Employment
Unpaid wages, dismissal and workplace disputes
Covers: South Africa · Zimbabwe
Employment disputes are won on dates and documents. Whether it is unpaid wages, a dismissal you believe was unfair, or an unresolved grievance, the first job is a clean chronology of what happened and what you are owed.
What you need
- Employment contract or letter of appointment
- Payslips and bank statements showing what was and was not paid
- Dismissal, suspension or disciplinary letters
- Written communication with your employer (email, WhatsApp, SMS)
- Dates: start date, incident dates, last day worked, last payment received
Step by step
- 1
Build the chronology
Every date, in order, with the document that proves it. This becomes the backbone of any referral.
- 2
Calculate what you are owed
Salary, notice pay, leave pay and any statutory amounts — itemised, not a round number.
- 3
Raise it internally in writing
A dated grievance or letter of demand gives the employer a chance to fix it, and shows you tried.
- 4
Refer within the deadline
In South Africa, unfair dismissal is generally referred to the CCMA within 30 days. In Zimbabwe, matters go to a labour officer or designated agent.
- 5
Prepare for conciliation
Arrive with your chronology, documents and a clear statement of the outcome you want.
Deadlines matter more than merits
A strong case referred late is often unrecoverable without condonation. Confirm the applicable time limit for your country and matter type on the official site before doing anything else.
Official sources
ThusoAssist links to official forms and portals — it never recreates an official document.
Common questions
Can ThusoAssist represent me at the CCMA?
No. It prepares your chronology, evidence pack and correspondence so you arrive organised.
My employer just stopped paying me. Where do I start?
Start a case, load your payslips and dates, and generate a letter of demand with the itemised amount.
Turn this into a case file
A guide tells you the process. A ThusoAssist case works it: adaptive interview, your facts and evidence in one place, what's missing, an action map, documents and follow-up.
Related guides
ThusoAssist is not a law firm, government department or licensed professional. Guidance is general and may need verification. For serious matters, consult a qualified professional.