Back to: Introduction to the Labour Relations Act (LRA)
10.2 Guidelines for Constitution of Workplace Forums
The Labour Relations Act provides detailed guidelines for the constitution of workplace forums. These guidelines are intended to ensure that workplace forums are established and operate in a democratic and effective manner.
A workplace forum’s constitution must include provisions for the election of representatives, the frequency and conduct of meetings, decision-making processes, and procedures for resolving disputes within the forum. The Act requires that workplace forums be representative of the workforce and that all employees, regardless of their union affiliation, have the opportunity to participate in the election of representatives.
The guidelines also stipulate that the number of representatives on the workplace forum should be proportionate to the size of the workforce, ensuring fair representation for all employee groups. Representatives should be elected by secret ballot to promote transparency and fairness in the election process.
The constitution must also outline the roles and responsibilities of the workplace forum and its representatives. These include consulting with the employer on matters affecting the workplace, promoting the interests of employees, and fostering a cooperative and constructive relationship between employees and employers.
By following these guidelines, workplace forums can effectively represent employees’ interests and contribute to improved labour relations and workplace conditions.