CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH TELEWORKING WITHIN
THE FRAMEWORK OF SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT LAW
By
NEO BRIDGET ZWANE
(62314459)
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
BACHELOR OF LAWS
in the
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL AND PROCEDURAL LAW
SCHOOL OF LAW
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
SUPERVISOR: MR LC COETZEE
RRLLB81 FINAL PORTFOLIO
(31 OCTOBER 2022)
1
, ACADEMIC HONESTY DECLARATION
1. I understand what academic dishonesty entails and I am aware of
Unisa’s policies in this regard.
2. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I have
used someone else’s work. I have indicated this by using the
prescribed style of referencing. Every contribution to, and quotation in,
this assignment from the work or works of other people has been
referenced according to the prescribed style.
3. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the
intention of passing it off as his or her own work.
4. I did not make use of another student’s work and submit it as my own.
NAME: NEO BRIDGET ZWANE
SIGNATURE: N.B ZWANE
STUDENT NUMBER: 62314459
MODULE CODE: RRLLB81
DATE: 31 OCTOBER 2022
TOPIC SELECTED: TELEWORKING UNDER SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT
LAW
MARK RECEIVED FOR ASSIGNMENT 1: 70%
MARK RECEIVED FOR ASSIGNMENT 2: 46%
2
, ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 virus brought unprecedented changes to the world of work. Countries
had to enforce lockdown measures and social distancing policies to save lives; this
changed working arrangements across sectors and organisations. Workers had to
work from home, a way of life some had never experienced or were prepared for.
Teleworking is not new; undoubtedly, in South Africa many have entered the most
unusual working arrangement of this generation. The aim of this paper is to discuss
the challenges associated with teleworking within the framework of South African
labour law. It is also aimed at analysing the legal position of teleworking and a
teleworking employee. Challenges identified included longer working hours, lack of
training opportunities, difficulty in balancing work and life. Teleworking is not
regulated by any legislation. The motivation behind this paper is to illustrate to
legislators the gap or importance of drafting laws that will regulate teleworking.
KEYWORDS
Teleworking
Employees
Employers
Labour law
Challenges
Home
Workplace
3
THE FRAMEWORK OF SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT LAW
By
NEO BRIDGET ZWANE
(62314459)
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
BACHELOR OF LAWS
in the
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL AND PROCEDURAL LAW
SCHOOL OF LAW
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
SUPERVISOR: MR LC COETZEE
RRLLB81 FINAL PORTFOLIO
(31 OCTOBER 2022)
1
, ACADEMIC HONESTY DECLARATION
1. I understand what academic dishonesty entails and I am aware of
Unisa’s policies in this regard.
2. I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I have
used someone else’s work. I have indicated this by using the
prescribed style of referencing. Every contribution to, and quotation in,
this assignment from the work or works of other people has been
referenced according to the prescribed style.
3. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the
intention of passing it off as his or her own work.
4. I did not make use of another student’s work and submit it as my own.
NAME: NEO BRIDGET ZWANE
SIGNATURE: N.B ZWANE
STUDENT NUMBER: 62314459
MODULE CODE: RRLLB81
DATE: 31 OCTOBER 2022
TOPIC SELECTED: TELEWORKING UNDER SOUTH AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT
LAW
MARK RECEIVED FOR ASSIGNMENT 1: 70%
MARK RECEIVED FOR ASSIGNMENT 2: 46%
2
, ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 virus brought unprecedented changes to the world of work. Countries
had to enforce lockdown measures and social distancing policies to save lives; this
changed working arrangements across sectors and organisations. Workers had to
work from home, a way of life some had never experienced or were prepared for.
Teleworking is not new; undoubtedly, in South Africa many have entered the most
unusual working arrangement of this generation. The aim of this paper is to discuss
the challenges associated with teleworking within the framework of South African
labour law. It is also aimed at analysing the legal position of teleworking and a
teleworking employee. Challenges identified included longer working hours, lack of
training opportunities, difficulty in balancing work and life. Teleworking is not
regulated by any legislation. The motivation behind this paper is to illustrate to
legislators the gap or importance of drafting laws that will regulate teleworking.
KEYWORDS
Teleworking
Employees
Employers
Labour law
Challenges
Home
Workplace
3
