PUB3701
Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 23 October 2026
Introduction
Restructuring becomes difficult when an organisation must reduce costs while
protecting important services and dealing with the concerns of employees. In the
public sector, managers must also consider the people who rely on those services.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, known as the SABC, is a useful
example because its restructuring raised questions about employment, consultation
and the continued delivery of public broadcasting. Resistance did not only concern
employees refusing a decision. It also reflected uncertainty about work, the process
followed and the impact on radio, television and news production. Managing these
issues requires planning, communication, leadership and proper control of change
activities (PUB3701 Study guide, 2021, pp. 122–129).
1. Reasons for employee and stakeholder resistance to change
, Introduction
Restructuring becomes difficult when an organisation must reduce costs while
protecting important services and dealing with the concerns of employees. In the
public sector, managers must also consider the people who rely on those services.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, known as the SABC, is a useful
example because its restructuring raised questions about employment, consultation
and the continued delivery of public broadcasting. Resistance did not only concern
employees refusing a decision. It also reflected uncertainty about work, the process
followed and the impact on radio, television and news production. Managing these
issues requires planning, communication, leadership and proper control of change
activities (PUB3701 Study guide, 2021, pp. 122–129).
1. Reasons for employee and stakeholder resistance to change
1.1 Organisational circumstances
The SABC faced pressure to change the way it operated because its costs and
financial position had become difficult to sustain. In 2020 the organisation started a
consultation process under section 189 of the Labour Relations Act as part of its
restructuring. Employees were therefore concerned not only about a new structure
but also about the possibility that their posts would disappear. This was a major
change because broadcasting depends on journalists, producers, presenters,
technical workers and administration working together every day. The SABC later
reported that its retrenchment process had been concluded and that a new structure
would begin operating in 2021 (South African Broadcasting Corporation, 2021). A
management decision that seems necessary on financial grounds can still face
strong opposition when employees carry the direct cost of that decision. The change
was therefore both a financial decision and a matter affecting people and their future
work.
1.2 Fears about employment and household income
Employees were likely to resist restructuring because losing employment could
remove the main source of income for their families. A worker who has spent many
years at one organisation may struggle to find another post that pays the same
Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 23 October 2026
Introduction
Restructuring becomes difficult when an organisation must reduce costs while
protecting important services and dealing with the concerns of employees. In the
public sector, managers must also consider the people who rely on those services.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, known as the SABC, is a useful
example because its restructuring raised questions about employment, consultation
and the continued delivery of public broadcasting. Resistance did not only concern
employees refusing a decision. It also reflected uncertainty about work, the process
followed and the impact on radio, television and news production. Managing these
issues requires planning, communication, leadership and proper control of change
activities (PUB3701 Study guide, 2021, pp. 122–129).
1. Reasons for employee and stakeholder resistance to change
, Introduction
Restructuring becomes difficult when an organisation must reduce costs while
protecting important services and dealing with the concerns of employees. In the
public sector, managers must also consider the people who rely on those services.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, known as the SABC, is a useful
example because its restructuring raised questions about employment, consultation
and the continued delivery of public broadcasting. Resistance did not only concern
employees refusing a decision. It also reflected uncertainty about work, the process
followed and the impact on radio, television and news production. Managing these
issues requires planning, communication, leadership and proper control of change
activities (PUB3701 Study guide, 2021, pp. 122–129).
1. Reasons for employee and stakeholder resistance to change
1.1 Organisational circumstances
The SABC faced pressure to change the way it operated because its costs and
financial position had become difficult to sustain. In 2020 the organisation started a
consultation process under section 189 of the Labour Relations Act as part of its
restructuring. Employees were therefore concerned not only about a new structure
but also about the possibility that their posts would disappear. This was a major
change because broadcasting depends on journalists, producers, presenters,
technical workers and administration working together every day. The SABC later
reported that its retrenchment process had been concluded and that a new structure
would begin operating in 2021 (South African Broadcasting Corporation, 2021). A
management decision that seems necessary on financial grounds can still face
strong opposition when employees carry the direct cost of that decision. The change
was therefore both a financial decision and a matter affecting people and their future
work.
1.2 Fears about employment and household income
Employees were likely to resist restructuring because losing employment could
remove the main source of income for their families. A worker who has spent many
years at one organisation may struggle to find another post that pays the same
