NTEU - Rhodes University

21/11/2024

RU academic staff on the pension fund got a rude awakening recently with communication about the university contribution to the fund. Nteu is working on it in collaboration with staff.

25/09/2024

https://businesstech.co.za/news/business-opinion/791891/bad-manager-vs-workplace-bully-what-employees-need-to-know/

Employers in South Africa must recognise the difference between poor management and bullying.

17/09/2024

It is with both sadness and pride that we announce Dr. Shabnam Shaik’s departure from our Rhodes University NTEU Exec as she takes up an exciting new position at WITS University. We know that this was not an easy decision for her, as she has been deeply connected to RU throughout her academic and professional journey.

Dr. Shaik has been a dedicated member of the NTEU executive since 2018, showing unwavering commitment to our union. Her work as a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and her postdoctoral research as part of the SARCHI Chair for Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction have left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues alike.

Dr. Shaik has been a tenacious and inspiring union leader. Her critical thinking, coupled with her humanity and compassion, made her a formidable advocate for fairness and equity. She brought encouragement and strength to our NTEU team, always ready to take a stand while remaining deeply focused on the people she represented.

While we are sad to see her go, we are confident that Dr. Shaik will continue to shine and inspire wherever her path leads. We wish her every success at WITS and hope to cross paths with her again soon.

Thank you, Shabnam, for your tireless dedication and the light you've brought to Rhodes. You will be missed!

20/08/2024

20/08/2024: Being contacted by your managers while on leave.
Dear NTEU Members,

We’ve recently heard from some of our colleagues who are being repeatedly contacted by their managers while on leave. This is especially concerning when staff members are seriously ill or hospitalized, making it difficult or impossible for them to respond.

**Here’s What You Need to Know:**

When staff take leave, it’s based on a partnership between HR, management, and the employees themselves. This partnership is built on trust and mutual respect, ensuring that leave is requested and granted in a fair and transparent manner. While we acknowledge that there is no legal inhibition to an employer contacting an employee, it’s also expected that the institution will act as an ethical employer, fully adhering to legal requirements.

**Key Points on Contacting Employees on Leave:**

- **Right to Rest:** Employees are entitled to rest and recuperation during their leave. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) gives employees the right to take annual leave, sick leave, and other forms of leave. During this time, they generally should not be required to perform work duties.

- **Reasonableness and Necessity:** Contacting an employee on leave should only be done if absolutely necessary and reasonable. For example, if there’s an urgent matter that only the specific employee can resolve, reaching out might be justified. However, repeated or unnecessary contact is considered unreasonable and disruptive.

- **BCEA** According to Section 20(9) of the BCEA, employers may not require or permit employees to work during any part of their annual leave. Contacting an employee while they are on annual leave would be in breach of this act. Further, the LRA requires employers to treat employees fairly and prohibits unfair labor practices. Repeatedly contacting an employee on leave could be viewed as harassment or unfair treatment, particularly if it causes undue stress or interferes with their right to rest.

- **Constitutional Rights:** South African employees have a constitutional right to privacy and dignity. Repeated, unnecessary contact during leave may infringe on these rights, especially if it disrupts their personal time and well-being.

- **Impact on Work Relations:** Allowing staff to fully enjoy their leave is crucial for maintaining good work relations and overall morale. Repeated interruptions from managers during protected leave can lead to anxiety, resentment, and a breakdown in trust within the work team.

**For Our Line Managers:**

We kindly ask that you carefully consider the necessity before contacting staff members on leave, especially those on sick leave. Remember:

- **Respect Their Time:** Staff members are entitled to their rest and should not be expected to handle work tasks during their leave.

- **Avoid Unnecessary Contact:** If you must reach out, make sure it’s truly necessary. There are many valid reasons why an employee may not answer a call while on leave, such as being out of cellphone range, in the hospital, on medication, or simply needing rest.

**Exceptions:**

This does not apply to staff who are on standby, working from home, or those who haven’t properly arranged their leave. In such cases, Rhodes Policy does allow for necessary contact. Additionally, staff unable to work due to illness or injury must notify their line manager as soon as possible, usually within two hours of the start of their workday, unless their condition prevents them from doing so.

Let’s work together to ensure that our colleagues can take their leave without unnecessary disruptions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

For more information, see the following interesting articles:
https://bowmanslaw.com/insights/always-on-culture-is-no-excuse-to-bend-annual-leave-rules/ #:~:text=Working%20during%20annual%20leave%20is,in%20breach%20of%20the%20BCEA.

https://businesstech.co.za/news/internet/539018/this-country-has-banned-work-messages-after-hours-heres-what-south-africas-laws-say/

If your workday in Portugal is done, your managers aren’t allowed to email or call you. Except for emergencies.

