Bongani Mbali

• Provide expert resource for management and resolution of conflict.
• Position Eskom strategically to proactively respond to internal and labour and people relations developments.
• Manage industrial relations processes, termination and subsequent remedies such as settlements, litigation and arbitrations in labour law and employment matters
• Support effective functioning of Eskom's negotiation and participative structures
• Ensure compliance with collective agreements
• Support maintenance of productive relationships between management, labour, and employees
• Maintain and Implement Eskom's management and employee engagement model
• Ensure HR Compliance during business restructuring and transformation
• Conducting specialist training, research, and benchmarking in all aspects of people relations field.

Legal Business Partner for Corporate Human Resources, Generation, Group Capital and on Pension matters

• Rendered employment law advisory services to Divisions, subsidiaries and Corporate at strategic, tactical, and operational level.
• Managed general dispute resolution and providing general negotiation assistance
• Identified and recommended amendments needed to organization's procedures/regulations to reflect developing case law and effective practice elsewhere, and to improve efficiency, fairness, clarity etc of Eskom's disciplinary and regulatory arrangements
• Advised on implementation of relevant legislation, case law, statutory instruments, codes of practice and corporate policies relevant to Employment Law
• Formulated legal opinions in consultation with external legal experts
• Manage external legal service providers.

• Provided subject matter expertise on labour and employment law to ensure labour law practices across the group are compliant with labour and employment laws, case law and regulations
• Rendered employment law advisory services to subsidiaries, Business Units and Corporate at strategic, tactical, and operational level
• Partnered with key stakeholders (HRBPs, unions and line management) and provide basic training for conflict management and problem-solving strategize
• Provide advice and formulate legal opinions in consultation with external legal experts
• Managed termination and subsequent remedies such as settlements, amendments, litigation and arbitrations in labour law and employment matters
• Drafted policies related to labour law, disciplinary steps and conduct of disciplinary hearings on misconduct, incapacity, operational requirements, and unfair labour practices, as well as other labour law-related arrangements
• Implemented and maintained provision of Employee Relations services; (CCMA representation, legal compliance, union negotiations, training of line management and HRBPs, conflict management) to support organization in delivering sustainable business performance through engaged employees
• Provided legal advice on employment contracts, conditions of employment on collective/ individual labour law elements, labour relations, application/ implementation of case law.
• Represented employer in complex employment related disputes resolution process
• Led legal dispute resolution process in the CCMA or Labour Court by preparing for litigation, obtaining approval from relevant executives, appointing, and consulting with external legal counsel and managing legal spend within planned parameters
• Supported group company teams with ad hoc requests, including investigation of legislations and regulations, as well as draft necessary processes or documentation to achieve compliance.
• Managed team of 4 HR professionals responsible for overseeing various aspects of employee relations across the organization.
• Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
• Answered management and employee questions, interpreted contracts and resolved issues.
• Enhanced employee satisfaction by implementing effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
• Promoted harmonious working climate to boost morale and productivity.
• Advised executive leadership on changes in employment law that could impact organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintained current knowledge of industry regulations and legislation to amend policies and promote compliance.
• Evaluated existing policies and procedures, making necessary revisions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Devised robust training programs to strengthen investigatory skills, legal understanding, and motivational strategies.
• Implemented team feedback to recommend corrective action to senior leadership.
• Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
• Championed importance of employee engagement, leading to increased job satisfaction and improved retention rates.
• Updated training processes by reviewing existing documentation, leveraging feedback from associates and working with legal and compliance teams.
• Conducted regular audits of HR practices to identify areas requiring improvement or enhanced compliance measures.
• Served as trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing guidance on complex employee relations issues and potential risks.
• Improved employee performance through development of targeted performance management systems and regular feedback sessions.
• Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
• Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
• Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
• Negotiated favorable outcomes in union grievances while maintaining productive labor-management relationships.
• Collaborated with legal counsel to mitigate potential liabilities related to employment matters, including terminations, discipline, and disputes.
• Educated managers on best practices related to employee coaching, counseling, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
• Developed strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to address organizational needs and priorities effectively.
• Promoted diversity and inclusion within workplace by initiating company-wide training programs and awareness campaigns.
• Facilitated internal investigations into alleged misconduct, ensuring thorough documentation and appropriate corrective action when necessary.
• Instructed senior leaders on appropriate employee corrective steps.
• Leveraged team exercises, group discussions and videos to instruct participants.
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
• Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
• Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
• Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
• Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.

