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South Africa’s talent crisis - What's working in 2025

30/7/2025

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South African organisations are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving talent landscape. With global trends reshaping local realities, the battle to attract, engage and retain top talent is intensifying.

“Employers must critically assess the effectiveness of their talent strategies to ensure alignment with the evolving skills landscape,” advises Lindiwe Sebesho, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at the South African Reward Association (SARA). “A thorough understanding of skills market dynamics, combined with a strategic approach to remuneration and benefits, will empower organisations to identify optimal practices tailored to their unique needs and drive effective talent management in a highly competitive environment.”

She offers the following advice.

Skills market dynamics in an evolving landscape
South Africa’s economy is being reshaped by post Covid pandemic adaptation, demographic shifts towards a more youthful workforce, energy transitions, digital transformation, as examples. These reference points, together with ongoing economic reforms and policy interventions, are dynamically shaping the skillsets required for South Africa’s workforce to remain competitive and resilient. The most in-demand skills in 2025 include:

●       Technology and data: Data scientists, AI specialists and IT security analysts are critical as businesses digitise operations.
●       Renewable energy: Roles like solar PV technicians and energy project managers are booming due to government and private sector investment in renewable energy solutions.
●       Artisan trades: Skilled electricians, welders and plumbers remain in short supply, driven by ongoing infrastructure development and the urgent need to upgrade and maintain municipal services.
●       Healthcare and biotech: the post covid era has created a growing need for telehealth specialists, given the rapid expansion of remote healthcare delivery, as well as biomedical engineers who can drive innovation in medical technologies in line with the shift towards digital first health solutions.
●       Digital marketing and UX: As businesses expand online, creative and digital roles are surging, driven by the need to craft compelling brand narratives and ensure intuitive and inclusive experiences that attract and retain customers across diverse markets.

What’s working: Lifelong learning, upskilling initiatives and responsible flexibility in pay and benefits—supported by digital platforms, financial education and regulatory changes—are helping workers adapt their skills in response to these shifts.

What’s not working: The pace of skills development and technological adoption is still lagging demand, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Talent management needs evolving strategies
South African businesses must rethink how they attract and manage talent in response to global trends and local challenges.

What’s working
●       Strategic use of HR analytics: Advanced HR analytics are enabling companies to track performance in real time, predict workforce requirements, and refine remuneration strategies. This data-driven approach is helping business and HR teams align skills development as well as pay and benefits strategies with both individual expectations and organisational needs.
●       AI-driven recruitment: Larger firms are using AI to streamline hiring processes, manage bias and meet employment equity targets.
●       Remote work models: Hybrid, remote and flexible work options are helping companies tap into broader talent pools, develop choice-based EVPs and improve retention.
●       Skills-based hiring: Employers are prioritising proven competencies over degrees, opening doors for non-traditional candidates.

What’s not working
●       Slow tech adoption: Smaller businesses struggle to implement advanced recruitment tools due to cost and complexity.
●       Retention challenges: High turnover in critical roles—especially in tech, finance and healthcare—continues to strain business strategy execution.

Pay and benefits are a mixed bag
South African employers are under pressure to offer fair, competitive and flexible remuneration packages amid rising cost of living pressures and talent mobility.

What’s working
●       Skills-based pay: Organisations are increasingly rewarding skills over formal qualifications, aligning pay with market demand for critical skills.
●       Customised and flexible benefits: Static reward structures are being replaced by personalised benefits tailored to employees’ life stages and career aspirations. Organisations are investing in adaptable packages that include flexible retirement contribution options, mental health support, wellness programmes and additional leave benefits. This shift reflects a deeper commitment to employee financial wellbeing and inclusivity.
●       Purpose-driven variable pay: South African companies are increasingly linking variable pay—such as bonuses and incentives—to broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. This approach not only motivates performance but also aligns employee rewards with corporate purpose and societal impact. Short- and long-term incentives are being used to reinforce accountability and drive stewardship.
●       Equity and inclusion: Pay transparency and equity audits are helping address historical disparities and improve employer branding. Wage gap transparency is being driven by regulatory changes, such as Section 30A  and B of the Companies Amendment Act, which will require publicly listed and state-owned companies to disclose various wage gap ratios once effective. Some organisations are embracing this not just as a compliance measure but as a moral imperative, using wage gap analysis to build trust and reinforce commitment to fair and responsible pay.

