Constructive Dismissal- Bullying- CCMA and Labour Court

HR and Employee Relations Specialists, keep on destroying Multichoice reputation and dignity by protecting the bullies and by not holding them accountable. 1 day they will harass the wrong person. I am going to take this matter to twitter and i will not rest until i get justice. I am going to pursue and exercise my rights for fair labour practices.

I was constructively dismissed in November 2022 by my female managers for a male colleague that was in a relationship with one of the managers. I lodged a grievance against my Manager in April 2021 after several confrontations requesting the harasser to stop the bullying because it was affecting me mentally, emotionally and it was impacting my health and productivity. She did not stop and it was a laughing matter to her and she bragged that she reports to her close friend so that makes her untouchable.

I worked for Multichoice for 10 years. I started working for Multichoice in Oct 2012 under an Agency then I was permanently employed in 2015. I resigned in November 2022.

The 1st 8 years at Multichoice were great, i had great leaders. There was trust, mutual respect, safety, support, accountability and all other great elements that defines a healthy work environment.

The issue started in 2020 when i got a promotion to be a Supervisor for a new branch in Polokwane Mall of the North. My new female manager also got a promotion from being a Supervisor to a Branch Manager.

My Manager Miss P.D made accusations that i “ love” her partner who is a male colleague. Her partner showed interest in me and i never had interest in the guy. She started to use her managerial powers to create a hostile environment for me, purposely and consistently. On 07 May 2021 I was hospitalised at a Psychiatric Hospital for 21 days and I ended up having medical bills of +_R5000 that was not paid by the medical aid

HR made a decision to relocate me from Polokwane to the Randburg Branch. These 2 branches are managed by the same Leaders. The bullying and victimisation continued at the Randburg branch. I paid for my relocation costs of R5000 on 30 August 2021 when Multichoice transferred me from the Polokwane DSTV branch to the Randburg DSTV branch. HR Miss N.M advised that Multichoice will not cover my relocation costs even if the situation was caused by my manager.

In September 2021 I got a salary of R2500.00 as I was owing Multichoice because I had exhausted my Sick Leave days and Annual Leave days due to being hospitalized and being booked off by my Psychiatrist. HR Miss N.M told me in August 2021 that “ i must not be surprised when i dont get paid in Sep 2021”. I asked if i can make a payment arrangement of 2 to 3 months coz i take chronic medication and i need to buy food, i also need to get a new place in Jhb and cover other basic needs. She said no they will not do a payment arrangement

At the Randburg Branch the bullying continued to a point where i almost relapsed back to depression. I had to make a difficult decision and i decided to resign without lodging a 2nd grievance cz the 1st one was not even resolved. When you lodge a grievance, victimization follows.

I then took the matter to CCMA case no: GAJB26500-22 (GAJB). Presented all the documents that proves constructive dismissal. Employee Relations Senior Specialist Mr B.M was representing Multichoice. The case started in Jan 2023 and it was concluded on 22 June 2023. I was shocked by the representatives unprofessionalism, the arrogancy and how he protected the bullies. In June 2023 Mr B.M advised that Multichoice is willing to make a settlement of my 2 months salary because the company is not doing well financially so i should take it coz im going to lose the case anyway. They also said i should take the settlement to protect my dignity. I declined their offer and i lost the case.

I took the matter to Labour Court, awaiting the court date.

Imagine being dismissed because of a Managers work relationship! I was a hard worker and i worked truthfully. I was an all rounder, always showed up, took my job seriously, respected everyone at work. To this day i cannot believe a Manager who is friends with HR and the Head of sales took bread out of my mouth.