, HRM2601
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1
Thandi Mokoena should consider a multi-faceted approach to accommodate employees with
family responsibilities, focusing on restructuring work arrangements in a way that benefits both the
employees and the business. This is not merely a matter of goodwill but is aligned with South
African labour law and progressive human resource practices. According to the Employment Equity
Act, employers are guided to provide an accessible, supportive and flexible environment for
employees with family responsibilities, which includes considering flexible working hours.
Furthermore, as noted by scholars in the field of employment law, accommodating these needs can
be seen as a form of reasonable accommodation to prevent unfair discrimination based on family
responsibility.
The primary recommendation is to introduce flexible scheduling and job-design arrangements.
Thandi should critically evaluate the necessity of the 07:00 start time and explore alternatives such
as staggered start times. For instance, a system could be introduced where some employees begin
their preparations earlier and finish earlier, while others, particularly those with school drop-off
duties, could start at 08:30 and stay later to complete the preparations. This approach directly
addresses the conflict between work and caregiving duties by offering employees a degree of
control over their work schedules, which is a proven strategy to enhance well-being and reduce
work-family conflict, as highlighted by various human resource management authors.
Implementing these flexible arrangements is also supported by broader labour guidelines which
recommend that employers accommodate workers' personal preferences for the scheduling of
their own free time, according to the Department of Labour's policy frameworks. Ultimately, such
accommodations have been shown to foster loyalty, reduce turnover, and improve overall
productivity, as noted by industrial psychology experts who study workplace motivation and
retention.
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1
Thandi Mokoena should consider a multi-faceted approach to accommodate employees with
family responsibilities, focusing on restructuring work arrangements in a way that benefits both the
employees and the business. This is not merely a matter of goodwill but is aligned with South
African labour law and progressive human resource practices. According to the Employment Equity
Act, employers are guided to provide an accessible, supportive and flexible environment for
employees with family responsibilities, which includes considering flexible working hours.
Furthermore, as noted by scholars in the field of employment law, accommodating these needs can
be seen as a form of reasonable accommodation to prevent unfair discrimination based on family
responsibility.
The primary recommendation is to introduce flexible scheduling and job-design arrangements.
Thandi should critically evaluate the necessity of the 07:00 start time and explore alternatives such
as staggered start times. For instance, a system could be introduced where some employees begin
their preparations earlier and finish earlier, while others, particularly those with school drop-off
duties, could start at 08:30 and stay later to complete the preparations. This approach directly
addresses the conflict between work and caregiving duties by offering employees a degree of
control over their work schedules, which is a proven strategy to enhance well-being and reduce
work-family conflict, as highlighted by various human resource management authors.
Implementing these flexible arrangements is also supported by broader labour guidelines which
recommend that employers accommodate workers' personal preferences for the scheduling of
their own free time, according to the Department of Labour's policy frameworks. Ultimately, such
accommodations have been shown to foster loyalty, reduce turnover, and improve overall
productivity, as noted by industrial psychology experts who study workplace motivation and
retention.