What’s not working
●       Static salary structures: Many companies still rely on outdated pay and benefits structures that don’t reflect market realities, especially given the diversity of the five generations in today’s workforce.
●       Limited gig worker protections: While platforms like SweepSouth and M4Jam offer flexible work, gig workers often lack access to meaningful benefits and fair pay.
●       Over-reliance on aggressive salary increases: The era of rapid salary growth peaked in 2023. In 2025, companies are pulling back from aggressive pay hikes, opting instead for more sustainable increases. While this stabilisation is necessary, it has led to job hopping challenges into high-demand sectors which offer premium pay.

How remuneration and reward practitioners can support employers
Remuneration and reward practitioners play a pivotal role in helping organisations win the talent war. In South Africa’s evolving labour market, their strategic influence can make the difference between attracting top talent or losing it to more agile competitors. Here’s how they can support organisations effectively:

Align pay with market realities
●       Conduct regular benchmarking: Use up-to-date market data to ensure pay, benefits and incentive structures reflect current skills demand, especially for critical and scarce skills.
●       Implement skills-based pay: Convince employers to move beyond traditional job grading and banding to reward critical skills, competencies and output-based performance.
●       Introduce pay transparency: Build trust and ensure accountability by clearly communicating fair and responsible pay philosophies, remuneration policies and progression paths.

Design flexible and inclusive benefits
●       Customisable benefits packages: Offer modular benefits that employees can responsibly tailor to their needs, for example, flexible retirement contributions, relevant healthcare and medical aid, wellness, skills development, childcare or remote work support.
●       Mental health and wellbeing: Prioritise psychological safety through access to counselling, mental health days, and burnout prevention programmes.
●       Financial wellness: Provide tools and education to help employees understand money, manage debt, save and plan for retirement—especially important in South Africa’s low savings environment.

Support strategic workforce planning
●       Partner with talent teams: Collaborate with HR and talent teams to identify and develop future skills needs and align pay and benefits strategies accordingly.
●       Scenario planning: Use data to model different workforce scenarios—for example, back to office, hybrid work, automation—and adjust talent management strategies proactively.
●       Performance and retention analytics: Monitor performance and turnover trends and use predictive analytics to identify top talent, manage flight risks and intervene with targeted retention strategies.

Promote fairness and equity
●       Conduct pay equity audits: Regularly assess and address pay disparities across jobs, gender, race and other demographics.
●       Support employment equity goals: Align reward strategies with transformation objectives, ensuring fair access to career growth and rewards.
●       Inclusive recognition: Design recognition programmes that celebrate diverse contributions and foster belonging.

Enable agile reward practices
●       Short-term incentives: Use spot strategy aligned bonuses, project-based rewards and impactful recognition to motivate performance in fast-changing environments.
●       Total rewards communication: Clearly articulate the full value proposition, salary, benefits, culture, purpose, learning and growth to attract and retain talent.
●       Digital reward platforms: Leverage technology to personalise, automate and scale pay and benefits delivery.

Champion continuous learning
●       Link rewards to learning: Incentivise upskilling and reskilling through learning stipends, certification bonuses or career development pathways.
●       Support career mobility: Reward internal mobility and cross-functional experience to build a resilient and engaged workforce.

Winning the war requires agility
“To win the talent war in South Africa, organisations must embrace agility in pay structures, benefits design and talent management. Investing in skills development, adopting inclusive and flexible total reward practices, and leveraging technology will be key to staying competitive in 2025 and beyond” says Sebesho. 
​

ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
X: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association

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Salary increase season - what’s realistic and what’s not in 2025

24/6/2025

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For many South Africans that are formally employed in both the government and private sectors, mid-year marks a pivotal time for mid-year salary reviews and potential raises. It is a time brimming with anticipation and hope, as employees look forward to some financial relief for their hard work and dedication.

