Document background
The Employee Last Chance Agreement is a crucial document in South African employment law, typically implemented when traditional progressive discipline has not achieved the desired improvement in employee conduct or performance. It serves as an alternative to immediate termination, offering a final opportunity for employment continuation while protecting the employer's interests. The agreement must comply with South African labor legislation, including the Labour Relations Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and often involves consultation with union representatives where applicable. It should detail specific incidents or performance issues, establish clear expectations for improvement, outline monitoring mechanisms, and specify consequences of non-compliance. The document is particularly relevant in cases where the employee has valuable skills or long service history, but has engaged in serious misconduct or demonstrated persistent performance issues that would otherwise warrant dismissal.
