Employees are required to respect the employers’ property. If an employee wilfully damages the property of the employee, dismissal is almost invariably justified. The justification in such cases flows more from the employee’s malicious intent than from the actual damage caused; where intent is present, dismissal is warranted even if the employer suffered only minor loss. Damage to property arising from employees’ negligence has also been held to warrant disciplinary action.

If employees knew that their neglect of duty could result in serious damage to the employer’s property, negligence can be said to be ‘gross’. Repeated lapses by employees that result in loss to the employer may also justify dismissal.

For further information on any labour related matters, you can contact
Bernard Reisner:

W.Tel no.: 021 423 3959
Fax: 021 423 2105
Cell: 082 433 8714
E-mail: bernard@capelabour.co.za
Website: www.capelabour.co.za