However, the economic landscape is a complex and ever-shifting terrain. “Whilst the inflation outlook has improved over the last few months with CPI averaging 3.0% as at April 2025, there’s a lot happening both locally and globally that impacts employers’ ability to meet everyone’s salary increase expectations,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at the South African Reward Association (SARA).

She advises that employees manage their expectations by understanding the economic factors at play. This understanding can lead to more constructive and better-informed salary conversations, ultimately fostering a healthier employer-employee relations environment focused on driving much needed productivity for the country.

Know the factors at play
Employers' ability to increase salaries is influenced by several factors, including national and global economic growth prospects, company performance and affordability, as well as skills market trends.

Inflation is expected to remain moderate and within the South African Reserve Bank’s 3-6% target range through 2025/26. However, even with recent cuts, interest rates remain high, making debt expensive for individuals and organisations alike, and leaving both employees and employers under financial strain.

While we dodged the VAT bullet, the increase to the fuel levy will still hit everyone hard, from individual motorists to company and public service fleets. This cost might be offset by expectations of lower fuel prices but will still have an adverse impact on expenses. Additionally, rising food costs due to droughts and other climatic factors will put further pressure on budgets.

Employers will also be hampered by weaker GDP growth than previously predicted, as well as global economic instability fuelled by US President Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs. Tariffs on South Africa’s trading partners could create unwelcome local inflation, making organisations wary of committing to higher labour costs.

"Considering the present economic circumstances, a balanced approach to salary adjustments is required. The intention is not to undervalue employees but to explore comprehensive strategies for improving the overall employee value proposition in a manner that ensures business sustainability and job security," says Sebesho.

Given these facts, you may need more information to optimise your remuneration package beyond just a salary increase.
 
Take a positive approach
Despite economic pressures, you can improve your odds by taking some simple steps, such as:
  • Know your job’s worth - There are many sources of salary information so you can decide if you are being paid fairly, but make sure you use authoritative information from recognised experts, along with considering remuneration policy information from your employer.
  • Be understanding - If you do your homework and understand your employer’s constraints, you can approach your salary increase conversation more rationally and constructively, which could help you win a more positive outcome that also helps you retain your job in the long term.
  • Show your value - Salary increases are typically based on performance, so now is the time to demonstrate how well you have done personally and your contribution to the organisation’s goals – this might help you get a bit more than you expected.
  • See the big picture - Remuneration isn’t just about money but includes benefits and other rewards as well, so review your entire remuneration package and ask about non-monetary or money-saving benefits, including how you can flex your retirement benefits to help offset any immediate financial shortfall without compromising your long-term savings goals.

Keep it real and respectful
While you may be desperate for, expecting or even demanding an above-inflation increase, it is important to be realistic and, especially, respectful during a salary increase conversation.

Employers are also strapped due to economic conditions and understanding their limitations without over-comprising yourself will be appreciated.

Sebesho concludes, "It is essential to expect fair and equitable pay that allows you to participate effectively in the economy. However, understanding both perspectives is crucial for balanced salary adjustment negotiations that ultimately safeguard employment."
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She invites readers to engage constructively on the topic and to consider broadening remuneration insight through the SARA Thought Leadership Quarterly and the SARA conference (add links to website)

ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
X: @SA_rewardLinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association

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How flexible benefits attract skilled workers

18/3/2025

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The battle to attract, engage and retain talented employees continues, and many South African organisations are turning to flexible benefits to lure candidates away from their competitors.

“Skilled workers are realising how valuable they are and are demanding more than a generic remuneration package with set benefits,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at the South African Reward Association (SARA).

To make flexible benefits work for them, companies have to understand the diverse needs of their employee and develop the right offering of benefits to best meet those needs.