23/07/2024

Dear NTEU Members,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the unexpected passing of our shop steward, Ryno van Rooyen. We deeply feel this loss, as Ryno was not only an exemplary shop steward but also a cherished colleague and friend.

During this difficult time, our thoughts are with Ryno's family, friends, and all who were close to him. We understand that this news is shocking and painful for many of us, and we encourage you to support one another with consideration as we navigate through this period of grief.

Despite this tragic loss, we want to reassure you that the NTEU remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting and representing each member. To ensure continuity and address any immediate concerns, the executive committee will collectively take on the responsibilities of the shop steward role. We are fully prepared to address any workplace issues and provide assistance as needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of the executive committee for support. More than ever, we must come together to uphold the principles and values Ryno championed with passion and dedication

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we will honour Ryno's memory and continue the important work he dedicated his life to.

sincerely NTEU Executive

23/07/2024

05/07/2024

Recently, the council issued a memo providing feedback on the Fincore system audit (see Toplist 25 June 2024).

Here is an excerpt about Fincore:

The internal auditors, Ernst and Young (EY), presented an audit report on the Fincore System to the council. The review aimed to determine whether Fincore was suitable as the University's financial system. The report was based on extensive feedback from a diverse group of users. EY informed the council that the system had superior functionality and was more efficient regarding financial controls compared to Protea. However, it was noted that there was significant frustration with the system and that some improvements were necessary. The following concerns were highlighted:

- Better management of user access rights.
- Reporting functionalities.
- System delays in cost allocations.
- Helpdesk capacity.
- Customized training.
- Appointment of a permanent system administrator.
- Processing of subsistence and expense claims.
- Design aspects of various system forms.
- Certain aspects of system security.

NTEU's response follows: The NTEU welcomes the auditors' report which has validated NTEU's position and the concerns raised by staff across the university including key leadership structures.

The issues listed above are widespread, affecting everything from training and support for end-users, right down to the fundamental design and security of the system. Reporting functionalities and processing of claims are basic and essential components of any financial system, yet Fincore reportedly struggles with these as well. We are certain that if the report had indicated Fincore was currently fit for purpose, Council's memo would have unambiguously said so. It is thus regrettable that the memo muddied the waters around what the outcome actually was. Despite the FNGP chair's assertion that the system is "fit for purpose," members are encouraged to form their own opinions after reading the original memo. NTEU would welcome the release of the auditors' report in full as a proactive step in transparent leadership.

It is also noteworthy that the 2023 Financials have been delayed without explanation. Given the past experiences of various university entities with Fincore's poor reporting functionalities, it is reasonable to suspect that Fincore may be a contributing factor. It would have been beneficial if the council's report had clearly stated whether Fincore was implicated. Nevertheless, it is extremely concerning that RU's financials are delayed at a time when we are in financial distress. This too undermines our faith in university leadership.

Additionally, although the memo contains notices or reports received, it lacks details about actual deliberations, decisions, or explanations. Further clarification from the council is needed. A system with this many problems more than two years after its implementation does not inspire confidence. If the system is as effective and efficient as claimed, responsibility for the continued issues, evident since the pilot stage, must be ensured. The decisive leadership needed for this situation appears lacking. According to the King Code, delegation of responsibilities does not absolve the governing body of its accountability. The council must collectively evaluate the information, opinions, recommendations, reports, and statements presented to it. Those decisions and reasons for them must, according to the King Code IV, be communicated. The memo received does not meet this bar.

Overall, there is a poor impression of our financial management: RU financials are delayed, the financial system lacks basic capabilities, continues to incur significant costs, and will require substantial additional investment to become fully effective. The council has not communicated its decisions or demonstrated adequate leadership.

We urge the council to adhere to the King IV standards it has publicly endorsed: make public its decisions and explanations, identify accountable parties and explain how they will be held accountable. Make the auditor's report available to unions, Senate, and Faculties. Provide a transparent budget for addressing the deficiencies in Fincore, including the costs of additional Oracle patches and upgrades, and of employing and assigning staff to roles such as system administrators and helpdesk and the cost of providing customized training.

As a university, we aim to collaborate and utilize the substantial experience and capability of staff in resolving this issue and achieving our collective vision. We, as stakeholders, are essential in building our university.

For those interested in the King IV governance principles, please start here: [King IV Governance Principles](https://www.pwc.co.za/en/publications/king4.html)

18/06/2024

As we head into the annual wage negotiations, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who provided their input. Your voices are invaluable, and we truly appreciate your contributions. This year, we anticipate tough negotiations reflecting the stiff financial constraints university workers are under. Rest assured, we will strive to secure the best possible outcomes for all our members.

