Hi, I’m
Lwandile Wandi Hasheni
Summary
A highly experienced Senior Employee Relations (ER) Practitioner with a comprehensive and strategic understanding of Human Resources Management, business and industrial relations issues and organizational change. Able to devise and implement coherent ER strategies whilst improving internal processes and procedures within a demanding environment, project deadlines and budgets. Dedicated and compassionate Employee Relations Manager with a proven history of successful dispute resolution and collective bargaining expertise. Highly adept at helping settle employee complaints and allegations at minimal cost and inconvenience to employers. Sensitive counsellor and trainer of junior and senior employees in understanding Human Resources policies and procedures, labour legislation and interpretation of statutes.
Successful Executive with over 19 years of demonstrated ability in delivering mission-critical results. Offering outstanding communication and cross-cultural team management skills. Entrepreneurial attitude for optimal profitability. Ambitious team leader adept at creating strategic alliances with organizational leaders and effectively aligning with and supporting key business initiatives.
Overview
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Phaki Personnel Management Services
Employee Relations Executive
Job overview
- Develop the company’s Labour Relations Policy framework to provide a clear direction for the business.
- Provide guidance to Phaki Management on all labour related matters, performance management and organizational development.
- Develop the company’s disciplinary management framework and provide training to all managers and staff.
- Develop knowledge management systems and programs to raise awareness and training on pertinent labour legislation; LRA, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Skills Development Act and Employment Equity Act.
- Facilitate active policy reviews for the company to enhance effective policy development.
- Provide support to the Human Resources Department and other business units on policy issues and HR processes to empower line managers, Heads of Departments and employees.
- Facilitate active change management programs to enhance tolerance and effective diversity management.
- Develop and manage a workable stakeholder management system to ensure efficiency in dealing with both internal and external stakeholders
- Provide advisory service to the Managing Executives on all labour related processes
- Represent the company on all CCMA disputes and the Bargaining Council
Road Accident Fund
Senior Specialist – Employee Relations
Current
Job overview
- Develop the company’s labour relations policies and processes
- Manage all disciplinary processes for the Road Accident Fund and provide support to all business units.
- Provide training to members of staff and management on labour legislation, updates and amendments of the Labour Relations Act.
- Represent the company at the CCMA on all labour disputes.
- Provide advisory services to Heads of Departments on labour related matters and strategy.
- Manage and facilitate all worker-oriented programs, which includes but not limited to training on the Labour Relations Act, BCEA, EEA and Skills Development Act.
- Manage and coordinate all collective bargaining programs in the organization working with organized labour and its leadership.
- Training and development of staff on case management processes
Brand South Africa
HR Business Partner
Current
Job overview
- Develop the company’s labour relations policies and processes
- Manage all disciplinary processes for the organization and provide support to all business units.
- Provide training to members of staff and management on labour legislation, updates and amendments of the Labour Relations Act.
- Represent the company at the CCMA on all labour disputes.
- Provide advisory services to the Office of the CEO, EXCO and Heads of Departments on labour related matters and strategy.
- Manage and facilitate all worker-oriented programs, which includes but not limited to training on the Labour Relations Act, BCEA, EEA and Skills Development Act.
- Manage and coordinate all collective bargaining programs in the organization
- Manage and coordinate Brand South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety function and provide support to the Director: Corporate Services.
- Manage and develop employee wellness programs and assist in the implementation of policy for all Brand SA employees.
- Coordinate public policy updates with the Department of Public Service and Administration (PFMA, LRA, PSA, etc.)
Railway Safety Regulator
Manager- Employee Relations
05.2014 - 10.2019
Job overview
- Provide guidance to management and unionized employees on all labour related matters;
- Design and implement workable and effective labour relations processes and wellness programs for all business units in the RSR;
- Establish a fully functional employee relations unit and strategy within the framework of the labour legislation and the RSR ‘s policy framework;
- Design and implement a standard dispute management system to ensure order in the actual management and running of daily operations;
- Develop a labour relations policy and strategy for the Railway Safety Regulator;
- Provide an advisory and support service to Executives and Head of Departments on all matters related to labour legislation which includes Conflict Management, LRA, BCEA, and Dispute Management;
- Serve as Chief Advisor in the Office of the CEO on all labour related matters
- Represent the RSR on all arbitration and conciliation matters at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
- Manage all labour related matters and provide strategic support to the Corporate Affairs Executive and HR Executive on all matters of policy and human resources strategic management;
- Chairing disciplinary hearings and preparing outcomes and reports
- Chaired the Transformation and Compliance Committee with a mandate to lead the initiative, develop a transformation strategy and implement its recommendations.
- Chaired the RSR’s Employment Equity Forum entrusted with the responsibility and mandate to ensure the regulator complies with the Employment Equity legislation.