How do flexible benefits work?
A good flexible benefits scheme offers employees:
  • A variety of possible financial and retirement, health and wellness as well as work-life benefits to choose from
  • The ability to select a mix of benefits that best suits their personal needs
  • The means to readily adapt the benefit mix to changes in their life circumstances, and
  • The power to periodically adjust any contribution to each benefit

In an ideal case, staff could be so well informed and empowered that they could manage their benefits independently through their digital corporate employee portal, adapt their mix at will, or adjust benefit contributions in return for extra take-home pay.

However, employers may face practical constraints on the benefits offered, as well as the frequency and level of adaptability they are able to support. For example, benefits that are contractually agreed on or regulated such as retirement fund contributions and risk cover, may be legally restricted and/or have limited flexible options to ensure responsible outcomes for employees. There are also cost considerations, where a specific risk cover has been negotiated based on intended membership and a defined risk profile, thus negating the possibility of constant membership changes

The scope of flexible benefits
Flexible benefits may be financial, material, environmental or even emotional. So, employers should never limit themselves only to traditional cost-to-company elements when developing their programme.

A tiered health insurance plan is a common alternative to traditional medical aid, allowing employees to adjust the cost of medical cover to their specific needs and/or excluding services they don’t typically use, like a gym membership.
A range of leave types and flexible working arrangements might be more attractive to employees seeking work-life balance, protecting their mental health, or raising children.

In-house wellness programmes, such as mental health awareness and support, or a variety of physical therapies may also be welcome for those employees who prefer preventative approaches to managing their health.

However, it’s not practical to list every possible benefit and it is up to employers to use employee feedback to determine what's best for their situation and continually innovate to remain competitive.

“Whatever the benefits are, the objective should be to have a comprehensive benefits programme that caters to diverse needs and employee preferences in a manner that enhances their overall well-being and job satisfaction in a responsible manner.” says Sebesho. “This helps them feel empowered and valued, driving them to greater workplace engagement and productivity.”

Know your employee
A successful flexible benefits programme starts with knowing what existing and potential employees want. Jumping in feet first could result in a model that falls short of expectations. So, the vital first step is to engage with staff and subject matter experts and build the scheme around their feedback on what’s valued.
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Research should consider factors like:
  • Demographics: Understand the age, family structure, and life stages of your employees to tailor benefits accordingly.
  • Gender - Women have different needs and concerns from men, like the pressure of raising children as a single mother.
  • Stage of life - Older employees may be more concerned with retirement contributions whereas younger workers may need better medical aid and flexible work arrangements for their young families.
  • Organisational level - Lower-level workers may want more take-home pay whereas affluent employees could care more about variable incentives and rewards.
  • Financial implications: Determine the budget available for benefits and prioritise offerings that provide the most value to employees. Also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different benefits to ensure they are sustainable.
  • Benchmarking and compliance - consider what benefits are commonly offered in your industry to stay competitive and ensure compliance to laws regarding mandatory benefits.
  • And any other parameters that help determine the best course of action.
“Again, it is possible and up to each employer to innovate and build a comprehensive, competitive flexible benefits offering that enables effective attraction, engagement and retention of diverse top talent,” says Sebesho.

ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
X: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association

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Avoid these 5 mistakes when asking for a raise

4/3/2025

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You’ve decided it’s high time you got paid what you’re worth, and you’re about to knock on the boss’s door to ask for a raise. Before you do, take a moment to get your ducks in a row. 

“Convincing your employer to increase your salary can be challenging, and many employees make avoidable mistakes that weaken their case instead of strengthening it,” says Nicol Mullins, Master Reward Specialist and Past President of the South African Reward Association (SARA).

So, if you’re planning to negotiate your way to a bigger paycheck, make sure you steer clear of these five common pitfalls.

Getting the timing wrong
Asking for a raise just after joining the company or too soon after your last increase will probably be seen as premature or unprofessional. Salary reviews typically follow structured cycles, and approaching your manager at an inappropriate time reduces your chances of success.

“For example, if your company has not performed well or budget constraints have been imposed, your request will likely fall on deaf ears,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at SARA.

Not demonstrating added value
Many employees ask for a raise without first establishing a strong case for why they deserve one at all. Simply fulfilling job responsibilities is not enough - you need to showcase consistent, measurable achievements, contributions and reliability.

