Thuso Solly Mpolaise
Manager: Employee Relations
Pretoria
Summary
Management professional with focus on strategic leadership and operational efficiency. Known for driving impactful initiatives and fostering collaborative work environment. Reliable team player with strong adaptability to changing business needs and priorities.
Insightful Manager with experience directing and improving operations through effective employee motivational strategies and strong policy enforcement. Proficient in best practices, market trends and regulatory requirements of industry operations. Talented leader with analytical approach to business planning and day-to-day problem-solving.
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
1
1
Language
16
16
Certifications
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager/Director: Employee Relations
Sefako Makgato Health Science University: MEDUNSA
06.2019 - Current
- Delivered holistic employment relations solutions that increased effectiveness of SMU and facilitated the engagement of employees to empower the university to achieve its objectives, that actively contributed to a harmonious working environment
- Chaired number of Disciplinary Cases within the University.
- Actively supported the University strategy in the achievement of its people management strategic objectives and overall HR policy framework
- Contributed to Transformation Management Agenda for the University
- Provided advisory service to line management through coaching and providing tools to effectively manage employment relations, including disciplinary and grievance matters
- Identified capacity development needs of line managers and HR Practitioners, and presented training interventions aimed at developing their capacity
- Developed, implemented and continuous maintenance of effective case management system which included all disciplinary cases, grievances and CCMA/Labour Court cases
- Representative of the University at the CCMA for Conciliations and Arbitrations
- Liaise with University appointed attorneys on cases before relevant courts
- Developed an effective stakeholder management strategy plan in supporting Executive Management of the University
Specialist: Industrial Relations and Transformation
(NRCS) National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
08.2013 - 06.2018
- Formulated and implemented Employee Relations strategy for the Organisation
- Developed strategic solutions for effective management of employee relations and wellness in the workplace
- Operationalise the HR Strategic Plan in the Employee Relation and Transformations division
- Drafted collective agreements, policies and procedures within the Organisations
- A key stakeholder in a collective bargaining and/or consultation with unions on behalf of the Company
- Provided support to the organizations through participation in various committees/structures in the organizations
- Build and maintain sound working relationships with labour, employees, line management and relevant stakeholders
- Conducted Investigations/research and evaluation of complaints lodged by employees
- Facilitated and assisted employees with conflict resolution mechanisms
- Resolved disputes within the organizations some relating to grievances and disciplines
- Dealt with strikes during wage negotiations
- Chaired and facilitated forums/ meetings between line management and labour
- Researched and monitored legislation and case law in the field of labour relations
Senior Investigator :( Deputy Director/Level 12)
MILITARY OMBUDS
05.2013 - 07.2013
- Compilation of an Investigation Plan
- Conducting of Investigations
- Formulation of findings, Resolutions and Reports for the Military Ombudsman
- Training and Mentoring of Investigators
- Providing inputs to investigations and procedures
- Ensuring standardisation and quality of investigation
- Management of Investigation process and referred complaints.
- Ensuring the standardisation and quality of investigations and reporting
- Consulting: Sols IR
Manager: Industrial Relations and Wellness
ARMSCOR (Armaments Corporation of South Africa)
10.2008 - 06.2012
- Developed strategic solutions for effective management of employee relations and wellness in the workplace
- Operationalise the HR Strategic Plan in the Employee Relation and Wellness division
- Represented the ARMSCOR at external industrial relations bodies at CCMA
- Management of disputes, disciplinary processes, grievance, appeals and suspensions
- Developed and managed support platforms for AA and EE initiatives.
- Managed and monitored Employee Assistant programmes.
- Led Management in interaction with trade unions and other employee representative bodies
- Dealt with Transformation Management forum for ARMSCOR
Employment Relations and Human Resources Development
ANGLOPLATINUM
04.2007 - 10.2008
- Coordination of Employee Relations engagement initiatives.
- Ensure sound labour relations with all stake holders.
- Advice managers on employment relations matters.
- Handling of disciplinary hearing, grievance
- Represent the organization at disputes resolutions (CCMA)
- Training and Development
- Facilitated different training interventions:
- Leadership and Change Management
- Conflict and Discipline Management
- Assertive Courses
- Situational Leadership
- Disciplinary and Initiation Training
- Management Principles
Education
Bachelor of Science - Labour Law
University of Johannesburg
Gauteng 04.2001 -
Certificate - Advance Labour Relations Management
University of Pretoria
Diploma - Labour Law
Graduate Institute of Management and Technology
Diploma - Public Management
Tshwane University of Technology
Advance Diploma - Project Management
Cranefield College of Project Management
Certificate - Advance Alternative Dispute Resolutions
Pretoria University and Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa
Subject Passed - Advance Management Development Program (AMDP)
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Programme - Executive Leadership Programme
WITS UNIVERSITY
Programme - Certified Ethics Officer
The Ethics Institute
Skills
Staff training and development
Policy implementation
Team leadership
Employee onboarding
Conflict resolution
Policy and procedure development
Project management
Performance management
Negotiation
Financial management
Change management
Stakeholder management
Disciplinary techniques
Team building
Accomplishments
- Achieved results by introducing collaborative stakeholder engagements within the workplace, management, Unions and other critical role players.
- Supervised team of 12 staff members in introduction and implementation a new performance and evaluation system for the organization effectively within the budgets line.
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute
- Society of Human Resource Management
Certification
Angloplatinum (ADC):
Positions regularly acted on before
- General Manager: Human Resources Management
- Senior Manager: Employee Relations
Professional Registration/Accreditations
- SABPP: Practitioner Employment Relations.
- AFSA: Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator: Disputes Resolutions
- ETHICS INSTITUTE: Certified Ethics Officer (EO: 1661)
- ETDP SETA: Accredited Skills Development Facilitator
- ETDP SETA: Accredited Assessor and Moderator
- PRISA: Community and Communication Officer
Leadership Responsibilities
- Chairperson: Parent Representative Committee Amberfield College Private School
- Former Panel Member: Ethics Health Professional Council of South Africa Panel Member: Ethics and Disciplinary
- Former Chairperson: Pastoral Parish Council (PPC) Cathedral of Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Former Regional Co-ordinator: Provincial Public Health & Welfare Bargaining Chamber (Northwest Province)
- Former Chairperson: Dept of Health: Transformation and Disciplinary Committee
- Scout Master/Springbok: Boy Scouts of South Africa
Timeline
Manager/Director: Employee Relations
Sefako Makgato Health Science University: MEDUNSA
06.2019 - Current
Specialist: Industrial Relations and Transformation
(NRCS) National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
08.2013 - 06.2018
Senior Investigator :( Deputy Director/Level 12)
MILITARY OMBUDS
05.2013 - 07.2013
Manager: Industrial Relations and Wellness
ARMSCOR (Armaments Corporation of South Africa)
10.2008 - 06.2012
Employment Relations and Human Resources Development
ANGLOPLATINUM
04.2007 - 10.2008
Bachelor of Science - Labour Law
University of Johannesburg
04.2001 -
Programme - Certified Ethics Officer
The Ethics Institute
Programme - Executive Leadership Programme
WITS UNIVERSITY
Subject Passed - Advance Management Development Program (AMDP)
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Certificate - Advance Alternative Dispute Resolutions
Pretoria University and Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa
Advance Diploma - Project Management
Cranefield College of Project Management
Diploma - Public Management
Tshwane University of Technology
Diploma - Labour Law
Graduate Institute of Management and Technology
Certificate - Advance Labour Relations Management
University of Pretoria