Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Name
Surname
: Jacobs
Student number
: 215135024
Course
Subject
Subject code
: ENM101S
Lecturer
: Dumisani Hlongwane
Due date
: 2 March 2016
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction............................................................................................................ 3
1.1.
Background...................................................................................................... 3
1.2.
Purpose........................................................................................................... 3
2.
Define Nepotism...................................................................................................... 3
3.
4.
5.
6.
Conclusion............................................................................................................. 6
7.
References............................................................................................................. 7
1. Introduction
1.1.
Background
The common phrase that when seeking for employment, forging business partnerships or any
favour in a business are; its not what you know, but who you know. With an increasing
1.2.
Purpose
The aims of this assignment are inter alia, four-folds namely (a) to define what nepotism is, (b)
to indicate whether nepotism is a form of discrimination and motivate why is or is not, (c) to
discuss the effects nepotism has in the workplace, and (d) state the law(s) governing nepotism
in the South African workplace. The assignment will be concluded by summing up my views.
2. Define Nepotism
Nepotism is the execution of offering jobs and other favours in ones organisation of
employment, on the basis of a family relationship first, to positions for which other candidates
are better qualified. Despite its negative connotations, nepotism (if applied sensibly) is an
important and positive practice in the startup and formative years of a firm where complete trust
and willingness to work hard (for little or no immediate reward) are critical for its survival.
(Business Dictionary.com, n.d.)
The term comes from Italian word nepotismo, which is based on Latin root nepos, meaning
nephew or grandson. Since the Middle Ages and until the late 17th century, some Catholic
popes and bishops, who had taken vows of chastity, and therefore usually had no legitimate
offspring of their own, gave their nephews such positions of preference as were often accorded
by fathers to son. (Wikipedia, n.d.)
Political
Organizational
In employment
Lose the trust of your employees. Nepotism in the workplace creates a big problem
when your employees feel that you are not putting the business first. When hiring a
relative conspiracies arise and employees may feel that the relative is not the best fit and
only has the job because of the relationship with the individual. This type of thinking
leads employees to feeling unfairness and loses their trust in the business. The business
Nepotism- favouritism, undeniably stirs up negative feeling and generally when it happens in the
workplace people feel that their jobs are in jeopardy and threatened by the relative. This can
wreak havoc in a business and amongst its employees.
The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act stipulates that if you give someone a
gift so that he or she or their family member secures you a favour from the organisation, you are
committing the crime of corruption. Section 12 of the act specifically criminalises giving (or
receiving) any gratification to improperly influence the procurement of a contract with a public
body or a company. (Corruption Watch, 2014).
This corrupt acts are seen in the workplace as unfair labour practices as the equality of the
employees are questioned. The Labour relations Act stipulates that everyone has the right to
fair labour practices. It is when the family relative or friend is also being treated differently to
other employees, favours the relative, unfairness arises with the other employees. Equality is a
very important law in the constitution that should be applied in the country, thus including the
workplace. Nepotism is a contravention of the right to equality. The favouritism of a family or
friend is discrimination on your social standing and birth. Everyone should be treated equal in
front of the law. Laws governing equality is also stated in the constitution under equality. The
EEA, in section 6 also contains detailed provisions to counteract and eliminate unfair
discrimination in the workplace.
The BCEA also protects the employee from unfair discrimination. One of the purposes of this
Act is to advance economic development and social justice by fulfilling the primary objects of
this Act which are to give effect to and regulate the right to fair labour practices conferred by
section 23 (1) of the Constitution.
6. Conclusion
All in all nepotism is a very controversial subject and many in South Africa abuse this unfair
practice because it cannot be banned or not banned, thus leaving it in a grey area. Nepotism,
like many practices are not solely bad, it can help start-up businesses to great extents, but in
most cases the cons out measures the pros. In my opinion, it is all about intention. Employees
will pick up what your intentions are and they would see down the line whether the family
member is a good fit or not for the job position. Nepotism should thus be judged based on the
intention of the recruiter.
7. References
Biz Community. 2013. HR News: Nepotism, Cronyism and unethical networking by Kay Vittee.
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/362/93639.html [20 May 2013].
Corruption Watch. 2014. Corruption News: Why is corruption getting worse in South Africa by
Gareth Newham. http://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/why-is-corruption-getting-worse-in-southafrica/ [17 January 2014].
Ethics Monitor. 2014. Its not what you know, but by Janine Erasmus posted on Corruption
Watch. http://www.ethicsmonitor.co.za/Nepotism.aspx [30 September 2014]
BusinessDictionary.com.n.d.Nepotism.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/nepotism.html
Wikipedia. n.d. Nepotism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism.
Wikipedia. n.d. Discrimination. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination
Wikipedia. n.d. Employment Discrimination.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_discrimination
Ehow. n.d. Business: Business & Society: Business Ethics: Is neopotism discrimination? By
Dan Ketchum. http://www.ehow.com/info_8681645_nepotism-considered-discrimination.html
Mystic Madness. n.d. How can nepotism in the workplace ruin your business.
http://www.mysticmadness.com/how-can-nepotism-in-the-workplace-ruin-your-business.html
Corruption Watch. 2014. Dear corruption watch: Nepotism must be tackled. Available from:
http://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/nepotism-must-be-tackled/ [30 June 2014]
Just Answer. South African Law. n.d. What is the SA constitution stance against nepotism.
Available from: http://www.justanswer.com/south-africa-law/6k5n5-sa-constitution-s-stanceagainst-nepotism.html#ixzz41ZGDwxN1
Wikipedia. n.d. South African Labour Law: Unfair Labour Practices. Available from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_labour_law#Unfair_labour_practices
Wikipedia. n.d. South African Labour Law: Discrimination Law. Available from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_labour_law#Discrimination_law
Labour Protect. n.d. Extracts from the Basic Condition of Employment Act, 75 of 1997. Available
from: http://www.labourprotect.co.za/basic_conditions_of_employment_act,_bcea.htm
South African Constitution, n.d. Chapter 2: Bill of Rights. Available from:
http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/constitution/SAConstitution-web-eng-02.pdf