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- Human Rights Training – Rights and Responsibilities under the South African Constitution (1 day)
Human Rights Training – Rights and Responsibilities under the South African Constitution (1 day)
Staff who understand their constitutional rights and responsibilities at work and in the community, and know where to turn when rights are abused.
Many workplace complaints and misunderstandings come down to rights: equal treatment, dignity, privacy, fair labour practices, or freedom of religion and expression. Staff who understand both their rights and their responsibilities under the Constitution are better colleagues, raise problems through the right channels and are less likely to cross a line themselves. This one-day human rights training explains the South African Constitution and the Bill of Rights in plain language and links them to everyday working life.
Delegates explore what human rights are, how the Constitution protects them and how the Bill of Rights works – including the equality, dignity, privacy, expression, association and labour relations clauses, and the limitations clause that balances one person's rights against another's. They look at the responsibilities that come with rights, at how laws such as the Employment Equity Act, the LRA, PEPUDA and POPIA give effect to them, and at the avenues open to someone whose rights are abused: internal grievance procedures, the CCMA, the Equality Courts, the South African Human Rights Commission, the Public Protector and the Commission for Gender Equality.
The session uses short case studies and group discussion and suits staff at every level. It is general information, not legal advice.
Why this course
For your organisation
- A workforce that understands equality, dignity and respect at work
- Fewer complaints that grow out of misunderstood rights
- Support for diversity, inclusion and employment equity efforts
- Staff who raise concerns through the right channels
For your delegates
- A plain-language understanding of the Bill of Rights
- Clarity on your rights and your responsibilities at work
- Knowing where to go for help when rights are abused
- Confidence to discuss rights issues respectfully
What delegates will be able to do
- Explain what human rights are and where they come from
- Describe the purpose of the Constitution and the role of the Bill of Rights
- Identify the rights most relevant at work, such as equality, dignity, privacy and fair labour practices
- Explain how the limitations clause balances competing rights
- Describe the responsibilities that come with individual rights
- Identify the institutions and procedures available when rights are abused
- Apply this knowledge to everyday workplace and community situations
Who should attend
Employees at every level, new staff during induction, team leaders and supervisors, HR practitioners, employment equity committee members, shop stewards and anyone who wants a clear grounding in human rights and the South African Constitution. No prior learning is required.
Course outline
Day 1 – Rights and responsibilities in practice
What human rights are
- The idea of human rights and why they matter
- Human rights in South African history and the road to the 1996 Constitution
- International instruments: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter
- Rights, freedoms and responsibilities
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
- The Constitution as the supreme law
- Founding values: dignity, equality and freedom
- How the Bill of Rights binds the state, employers and individuals
- Key rights: equality, dignity, privacy, religion, expression, association and labour relations
- The limitations clause: when a right may be limited
Rights at work
- How the LRA, BCEA, Employment Equity Act and POPIA give effect to constitutional rights
- Unfair discrimination and harassment
- Religion, culture and language in a diverse workplace
- Case studies: when rights collide
Responsibilities of the individual
- Respecting the rights of others
- Responsibilities at work and in the community
- Exercising rights responsibly: protest, social media and speech
When rights are abused
- Raising a grievance inside the organisation
- The CCMA and the Labour Court for workplace disputes
- Equality Courts under PEPUDA
- Chapter 9 institutions: the Human Rights Commission, Public Protector and Commission for Gender Equality
- Legal Aid South Africa and community advice offices
Applying the day
- What this means in your own workplace
- Review, questions and evaluation
How it is delivered
One day, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20; well suited to an induction or diversity programme. Workbook with a plain-language summary of the Bill of Rights included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.
What our clients say
★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 790+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses
“The training was very informative and practical, leaving our employees feeling confident in their ability to leverage Excel more effectively.”
“The course was efficiently scheduled and planned around our timetable. We were impressed by the quality of training, as well as the experience of the facilitator”
“We have been very impressed with their service and rollout of the training.”
Frequently asked questions
Can you run this course at our offices?
Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa; we can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.
How many people can attend?
From one delegate to groups of about 20. Larger workforces are usually trained in several sessions, for example as part of induction.
Is it accredited?
No – it is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Is this legal training?
No. It explains rights and responsibilities in plain language for employees. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice from an attorney or labour law specialist.
Can it be tailored to our workplace?
Yes. Many organisations run it as part of induction or alongside diversity and inclusion sessions, and the case studies can be drawn from your sector.
Can you run this course in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban?
Yes. We train on site at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and across South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online so a team spread over several offices can attend together.
Related courses
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