While wage negotiations are crucial, we'd like to remind you that the union's work continues all year round, often behind the scenes. We are constantly advocating for your rights, ensuring fair treatment, and addressing workplace issues that might not always be visible.

We encourage you to get involved. Even if you might not feel the need for a union personally, there is always someone who does. Union membership is more than just individual protection—it's about standing in solidarity for the good of all. By being a member, you help create a stronger, more united workforce that can effectively address and resolve workplace challenges.

10/06/2024

RU Staff Workplace Survey 2024: NTEU has sent out a questionnaire to poll all RU staff about various aspects of our workplace. It is open to ALL staff (not just NTEU members). Please check your email and forward to all staff members in your networks.

04/06/2024

Dear NTEU Members, (Forwarded from Rhodes Communication and Advancement)

One of the most wide-spread tools used by corporations in an attempt to facilitate whistleblowing are confidential Fraud Hotlines. A number of fraud surveys conducted in various countries over the years have indicated the value of anonymous reporting mechanisms as a means for detecting unethical behaviour in the workplace.

In light of this fact, Rhodes University provides employees and students with a number of confidential mediums to report any form of unethical practice, including sexual harassment and racial discrimination, in an anonymous and secure manner.

The KPMG FairCall call centre is located at an undisclosed location and reports can be made anonymously in any of the 11 official South African languages. French, Japanese, Mandarin and Cantonese are supported 24/7/365. Dutch, German and Portuguese are supported during core business hours (CAT).

Please see below the Fraud Hotline process and an FAQ attachment for further information.



To contact KPMG FairCall, please follow the steps as set out below:

Dial 0800 737 678 toll-free from any Telkom landline within the borders of South Africa, to report any unethical conduct at Rhodes University. Calls made from cellular telephones will be charged at standard service provider rates.

1. The call centre is manned on a 24-hour basis. Employees who are afraid to be overheard using telephones in the office may call from home after-hours.

2 . You may remain anonymous. Provide full detail in respect of the fraudulent, corrupt or unethical practice to the call operator. Such details may include:

- Who is involved or doing what?

- What has happened?

- How is it done and how often is it done?

- Where is it done – exact location or place?

- When was the incident observed, dates and times

- Value involved – estimated monetary value?

3 . You will be given a reference number. Keep this confidential as you will need this number if you make a follow up call (call at a later date to add additional information to the original report) or to request feedback on the original call.

Alternative reporting avenues:

1. Hotline reports may be faxed to the following number: 0800 200 796 within the borders of SA. Should you wish to use this method, please include as much detail as possible including that the report is in respect of Rhodes University. It is also important to contact the call centre for a reference number which must be included in the faxed report.

2. Hotline reports may be posted using the following address:

KPMG Hotpost
PO Box 14671
Sinoville
Pretoria
SOUTH AFRICA
0129

Please contact the call centre for a reference number which must appear on the report.

3. Hotline reports may be e-mailed to [email protected]

Please contact the call centre for a reference number which must appear on the report.

4. Hotline reports may be submitted via the web by accessing the following URL: www.thornhill.co.za/kpmgfaircallreport

Please contact the call centre for a reference number which must appear on the report.

ISSUED BY THE DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION AND ADVANCEMENT ON BEHALF OF RHODES UNIVERSITY

4.5 Please provide a detailed description of the incident. Provide as much detail as you are able to, using times, dates, places and names whenever possible. Indicate WHO did it? WHAT did the person do? WHERE did the person do it? WHEN did the person do it? HOW did the person do it? Please note that...

30/05/2024

Execusplaining – dodging the real issues with excuses and half-truths. The dangers are great: the real risk of infantilising the very people you are hoping to inspire to help you take the company to new heights.

One of the most difficult tasks for any leader is effective communication. It is vital to get your message across to everyone in the company – or country – in a way that encourages agreement, acceptance of the task and a commitment from the person hearing it to contribute. While consensus is rare and much has to be carried out by majority acceptance, or even executive decisions, understanding is vital – and hard.

None of us should need reminding of the perils of mansplaining, but many of us missed the memo on execusplaining – dodging the real issues with excuses and half-truths.

29/05/2024

29 May 2024: Congratulations to all NTEU members and South Africans who exercise their vote for the candidates and parties of their choice on this important day.

Aside from voting itself, Voting Day is a celebration of our hard won freedoms and democratic values, and a reminder that our individual contributions and choices are important.