“Demonstrating how your work has positively impacted the business strengthens your request, especially if your manager agrees with your evidence,” says Deon Smit, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at SARA.

Using anecdotal evidence
Hinging your request on personal financial needs or comparisons with colleagues will prove fruitless. Most employers base remuneration on individual performance, trusted market benchmarks and business impact - not personal expenses, informal discussions about peer salaries, or arbitrary remuneration data gleaned from the Web.

“Instead, focus on your unique contributions to the company and the value you bring to your role and responsibilities,” says Mullins.

Using ineffective communication and approach
Approaching the conversation with threats, ultimatums, or vague references to news articles and generalised salary data weakens your credibility. Instead, rely on your company’s remuneration policy, verified industry benchmarks and a professional, well-prepared presentation of your case.

“A well-informed, positive and collaborative approach fosters a more constructive negotiation, and a greater probability of winning your raise,” says Sebesho.

Failing to take responsibility for your career
Employees often assume their employer is solely responsible for their career advancement, and consequently neglect their own professional development and growth. So, they miss out on opportunities for salary progression.

“Proactively engaging with your manager on your skill development, performance differentiation, and career planning ensures a stronger position when requesting an increase or even a promotion,” says Smit.

Revising your strategy
So, to recap - poor timing, not demonstrating value, using anecdotal evidence, ineffective communication, and no career initiative are all big mistakes. Individually or in any combination, they will likely see you leaving your boss’s office no better off than before.

“By avoiding these mistakes and approaching your salary negotiation strategically, you greatly enhance your chances of a successful outcome,” says Mullins.
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
X: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association

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2024 SARA Awards honour Leaders in Innovation and Transparency

11/11/2024

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MultiChoice, Standard Bank and others celebrated for setting new standards in reward excellence
 
Achieving greater transparency, simplifying the reward processes and addressing employee needs. Projects that achieved these goals took top honors at the 2024 Annual Reward Awards ceremony, hosted by the South African Reward Association (SARA).

The awards annually recognise businesses and individuals who create excellence in rewards that attract and retain employees, while also motivating them to contribute to their organisations.

The two big winners on the night were MultiChoice Group Ltd, which won the SARA Project of the Year Award for their Total Reward Online Tool, and Standard Bank, which received the SARA Remuneration Report Award.

The prestigious President’s Award went to Lindiwe Sebesho, with Bukelwa Molefe honored as the second-ever recipient of the Young Remuneration Professional Award.

SARA Project of the Year Award
This year’s Project of the Year Award recognised the impressive work of MultiChoice’s Total Reward Online Tool project, chosen from a strong pool of nominations spanning multiple industries. The project’s goal was to develop a streamlined tool to manage the annual remuneration review cycle, covering salary increases, bonuses, share allocations, and payroll submissions. The tool’s efficient, user-friendly design supports management across various levels and ensures swift, accurate approval processes. Judges praised the project for its impactful business benefits, effective project management, and ease of use, making it a well-deserved winner.

In second place, Doré Burger from BMW South Africa received acclaim for her leadership in BMW’s Total Reward Statement project, a benchmark for the company’s global Total Reward Statement reporting.

Joint third-place honors were awarded to RCL Foods and ABSA for their respective Penny Wise project and eKhaya Colleague Share Scheme, both of which have successfully enhanced employee financial well-being and engagement.

Remuneration Report Award
This award traditionally celebrates the alignment of reward reporting with the principles of the King IV governance guidelines, particularly in fair and transparent policy practices. From what the judges deemed a “very competitive pool” of eight nominations, Standard Bank earned first place with a report described as excellent in terms of readability, disclosure, and narrative clarity.

“The report’s balance of detail, transparency, and stakeholder focus is impressive, setting a benchmark for excellence in remuneration reporting,” the judges agreed.

Vodacom’s “clear, strategically aligned” report took second place, while Old Mutual’s “creative, visually engaging” submission also secured a spot on the podium.

