To what extent does the law governing dismissals based on operational requirements protect employees?

Abstract

Retrenchments or dismissals based on operational requirements are defined as requirements based on economic, technological or similar needs of an employer.1 In terms of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, a dismissal based on operational requirements is a permissible ground for dismissing an employee.2 However, research shows that some employers who choose to dismiss their employees use such dismissals to conceal the real reason for dismissing some of their employees.