Post by Nathan M

South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour has a new enforcement position that most employers haven't heard about yet. Psychosocial workplace risks — chronic overwork, unreasonable workloads, workplace bullying, management styles that create fear — are now framed as legal compliance obligations under the OHS Act, not just HR best practice. The ILO's 2026 World Day report found 840,000 deaths a year linked to psychosocial risks. The Department's position: "A workplace cannot be considered safe if workers are protected from machinery but exposed to chronic stress." What this means for South African employers: — Your OHS risk assessment should include psychosocial hazards alongside physical ones — BCEA working hours limits are now framed as psychosocial health obligations, not just employment conditions — Documented response to employee complaints about workload or management conduct is increasingly a compliance requirement The Department is recruiting inspectors specifically trained in "soft skills — communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and psychological awareness." The compliance landscape is expanding. https://lnkd.in/gvX2UJRY