“Employee Relations (ER) is an indispensable function and integral part of Human Resources to ensure harmony and good practice in the workplace.” Speaking about the role and importance of ER in any workplace, is seasoned labour expert and the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) newly appointed Director of ER, Bertha Shabangu.
Shabangu brings to TUT extensive experience in a wide range of legal fields including general litigation, employment and labour law, civil, corporate and commercial law as well drafting of and alternative dispute resolution.
In an interview with Willa de Ruyter Kaempffer, Shabangu spoke about her first month at TUT, the professionalism, warmth and connectedness she experiences among staff and some of her priorities for the first six months in office. Having been the Senior Manager ER at the highly paced University of Johannesburg previously, she said there is a marked difference between life in Johannesburg and life in Pretoria.
TUT's newly appointed Director of ER, Bertha Shabangu.
“TUT is quite relaxed, in a good way, but I think one requires that balance. I find staff members very professional, approachable, skilled, helpful and they know their work. TUT already feels like home to me,” Shanbangu said.
Describing herself as a well-spoken, goal oriented, assertive, committed and hardworking legal practitioner, maintaining the highest professional standards comes naturally to her.
“Finding my feet, meeting my colleagues and analysing the ER practices and policies in place at the University was at the core of my first month’s work at TUT. In my view, TUT definitely has sound ER practices and policies in place. In some instances there is room for improvement; for example policies that are due for review and amendment to ensure they align with changes in labour legislation over the past decade. I believe I am able and qualified to make a valuable contribution to expedite and streamline this area at TUT,” Shabangu added.
She highlighted the importance of work-life-balance to ensure issues in the workplace are minimised. “Like in any relationship, you will never have a workplace without any issues between employer and employee and vice-versa. I am deeply passionate about using my problem-solving and negotiation skills in creative ways to assist parties in resolving disputes efficiently and amicably,” she continued.
According to Shabangu, her work and life philosophies are well aligned. “I perceive myself as a very serious person, therefore in work I take things seriously. Working in a principled environment is non-negotiable, while living in a supportive environment is essential for my optimum functioning and well-being,” she said.
Since no man is an island, Shabangu also touched on the importance of integrating a successful and satisfying work life with a home life where one can still be goal-oriented, but able to be more relaxed. “I have a husband and children who help me keep me grounded. We love to do things together and lately, we have ventured into hiking. Sometimes we do it together as a family but at times, I prefer to do longer distances on my own.”
Constantly setting new goals and mastering previously unknown skills, are what drives Shabangu. “One of my major achievements during the past year was to master cycling, something that did not come naturally to me,” she said, commending a dear friend who held her hand and helped her mastering the art.