A Case study of diversity and equity interventions in a South African organization

Abstract

Widespread reform has taken place in the labour sector since 1994. The government has introduced new legislation affecting labour relations, basic conditions of employment and employment equity, providing the basis for far-reaching changes in South African employment practices. The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration and the Labour Court, as well as other structures set up to monitor labour standards, provide the means for unfair labour practices to be challenged and rectified. It is now compulsory for companies to demonstrate progress in diversifying the workplace in such a way that previously excluded groups are now fully represented, and promoted. It is a known fact that most organizations in South Africa are experiencing a change in the demographic representation of their employees. This has led to activities that are being undertaken by these organizations to manage this diversity. Thus far there is no known documentation of the best practices that successful organizations have implemented on the subject in a South African context. The present research is part of a larger effort to investigate diversity and equity interventions in South African organizations and contribute to a broader research project that will have a total sample of 15 case studies. Funding for the research is provided by SANPAD (South African-Netherlands Partnership for Alternatives in Development). The research is a collaborative effort carriedout by three South African universities namely, the University of South Africa, the University of Cape Town and the University of kwaZulu-Natal. This implies that the conclusions and recommendations that are made in this report will only form part of the bigger project.