Young Remuneration Professional Award
Bukelwa Molefe, currently serving as Compensation and OD Manager at Adapt IT, was awarded the Young Remuneration Professional Award. Bukelwa’s journey has been marked by rapid advancement and a commitment to giving back to the reward profession. She holds a BComm Honours degree in Economics and several professional designations, including the SARA Reward Specialist  designation. Her leadership roles in various SARA committees reflect her dedication to advancing the profession, and her peers regard her as an inspiring and committed leader in the field.

President’s Award
The prestigious President’s Award was presented to Lindiwe Sebesho for her lifelong contributions to the reward industry. With an impressive career spanning several senior leadership roles and an academic background that includes an MBA and a Master Reward Specialist designation, Lindiwe has consistently championed professional standards and governance. Her contributions to SARA include terms on the Executive Committee, meaningful policy discussions and mentorship initiatives, making her a true advocate and leader in the field.
 
ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Idele Prinsloo, [email protected], 082 573 9219, www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
X: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Associatio
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The “new normal” no match for proven Performance Management principles

31/3/2022

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Apart from the where, when and how of employee performance management, not much has changed since the emergence of COVID-19. This is according to Lindiwe Sebesho, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee Member at the South African Reward Association (SARA).

"This is because the key principles in performance management remain relevant in measuring and improving employee contribution to business performance or growth," she says.

Performance philosophy
Many organisations have become a mix of full time on-premises, fixed-hour staff and work-from-home (WFH) employees with flexible hours. So whilst how their performance is set, monitored and evaluated may be more complex, the need to manage performance remains key for business success. Leveraging technology, most employers are optimising various digital platforms that enable real-time, simple-to-use processes to ease the management of performance across the expanded enterprise.

However, performance management principles remain focused on the need to set clear performance objectives and on holding ongoing feedback and feed-forward conversations between employers, workers and teams to optimise their contribution to delivering on corporate strategy.

Therefore this process still aims to foster a continuous improvement ethic that focused individuals and teams on activities that drive business growth. Its outcomes are largely still ratings based and are used to inform fair, business-aligned skills development, reward and talent decisions such as succession planning.

Key principles
Organisations still need to clearly communicate their purpose, growth goals, ambition and strategy within a well-defined business context.

Next, they must align employee efforts through personal, team, financial and non-financial objectives and key results (OKRs) that capture essential outcomes.

As staff execute their duties, regular check-in conversations and real-time feedback enable development and continuous improvement of performance.

Further, regular feedback and ratings should be administered, leading to formal annual evaluations that use an established rating scale linked to desired standards of contribution.

These rating outcomes are then used as input for making reward and other talent-related decisions.

"Whatever the circumstances, business must not become distracted from this proven approach to performance management even where different working arrangements have been adopted," says Sebesho.

Underperformance
With the country's economic downturn, organisations are eager to maximise resource output wherever possible. Accordingly there is a more concerted effort towards the proactive management of underperformance among staff.

"While managers may have let underperformance slide in the past, they are now more focused On ensuring that every worker contributes to growth consistently," says Sebesho.

As part of managing under-performance, it is key to understand the factors that negatively impact employee performance.

The first is a lack of skills that could result from an ineffective education system and/or limited investment by employers in training and development. Assigning employees to roles that do not fit their competencies can also hamper optimal performance. Organisations that invest in skilling up workers and ensure employees are equal to their responsibilities can overcome this hurdle.

The second is low employee morale and engagement, which can be caused by anything from the threat of retrenchments to rewards that do not align with worker values. The best solution is for management to establish a culture of open communication and engage with staff to determine the causes of poor morale. A show of concern alone can help reignite employee interest, although employers must follow through with solutions to maintain trust.

Even workers with good morale may suffer from the third factor, a lack of motivation. This can be caused by societal conditions, such as social unrest or political instability, leading to personal problems, like poor mental or physical health. Employers can offset these obstacles with a comprehensive employee value proposition, additional mental and physical wellness support, and positive reinforcement through recognition of desired behaviours.

