In-house Employment Lawyer

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Comprehensive medical aid plan

Provident fund

Career growth & legal education access

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced In-house Employment Lawyer to join the HR and Legal teams in Bloemfontein. The role involves providing expert legal advice on all South African employment matters, managing complex employee relations, and ensuring compliance with labour legislation across the organisation.

You will work closely with HR, senior management and line managers to provide practical, commercially sound guidance and to shape employment practices within a major national retail group

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of South African labour law and industrial relations.
• Excellent drafting, advisory and advocacy skills.
• Strong HR principles and practices understanding.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert employment law advice across the organisation, including recruitment, contracts, disciplinary processes, performance management, and terminations.
• Draft, review, and update employment contracts, policies and procedures.
• Represent the company in labour disputes, including CCMA and Bargaining Council arbitrations and conciliations.
• Advise on interpretation and application of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act and other legislation.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, investigations and grievance procedures.
• Conduct training for HR and management on employment law compliance.
• Advise on restructurings and retrenchments.
• Ensure compliance with affirmative action and B-BBEE legislation.
• Liaise with external labour law advisors when needed.
• Stay updated on changes in employment law and best practices.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Drafting & advisory skills

Litigation & negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major national retail group, is seeking a dedicated and experienced In-house Employment Lawyer to join their Human Resources and Legal departments. This position is based in Bloemfontein, Free State , and requires the lawyer to provide expert legal advice on all employment law matters across the organization. The role involves managing complex employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with South African labor legislation, and developing proactive strategies to mitigate employment-related risks. The successful candidate will work closely with HR professionals, senior management, and line managers to provide practical and commercially sound legal guidance. This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer with a passion for employment law to make a significant impact within a dynamic and fast-paced industry. The role is essential for fostering a fair and productive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on all aspects of South African employment law, including recruitment, contracts, disciplinary processes, performance management, and terminations.
• Draft, review, and update employment contracts, policies, and procedures.
• Represent the company in labor disputes, including CCMA and Bargaining Council arbitrations and conciliations.
• Advise on the interpretation and application of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, investigations, and grievance procedures.
• Conduct training sessions for HR and management on employment law compliance.
• Advise on organizational restructuring and retrenchments.
• Ensure compliance with affirmative action and B-BBEE legislation.
• Manage relationships with external labor law advisors when necessary.
• Stay updated on changes in employment law and best practices.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-admission experience in employment law, either in private practice or in-house.
• In-depth knowledge of South African labor law and industrial relations.
• Proven experience representing employers in labor disputes and negotiations.
• Excellent drafting, advisory, and advocacy skills.
• Strong understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Ability to manage a high volume of complex casework.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive approach to risk management and problem-solving.
• Experience in the retail sector is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Benefits include a comprehensive medical aid plan and a provident fund.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development are provided, including access to continuous legal education and conferences.
• The role offers direct involvement in critical business decisions and the chance to shape the company's employment practices.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment is guaranteed, with the opportunity to work within a well-established organization located in Bloemfontein, Free State.