• Served in Mediation and Collective Bargaining Management Team
• Represented Government as stakeholder in Labour Market Chamber of NEDLAC
• Promoted and facilitated improved collective bargaining to promote labour market support and stability
• Promoted and supported mediation processes
• Promoted and supported Dispute Management and Prevention processes
• Provided strategic leadership, management, and administration support to regions.
• Presided over high-profile and politically and economically sensitive large-scale retrenchment cases
• Ensured quality control and reporting functions, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Revitalized advice and support for; and modified capacity building of commissioners to effectively implement employment security strategy and dispute prevention
• Managed and monitored budget variance
• Enhanced and consolidated information support and research for Commissioners
• Developed and implemented Early Warning Systems (EWS) and post retrenchment assistance program
• Informed 'front line', practical support to the Dispute Management & Prevention (DMP) at national and regional level, both in terms of technical and project management support
• Accountable for the implementation of specific DM&P projects, including new initiatives
• Ensured national delivery and consistent maintenance of standards and SOPs across all CCMA regions
• Fostered strategic relationships with key partners
• Conducted sectoral interventions in mining and agriculture sectors
• Supervised SABC/CCMA Awareness Raising Campaign project.

• Functioned as subject matter expert and Senior Consultant to employer organizations and individual employers
• Provided dispute resolution services to Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) and General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC)
• Presided over and represented clients in disciplinary hearings, conciliations, mediation, and arbitration processes
• Facilitated disputes of mutual interest
• Facilitated training and capacity-building initiatives
• Facilitated large-scale retrenchments
• Provided strategic labour law management support, Human Resources Business partner role and transformation change management assignments to clients.
• Supported and advised on delivery assurance practices and conducted periodic project reviews and audits
• Helped clients to overcome blockages that covertly cause conflict, and to unlock their team's creativity and other untapped potential
• Monitored service delivery and maintained accurate and timely project reporting on contracted projects
• Ensured quality control and reporting functions, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

Served as Legal Counsel to Executive Management Team

• Consulted and managed all corporate legal processes (intellectual property, mergers & acquisitions, compliance issues, transactions, and agreements)
• Provided legal advice, interpretation, and guidance to senior management and executive deans, and officers regarding contracts, regulatory framework, and other university matters
• Provided leadership to Managers of Student Affairs, Contract Management, and Industrial Relations
• Researched, monitored, anticipated, and guarded university's entities against legal risks
• Developed strategic plan, business plan, and action plan
• Developed and monitored budgets
• Negotiated, vetted, and drafted services contracts (external legal firms, security, cleaning, etc)
• Negotiated and drafted Service level agreements with users and service providers
• Negotiated, drafted, and vetted employment contracts, collective bargaining, and settlement agreement
• Participated in pre-tender and/or tender evaluation process meetings
• Provided expert advice and recommendations on merger negotiations with Rhodes University and Department of Higher Education
• Facilitated and advised in conflict in leadership team and made recommendations
• Provided expert advice for proper control and methodology of contractual change notice to contract revision
• Appointed and managed external legal service providers
• Managed litigation and represented institution at external judicial bodies
• Participated in corporate affairs, and corporate governance, and functioned as legal watch
• Reviewed legal documentation and provided advice on appropriate action
• Coordinated legal matters requiring external legal assistance
• Functioned as counsel on issues involving university compliance with moderately complex governmental and regulatory standards
• Assisted in negotiation of commercial transactions and drafted all agreements
• Provided input in development of internal control policies, processes, and procedures in line with any relevant legislation and best practices
• Represented University in all employment litigation matters
• Managed relationship with senior management stakeholder to define and deliver employee relations support services within institution
• Provided advice to corporate leadership team on proposed organizational structure changes; communications to business; strategic insight on people strategy and management
• Managed resolution of employee relations issues consulted with appropriate resources on identified risks and proposed appropriate approaches for resolution
• Identified trends and undertaken leadership briefing sessions on same
• Ensured that employment relations updates are in broader policies and procedures impacted by changes
• Reviewed and settled updates to company policies and templates and socialized it in organization
• Facilitated achievement of organizational objectives whilst maintaining good people principles
• Driven innovation, change and implementation of ER practices to improve organizational results
• Identified and managed potential risks and ensured that risk mitigation recommendations are effectively implemented.

• Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
• Collaborated with HR teams to develop comprehensive onboarding programs that helped new hires acclimate quickly to organizational culture.
• Conducted thorough investigations of employee activities to identify and target operational and behavioral discrepancies.
• Promoted employee welfare by maintaining proper protocols throughout investigations and disciplinary procedures.
• Spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving manager-employee communications, fostering greater trust between team members across organization.
• Supported employees during times of change or restructuring through transparent communication efforts, leading to improved morale during transitions.
• Monitored and enforced company policies and procedures to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Evaluated and updated company policies regularly to ensure compliance with changes in labor laws or industry best practices.