- Coordinate, monitor and implement worker empowerment programs targeted towards building effective worker-management relations i.e., Employment Equity Plan, Policy Workshops, Induction Programs, ER Training and Development.
- Acted as Executive Manager: Human Resources with full delegated authority to function as EXCO delegate providing oversight on the entire Human Resources Division.
- Manage and coordinate the RSR’s employee wellness processes and implement programs designed to assist in the wellness of employees in the organization.
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Retrenched
PRASA – METRORAIL
Employee Relations Specialist
10.2012 - 04.2013
Job overview
- Represent PRASA-METRORAIL on all conciliation and arbitration matters at the CCMA;
- Manage and coordinate all dispute resolution processes in all business units at PRASA WESTERN CAPE;
- Chairing disciplinary hearings and prepare outcomes and reports
- Establish a workable strategy in enhancing efficiency in the actual bargaining processes between PRASA management and organized labour;
- Facilitate training programs and policy workshops for line managers, supervisors and staff on policy issues and Basic Workplace Law, particularly on Disciplinary Processes, Grievance Handling, Conflict Management and Employment Equity Plan in line with Employment Equity Act, as amended;
- Provide guidance and advisory expertise to management on all labour related matters;
- Provide mediation expertise on all matters of dispute between the company management and organized labour;
- Negotiate better settlements and facilitate resolutions with the trade unions (SATAWU & UNTU) on matters of common interest to ensure a conducive environment suitable for industrial harmony.
- Establish alternative dispute resolution processes within a unionized organization
- Design and monitor workable collective bargaining mechanisms within the organization
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Contract expired
Futuris Guarding Systems (PTY) LTD
Industrial Relations Manager
06.2010 - 12.2011
Job overview
- Oversee and management of the HR and IR function in general with a staff compliment of 1700 security personnel.
- Managing training and development processes, induction and recruitment of guards.
- Strategic development of a workable human capital strategy for the company
- Represent the organization in all dispute mechanism processes both at the CCMA and Bargaining platforms, and chaired disciplinary hearings.
- Drive and monitor performance processes and conditions of work regulations for different regions within the ambit of the LRA.
- Develop and articulate an Industrial Relations strategy for the company.
- Execute generalist Human Resources tasks as required by the business which includes handling CCMA labour disputes, coordinate employee representative structures across business units to enhance sound labour relations and industrial harmony.
- Recruit relevant talent and design job portfolios and specifications.
- Prepare and craft detailed monthly reports for board members.
- Execution of planned projects with a particular focus to strategic business objectives.
- Provide expert advice on industrial relations issues within the framework of the Labour Relations Act, the BCEA, Wage Act, Employment Equity, Skills Development Act and other relevant labour legislation.
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Contract expired
GCNS COMMUNICATIONS (PTY) LTD
Human Resources Executive
09.2007 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Oversee and management of the HR function in general.
- Strategic development of a workable human capital strategy for the business.
- Represent the organization in all dispute mechanism processes both at the CCMA and Bargaining councils.
- Drive and monitor performance processes and conditions of work regulations for different companies within the ambit of the LRA.
- Develop and articulate a Human Resources strategy for different businesses.
- Execute generalist Human Resources tasks as required by the business which includes handling CCMA labour disputes, coordinate employee representative structures across business units to enhance sound labour relations and industrial harmony.
- Recruit relevant talent and design job portfolios and specifications.
- Prepare a detailed monthly report for board members.
- Execution of planned projects with a particular focus on strategic business objectives.
- Provide expert advice on industrial relations issues within the framework of the Labour Relations Act, the BCEA, Wage Act, Employment Equity, Skills Development Act and other relevant labour legislation.
- The organization is an IT TELECOMS company with a particular focus on bridging the technological divide between the rural and urban communities. GCNS provides services ranging from ADSL Installation, VPN NETWORKS, ISP Solutions, Network Configurations and Systems Administration.
