{
  "id": 14118088,
  "title": "Fired from your job? Here’s what to do next",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/fired-from-your-job-heres-what-to-do-next",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-13T04:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/advice/2026-10-13-fired-from-your-job-heres-what-to-do-next/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Losing a job can be a devastating experience, leaving employees feeling shocked and humiliated. In South Africa, however, employees have certain protections against unfair dismissal as outlined in the Labour Relations Act (LRA). If an employee believes their dismissal was procedurally or substantively unfair, they have the right to challenge the decision. Importantly, there is a 30-day deadline from the date of dismissal to refer a dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) or relevant bargaining council. A frequent error is counting only working days, whereas the 30-day period is based on calendar days, including weekends and public holidays. Employees should collect all relevant documents, such as disciplinary hearing records, the dismissal letter, final payslip, and any emails or witness information that may bolster their case. They can acknowledge receiving the dismissal letter without necessarily agreeing with its contents. To challenge the dismissal, employees generally need to complete LRA Form 7.11, which involves providing personal details, employer information, and reasons for believing the dismissal was unfair. This form must be served on the former employer using a recognized method, after which it should be submitted to the CCMA with proof of service. If the dispute is registered, the CCMA will schedule a conciliation hearing where a commissioner tries to help both parties reach an agreement, which could entail financial compensation or reinstatement. If no agreement is reached, the commissioner may issue a certificate confirming the dispute remains unresolved, potentially leading to arbitration or referral to the Labour Court, where both parties can present evidence and arguments, and a legally binding decision will be made. While this process may seem daunting, particularly when deadlines are missed or procedural errors are made, it is essential to act promptly and understand the available options for protecting one's rights. Legal support is available from firms like Legal Leaders, which specializes in assisting employees facing workplace disputes. Despite losing a job, employees should remember they still have rights and can take steps to defend them.",
  "summary": "Losing your job can be devastating, but South African labour law protects employees against unfair dismissal. Labour lawyer Aslam Moolla explains the steps to take, the deadlines to meet and how to challenge a dismissal through the CCMA.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}