wynberg Railway Company connected Cape Town and Wynberg and then expanded to Wellington in 1865, and then to Muizenberg by 1882.

Claremont Station was apparently one of the first southern line stations to be completed, with the Harfield Village Station opening in 1931.

Kenilworth Station was opened in the 1900’s but unfortunately I haven’t been able to secure an actual date.

The main Cape Town station in Adderley Street was built in 1964 and covered between 25 and 35 city blocks.

Article by Madge Gibson - Harfield Village Resident.

May 2016

Protect yourself from fraud and identity theft

I recently received an unsolicited job application from a young lady, which caused me to ponder the naivety of many when it comes to personal security.

The email, addressed to no one in particular, contained the following -

·         Scanned copy of her ID document

·         Scanned copy of her Drivers licence

·         Scanned copy of her Passport

·         Her CV, which provided me with -

o   Her cell phone number

o   Email address

o   Previous and current residential addresses

o   Previous and current employers

Now if I were a crook - this would surely be ‘manna from Heaven’.

And this was done by an educated young person, not an old fogey – so someone who should have known better.

We are living in an increasing digital age and with that comes the risk of cyber crime and identity theft.

I’m not anti-internet, nor a conspiracy alarmist, but when you share aspects of your life on social media and email (as most of us do), you need to practice some degree of caution.

So what could happen?

·         Someone could clone your identity

·         Incur significant debt in your name (purchase a car, take out a loan etc.)

·         Access and empty out your bank account

·         Clone or use your credit cards

·         Open additional credit cards and accounts in your name

·         Commit a crime in your name

·         Stalk you

Cautionary suggestions

·         Update your computer and online passwords at least once a year and keep a note of the changes in a physical book, hidden somewhere safe at home or the office. NOT on a piece of paper in your wallet or purse.

·         Don’t use the same password for all your accounts

·         Create complex passwords and email addresses which are difficult to crack. Don’t use a combination of your name and date of birth such as tonysmith1975@gmail.com (hello!)

·         Create passwords with a combination of lowercase and upper case letters and one or two numbers. These are the hardest for hackers to decode

·         Don’t share your passwords with anyone

·         Don’t give out your personal information (date or birth, ID number, home address, bank account details) to strangers over the phone or via email – always verify their legitimately first

·         Shred confidential documents, receipts, statements etc. to avoid crooks retrieving information from your rubbish bin

·         Clean out your mailbox daily to avoid people stealing and opening your mail

·         Be mindful of what you share online – a photograph of your new home minus burglar bars or electric fencing could end up in the wrong hands

·         Ideally don’t put your address or phone number on Facebook – if a stranger needs to reach you ask them to inbox you so that the information isn’t visible to all on your public page

·         Be mindful of what information you have on your cell phone (photographs, passwords, emails, contact details of friends and family). Always keep your phone safe and protect it with a strong password

·         Back up your computer and phone regularly

Keep safe out there.

Article by Madge Gibson, Harfield Village Resident

www.harfield-village.co.za

www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

Facing retrenchment?

Here’s what you need to know

Facing retrenchment can be a frightening experience.

Its unchartered territory for most people, who end up feeling vulnerable because they’re unfamiliar with the legal processes and options.

So what should you know, and do, when faced with this harrowing situation?

Keep a cool head

It’s important to remain cool, calm and collected, especially when you’re on the verge of panic. This is a time to listen carefully, take notes and reflect.

Becoming emotional or confrontational will only cloud your judgement.

Assess the situation

Understand the broader picture -

·         Are you the only person impacted, or is this part of a bigger exercise?

·         What are the reasons for the termination? 

·         What was the criterion used to make the selections?

·         Is there an option for an alternative role within the company or group?

·         Is there a possibility of re-employment at a later stage?

·         What assistance is being offered to the retrenched employees?

Gaining clarity will help you contextualise what’s happening and formulate helpful questions.

Don’t sign anything straight away

Don’t feel pressurized into signing documentation straight away. Retrenchment processes allow employees a reasonable period of time to review documentation first.

The documentation is also lengthy and complicated, so take a day or two to read and absorb the content. If there are points that confuse or concern you, consult with the relevant HR executive within your organisation, or seek guidance from an external professional to help clarify terminology and options.

Once signed, the document becomes a legally binding agreement, which sets out the full terms of the settlement between the employer and employee.

Not all offers are bad

Most companies go to great lengths to create decent retrenchment packages for their impacted employees. So don’t be quick to jump to negative assumptions.

If you do have doubts, consult an external professional for their opinion.

What are the minimum requirements?

Circumstances will vary from company to company regarding the discretionary content of retrenchment packages, which are hugely dependent on available funds and HR policies. But financial limitations aside, retrenchment calculations are underpinned by the employee’s length of service as well as the circumstances of the employee’s termination (fault or no fault).

In South Africa, the minimum severance pay-out is one week’s salary for each completed year of employment with the company. You will also be paid out for any accrued leave days and your formal notice period (as per your contract). As well as the balance of your Pension or Provident Fund.

Severance packages can be negotiated

Employees are legally entitled to negotiate a better package. They can do this by themselves, through their trade union or with a labour lawyer. This doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be successful, but employees are entitled to negotiate for a fair package, which minimises financial hardship.

Most people take the path of least resistance during this difficult time, wishing to put the episode behind them as quickly as possible. But don’t underestimate the value of a carefully thought-out and professionally handled final negotiation.

What could be included in the package?

As previously mentioned this varies from company to company, but here are a few examples of package inclusions -

·         1.5 to 2 week’s pay for every full year worked with the company

·         Immediate departure without having to work out the notice period (at no financial loss to the employee)

·         An extended notice period with full pay e.g. 3 months notice instead of 1 month

·         An extension of benefit coverage for a set period of time

·         An Outplacement contract, to assist the employee in securing a new job

Seek guidance from a professional

There are many other areas that can be negotiated, which may significantly ease the burden of a sudden lay off. So if in doubt, seek professional advice and let them guide you through the possibilities.

For the brave, as they say ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’. The initial offer, once made, cannot be withdrawn – so you can always fall back on that if negotiations fail. This is another reason to treat the whole process, and everyone involved, nicely.

Note: Retrenchments take place for a variety of reasons; the company could be in financial difficulty, or undergoing restructuring, for example. It’s impossible to cover all scenarios. These are general guidelines.

Madge Gibson is a local, Harfield Village resident. See more of her articles here.

www.harfield-village.co.za

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