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Friday, August 15, 2014

Friendly in the face of criticism

Friendly in the face of criticism

Thursday, August 14, 2014

New fines for contravening the EE Act:

Maximum permissible fines that may be imposed for contravening the act

 

Previous Contravention
Contravention of any Provision
of Sections 16 (read
with 17), 19, [20, 21,] 22, 24,
25, 26 and [23] 43(2)
Contravention of any
Provision of Sections
20, 21, 23 and 44(b)
 
Old Amount
New Amount
 
No previous contravention
R 500 000
R 1 500 000
The greater of
R 1 500 000 or 2% of
the employer’s turnover
A previous contravention in respect of the same provision
R 600 000
R 1 800 000
The greater of
R 1 800 000 or 4% of
the employer’s turnover
A previous contravention within the previous 12 months or two previous
contraventions in respect of the same provision within three years
R 700 000
R 2 100 000
The greater of
R 2 100 000 or 6% of
the employer’s turnover
Three previous contraventions
in respect of the same
provision within three years
R 800 000
R 2 400 000
The greater of
R 2 400 000 or 8% of
the employer’s turnover
Four previous contraventions
in respect of the same provision
within three years
R 900 000
R 2 700 000
The greater of
R 2 700 000 or 10% of
the employer’s turnover’’.

EE amendments

To all employers: a Handy Hint: We were informed yesterday that should your company be audited by DoL for EE purposes, the EE Manager and the EE Committee is entitled to sit in on any and all meetings and interviews that occur. This is law.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Defending the Cavewoman

I was fortunate enough to FINALLY go and watch Defending the Caveman on Wednesday evening. Did I laugh hard! What a funny performance and so true to life!

It did get me thinking though. Although we laugh hard at the punchlines, the scary part is how much we can all relate. To the stereotypes, to the fallacies and the myths and more than anything, the prejudice. Not just in the dynamics between the genders, but between the races, between the age groups, between the classes. How did it even start and where did it come from?

More to the point, will it ever end? I think although we laugh really easily at things of this nature, it is something that can go from a spark to a flame without any encouragement. Start off as a joke and end up in an argument. Or worse.

Does it not come from fear more than any other place? Fear of the unknown, of the unfamiliar. But then should it not spark curiosity, questioning, investigating? Why does it need to be quite so dogmatic in it's approach?

Makes one realise just HOW important those sessions on Diversity in the Workplace really are. Or Laughter Therapy. Or any activity that helps us see past our differences into our similarities.

Especially as we enter the month of Mandela, let us all put our differences aside, and be kind to one another.

Monday, June 2, 2014

10000 is a big number

Last Wednesday, 28 May, I graduated from the Goldman-Sachs GIBS 10000 Women Certificate Programme for Women Entrepeneurs. On top of this, I was asked to address my class, as one of two women chosen to speak. My 'boyfriend' has been telling me I need to start doing speaking for a year now. She is adamant that this is where my calling lies.

I know that the thought of speaking, before last Wednesday, was enough to reduce me to tears. The thought alone. At my 'boyfriend's' instruction I had looked into doing Toastmasters. LAST NOVEMBER. However, I had looked into it and so my conscience was quelled.

In the past few months, I have had so many signs from so many sources, encouraging me to speak. To share my gift, to share my passion and to share myself and my story, with others. So when Misha asked me to address our group, I knew I had no choice. 'Keep it a secret' she warned. So I sat down and feverishly attempted to write a sterling speech.

After dismally failing, on a plane back from Cape Town, I was flooded with the words. They found me.

When the day came, and I was called forward, I stood up, walked to the front (amidst cat calls of 'Benoniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I spoke. TO my fellow learners. From a place deep inside. And I LOVED IT and I absolutely killed it. Did everybody justice including my mom who happened to be my date for the grad.

A prouder moment I am not sure I have ever had. As I returned to my seat I had a colleague in front of me sobbing her eyes out and THANKING ME for what I said.

On Thursday morning I showed the girls in the office, and I had our Financial Manager crying too!

On Friday I met with another mentor for lunch, and she said to me that she can tell I am not following my true purpose and my true passion.

On Saturday night I met a complete stranger who told me that I need to share me and myself and my gift with the world, with her having no idea what that was or why she was even saying it.

And so today I say, I AM READY UNIVERSE. I am open and I am ready and I want to not just talk about changing the world, I want to be that change.

I am, after all, one of 10000 Women internationally to graduate the Goldman Sachs programme. I am, after all a child of God, as Marianne Williamson tells me. And as my 'boyfriend' constantly reminds me, WHO SAYS SO? Well Jen, I do. And I am ready!

Be kind to one another.

MONDAY MOTIVATION

As a woman, I think that the world losing Maya Angelou last week was a massive loss and I would like to remind all women, and all individuals out there of one of her greatest quotes for my Monday Motivation: "I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life." GO OUT THERE AND BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. Have a beautiful week ahead.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Freedom of choice

I am an avid follower of Les Brown and I appreciate the work he does and the words he speaks. I follow him on Facebook, and last week he posted something which spoke to my very core as a woman and as an adult human being. He wrote:


Are you living together or dying together? Reflect on this question - What is my relationship doing to me? Am I growing mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Is it nourishing or is it toxic? Does it bring out the best in me? Can I be myself? Take a good look in the mirror. Are you being true to yourself and real about what matters to you? Look in the mirror and face the truth about who you are, where you are and what you really want.
 
If you're in a positive, loving relationship, find more ways to create a richer,  connected life together. Continue to deepen the romance and see each other as the best thing that ever happened in your lives. Increase and enhance communication which is the key that unlocks the door to deeper intimacy. 

On the other hand, have you allowed yourself to put on a mask and pretend that everything is fine? Are you in a place where neither one of you wants to be the first to say goodbye? When you're alone, do you find yourself in places of quiet desperation? Whatever is going on in your personal relationship will show up in your professional performance. Make the choice to live your authentic self and live in a life that you love. You Deserve!
 
 
I think that this is just so poignant on how we allow ourselves to live our lives! In our work, in our families, in our friendships, and especially in our partnerships. Are you living together or are you dying together? My wish for you is that you are LIVING together and GROWING together.
 
Take care of one another.