Finally, a lack of resources may prevent employees from producing their best work. Low national economic growth, employer budget cuts or inadequate infrastructure, like transport and telecoms, can rob them of opportunities to work effectively. Employers should consider budgeting for critical resources that enable better productivity, and provide alternative working arrangements, like flexible hours or work-from-home solutions where the nature of jobs allow for such.  They also need to provide technical and digital skills support where required.

Enhanced performance
In summary, WFH and hybrid models necessitated by the pandemic have created greater flexibility in the where, how and when of employee performance but have not necessarily changed the core principles of performance management which remain largely the same and employers must apply them consistently for the best results.

Employers should therefore leverage technology to develop simple, real-time processes that enable performance management across expanded enterprise boundaries and maximise their people resources by minimising underperformance.

"By acknowledging these trends, employers can maximise their workforce's performance and pursue their full growth potential despite the various operational challenges they face" says Sebesho.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Rosa-Mari Le Roux, [email protected], 060 995 6277, www.atthatpoint.co.za 

For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
Twitter: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association
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Make the performance management planning process work for you!

13/3/2017

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Despite the changes being made to many organisation’s performance management processes, setting clear performance objectives is vital. It ensures that employees focus on work that helps them contribute optimally to both team and business success whilst growing their careers. 

“If done right, goal setting is still considered key in enabling employees to start any performance period or role with an understanding of their role priorities and what success looks like,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, Executive Committee Member, South African Reward Association (SARA). “It can also direct development efforts as employees can use this as reference for refining their capabilities for the short and long term growth. Most importantly, setting effective objectives reduces the stress associated with performance reviews for those organisations that still hold these formally.”   

Whilst performance objectives used to be set annually at the beginning of a performance period, more organisations now encourage shorter objective setting cycles e.g. quarterly, as this helps them adjust their focus in line with changes in their environment.   

“It is important that employees optimise the objective setting processes in their companies to align their career goals with those of the organisation,” says Sebesho. “As goal setting discussions usually happen in teams and/or directly with an employee’s line manager, employees can use these goals to understand key business priorities and the contributions they can make. Not only should this ensure that their performance is in line with what the company expects from them, but it also enables them to work proactively towards a common result which benefits all.”

Clear performance objectives are imperative 
There are various ways in which organisations guide the development of objectives to ensure that they are output focused and drive valued results.  The most common of these is the CSMART principle:  Challenging, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Using this guide, employees can ensure that their objectives are clearly defined and can be used to indicate intent and substantiate achievements.    

Sebesho says this is particularly important as many organisations use performance outputs to determine different reward elements. “Salaries, bonuses and incentives are usually tied to the level of achievement against stretched performance objectives and targets. So, to set yourself up for success, not only for reward purposes, but in terms of career progression, it is important to be clear about the contribution you have to make and the standards against which your performance will be assessed. Setting effective objectives is therefore a key part of owning your success as an employee.”

​ENDS
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 082 222 9198, [email protected], www.atthatpoint.co.za 
 
For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za 
Twitter: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association

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Focus on employee growth can result in business growth

19/9/2016

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The world of work is shifting its focus from the organisation to the individual. Those organisations that keep their talent are those that pay as much attention to the employee value proposition as they do to their customer value propositions. They recognise that empowering, guiding and nurturing their employees enables them to improve productivity and performance.

“In the past, engagement with the employee was usually on the enterprise’s terms. Today that dynamic has fundamentally changed and it is the talented employee who is increasingly gaining control of their career and who they may want to work for,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, South African Reward Association (SARA) President. “If organisations want to acquire, engage and retain employees with the skills they need to succeed, they have to create more flexible and empowering people practices that encourage employees to take charge of their own productivity and career growth.”

Marie-Claire Mclachlan, SARA Executive Committee Member, adds: “Lifelong employment following an organisation’s predetermined career path is long gone. A manager is no longer the only person who drives the career of those who work for them. Now, employees are making the choices and they have the power to choose which organisation they want to work for (or with) based on the best opportunities and pathways to growth on offer.” 