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Fixed-term contract
Thomas Group
Employee Relations Manager
03.2006 - 08.2007
Job overview
- Manage all employee relations functions
- Advice management on periodic performance and salary review processes
- Provide monthly reports to the board members
- Manage employee relations trends and execute strategies
- Develop a work ethic for the organization in line with labour legislation
- Represent the organization on all dispute resolution mechanisms both at the CCMA and the Labour Court
- Provide sound labour relations advice to relevant business units
- Manage recruitment and selection processes
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Fixed-term contract
African Life
Sales Manager
02.2005 - 02.2006
Job overview
- Managing a team of 10 sales consultants
- Coaching consultants on quality sales presentations
- Training the sales and marketing staff on selling techniques
- Monitor sales trends and marketing aggression strategies
- Manage the recruitment and selection process
- Provide general leadership to the entire staff to ensure a smooth flow
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Resignation
Telkom SA
Industrial Relations Consultant
01.2001 - 09.2004
Job overview
- Managing all dispute processes within the company
- Act as an interface between all Telkom business units and the trade union
- Negotiate settlements of disputes with the trade union to ensure that both parties reach an amicable resolution
- Advice management on all disputes
- Formulate a workable strategy on the resolution of disputes mechanism
- Provide leadership on conflict resolution between the union and management
- Pioneer the implementation of company policies in line with the framework of the LRA and other labour legislation
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Retrenchment Package
International Colleges Group
Student Advisor
09.1998 - 11.2000
Job overview
- Organize educational workshop for staff on new courses and product knowledge in general
- Selling courses in different high school and workplaces
- Advise students on course selection and curriculum structure
- Assist in the actual marketing and advertising of products and services
- Coordinate campus visits and canvassing for sales
- REASONS FOR LEAVING: Got a better offer- career advancement
Education
University of Cape Town
BSocSc from Industrial Sociology/Relations, Public Affairs and Administration
01.1997
D. Mama High School
Matric
01.1991
Skills
MS Office
MS Publisher
MS PowerPoint
MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, Power-point
Affiliations
- Board Appointments: Believers Care Society, Director
- President: Agape Prosperity Program, Founder & Director
- Memberships: Temporary Workers Association of South Africa, Kingdom Prosperity Network, World Changers International, Partner
- Community Involvement Founder: Operation ‘Coca’ aimed at empowering young people with skills and expertise and also educates the community on issues of crime and violence prior to 2010 World Cup.
Timeline
Manager- Employee Relations
Railway Safety Regulator
05.2014 - 10.2019
Employee Relations Specialist
PRASA – METRORAIL
10.2012 - 04.2013
Industrial Relations Manager
Futuris Guarding Systems (PTY) LTD
06.2010 - 12.2011
Human Resources Executive
GCNS COMMUNICATIONS (PTY) LTD
09.2007 - 01.2010
Employee Relations Manager
Thomas Group
03.2006 - 08.2007
Sales Manager
African Life
02.2005 - 02.2006
Industrial Relations Consultant
Telkom SA
01.2001 - 09.2004
Student Advisor
International Colleges Group
09.1998 - 11.2000
Employee Relations Executive
Phaki Personnel Management Services
Senior Specialist – Employee Relations
Road Accident Fund
Current
HR Business Partner
Brand South Africa
Current
D. Mama High School
Matric
University of Cape Town
BSocSc from Industrial Sociology/Relations, Public Affairs and Administration
Career Highlights
- At Railway Safety Regulator started an Employee Relations Unit from scratch developing it to an effective employee relations machine which successfully secured a certificate of compliance by the SA Board of People Practices (SABPP).
- Successfully spearheaded the Transformation and Change Management initiative at the Railway Safety Regulator moving it from a predominantly racial oriented organization to an era of collective governance and transformation.
- At GCNS COMMUNICATIONS, have successfully managed a process of developing and implementing IR policies within a 6 months period.
- Successfully managed dispute resolution processes within Futuris Guarding Systems and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), a security company, cutting down settlement costs tremendously with about 60%.
- At PRASA, crafted a workable strategy dealing with trade union aggression (SATAWU & UNTU) thereby successfully facilitating a mutually beneficial bargaining system and approach between management and organized labour.
- At Futuris successfully held a planned strike by members of a trade union to a halt through negotiation skills and the application of labour legislation knowledge and expertise. Strike was planned for the 21st of Feb 2010 and was eventually withdrawn.
- 2006 at Thomas Group – Convincingly negotiated a settlement with trade union and eventually diffused a volatile strike action that would have threatened company profits.
- At RSR achieved 90% success rate on CCMA dispute resolution in a strongly unionized environment on a consistent 4-year scale.
- Successfully implemented a workable HR model for GCNS, meeting a 3 Months deadline.
ADDED RESPONSIBILITIES
- The organization availed an opportunity to explore my expertise on trade unions, particularly the challenges that come with a unionized environment. My enthusiasm in this area led me to secure a strategic position as a trade union official with the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union. This had strengthened my IR expertise in the following areas:
- Negotiations and persuasion skills
- Policy formulation and issue search
- Management and coordination of the workflow and labour relations
- Understand the dynamics of a unionized workforce in line with labour legislation
- Proper capturing of the concept of rights and privileges in the work environment and interpretation thereof
- Effective management and coordination of labour processes, transformation and change management in line with company aims and objectives
- Training and development of workers in line with the parameters of the Skills Development Act
References
- Bonga, Yam, Executive Manager: Corporate Services, 078 463 7850, Railway Safety Regulator
- Nonhlanhla, Dludla, Senior Manager: Employee Relations, 066 195 6487, 081 320 9152, RAF
- Krishnee, Kissoonduth, Director Corporate Services, 082 778 3537, BSA