Small, informal, or owner-run businesses with less than a handful of employees.
General Questions
Even if you only employ one or two people-whether in a workshop, shop, or informal setting-you are still classified as an employer under South African labour law. That means you are responsible for:
- Providing a written contract of employment
- Registering for UIF
- Complying with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
The law doesn’t depend on the size of your business-it depends on whether someone works for you and earns a wage.
Start with a basic employment contract [download here], and speak to an organiser if you’re unsure how to apply the rules in your specific setting. [Find a regional organiser]
If a dispute arises-over wages, leave, hours, or dismissal-the lack of a contract puts you at a disadvantage. It becomes much harder to prove what was agreed upon, and the law generally favours the employee in the absence of written terms.
Even a simple, signed contract can save you time, money, and stress.
You can use our free starter template [download here] to get going, but we recommend reviewing it with an organiser to make sure it fits your situation. [Find a regional organiser]
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