The employee thus determines the course of their career and can walk away from the manager and business that doesn’t recognise or support their unique needs. Organisations can benefit from this change by relinquishing control-focused practices and making the tools employees need to make informed decisions about their performance, development and growth easily available.

Addressing the challenges
The biggest challenge in today’s labour market is not only a lack of job opportunities but there is a critical lack of the skills and experience that most organisations require for sustainable success. This is not exclusive to South Africa, a country with marked unemployment issues. Battling to find people with the right skill sets is a global phenomenon. 

“If your business is not paying attention to the unique needs of employees who have the limited skill sets your business needs, you won’t attract, retain and engage the best talent,” says Sebesho. The organisation that wants to fill critical positions and hold on to its top performing talent has to appreciate each and every employee as an individual and provide effective solutions for their engagement and growth.”

Reward professionals can play an important role in an organisation’s efforts to empower its talent. “Developing and implementing flexible reward offerings that include current and future focused development, recognition for great achievements and flexible work arrangements that fit the unique profile and personality of different employees is important,” says Sebesho. “This means reward practices and career paths should be designed to empower employees through choice and variety whilst being compliant with the different labour regulations that apply. Communicating these options and delivering on the promised employee value proposition is critical in ensuring that this value is experienced and optimised to drive employee engagement and productivity.”

ENDS
​

MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 012 644 2833, [email protected], www.atthatpoint.co.za  

For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za  
Twitter: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association ​​​​​​​​​

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Tips on managing employee performance effectively

3/6/2016

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Top organisations are improving employee performance practices
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Managing employee performance remains a key element of ensuring that businesses remain competitive by executing their strategies better and more efficiently. Performance improvement cannot be achieved through traditional performance management approaches that focus primarily on employee assessments. For this reason top organisations are improving their practices.
 
“In order to bring your organisation’s performance management up to date, the setting of clear performance objectives at the right levels of stretch, followed by more regular, real-time and forward looking conversations on performance between managers and employees is key,” says Lindiwe Sebesho, President of the South African Reward Association (SARA).
 
The right level of stretch
“This is the level of performance that encourages employees to do more than what is normally expected so that they can improve or sustain desired performance outcomes,” Sebesho explains. “It is important that performance objectives are defined in very specific terms.”
 
Various guides are available to help organisations, managers and employees define stretch objectives including the widely used CSMART approach. This approach refers to defining objectives that are challenging, specific, measureable, achievable, and realistic and time bound.
 
Real-time conversations
Sebesho advises that organisations should endeavour to create an environment where great conversations about the business are the norm and people are generally encouraged and feel it is safe to participate in them. “Performance focused conversations should be held whenever support is required to make progress or when progress has been made.  It is especially important to ensure that issues that impact on performance are addressed quickly,” says Sebesho.
 
Keep it regular
Traditional performance management approaches advocate set intervals, however, whilst this may work for some environments, it does not work in others. Sebesho agrees: “Flexible approaches are often necessary to cater for any event that may impact on an employee’s understanding of what they need to focus on and get the support they need to deliver great results.”
 
Using a Reward Specialist
Where organisations are aiming at improving their performance management practices, Sebesho advises the use of a Reward Specialist. “Reward Specialists generally ensure that their organisation’s total reward strategies and policies are formulated and implemented in a way that rewards people fairly and consistently in line with the value of their skills, knowledge and experience,” she says. “They particularly have to ensure that performance based rewards encourage employees to maximise their performance.”
 
Bonus plans, incentive schemes or stock options must fairly reward employees for achieving stretch performance objectives and contributing optimally to the success of the organisation. 
 
“As performance is a key decision factor for such schemes, a Reward Specialist has to ensure that their organisation’s performance management practices are effective and are therefore a sound basis on which to make performance based reward decisions. It is also important that they ensure that such schemes are motivational and speak to the needs and desires of the employees.”
​
ENDS
​

MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 012 644 2833, [email protected], www.atthatpoint.co.za  

For more information on SARA please visit:
Website: www.sara.co.za  
Twitter: @SA_reward
LinkedIn: South African Reward Association
Facebook: SARA – South African Reward Association 


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