The Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) has commenced a series of national stakeholder engagement roadshows to assist organisations in preparing for the forthcoming Employment Equity (EE) reporting season. These sessions have delivered crucial updates on the reporting timeline, anticipated amendments to the EE framework, and essential compliance guidelines.
Despite significant efforts by the DoEL to implement the Employment Equity Amendment Act and its associated Regulations, the finalisation process has encountered delays due to ongoing consultations and the need to achieve consensus on sector-specific targets. Consequently, the implementation of these amendments and the establishment of Sectoral Targets have been postponed and will not impact the 2024 reporting period. Organisations will be required to provide substantial justification if they fail to meet these targets once they are finalised.
For the 2024 reporting period, the DoEL has confirmed that reporting will proceed under the existing Act and Regulations. The online reporting window is set to run from September 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Organisations are expected to adhere to the current legislation and definitions of designated employers throughout this period.
Organisations with an active Employment Equity Plan are not required to develop a new plan for this reporting cycle. It is advisable to continue pursuing the targets and objectives outlined in the existing plan. However, organisations with expired Employment Equity Plans should prepare a new plan that aligns with the provisional Sectoral Targets and the Employment Equity Act (EAP). This new plan should span a 2 to 5-year period to accommodate future, finalised targets and ensure ongoing alignment.
Additionally, the DoEL emphasizes the necessity of promptly updating organisational details if there have been any changes. If an organisation no longer qualifies as a designated employer, it is essential to deregister with the DoEL by August 30, 2024, to ensure compliance and avoid potential repercussions.
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