Welcome to Harassment in the Workplace — Level 1 Foundation Course. This self-study guide has been designed specifically for online learners who want to understand the fundamentals of workplace harassment prevention within the South African legal context.

Workplace harassment remains one of the most significant challenges facing South African employers and employees. The Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace, gazetted on 18 March 2022, represents a major step forward in addressing all forms of harassment — not only sexual harassment, but also racial harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, and other forms of abusive conduct.

How to Use This Study Guide

This study guide is structured to take you through approximately eight hours of self-paced learning. The material is divided into twelve modules, each building on the previous one to give you a solid foundation in workplace harassment prevention.

• Read each module thoroughly and take notes on key concepts
• Complete the activities and self-assessment questions at the end of each module
• Refer to the glossary whenever you encounter unfamiliar terms
• Work through the knowledge check assessments after completing all modules
• Use the reference section for further reading and research

Study Tip  Set aside dedicated time for each module. We recommend breaking the eight-hour course into 3-4 sessions of 2 hours each. Take short breaks between modules to absorb the material effectively.

Who Should Complete This Course

This introductory course is designed for anyone who needs to understand the fundamentals of workplace harassment prevention, including:

• All employees in any South African workplace
• Human Resources practitioners and managers
• Supervisors and team leaders
• Business owners and entrepreneurs
• Trade union representatives and shop stewards
• Students of labour law, human resources, and business management
• Anyone preparing for more advanced harassment prevention training

Important Note  No prior knowledge of labour law is required for this course. All concepts are explained from first principles, making this ideal for beginners.

Course Overview and Learning Outcomes

Course Description

Harassment in the Workplace — Level 1 Foundation Course provides a comprehensive introduction to the prevention, identification, and management of workplace harassment in South Africa. The course covers the constitutional basis for equality, the Employment Equity Act, the 2022 Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace, different types of harassment, employer obligations, employee rights, reporting procedures, and prevention strategies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define workplace harassment and explain why it is prohibited in South Africa
• Describe the constitutional and legislative framework governing workplace harassment
• Identify the different types of harassment recognised under South African law
• Recognise the signs and indicators of harassment in the workplace
• Explain employer obligations and responsibilities under the Employment Equity Act
• Describe employee rights and available legal remedies
• Outline the internal and external procedures for reporting harassment
• Apply basic prevention strategies in a workplace context

Course Structure

The course consists of twelve modules:

• Module 1: Understanding Workplace Harassment
• Module 2: The South African Legal Framework
• Module 3: The Employment Equity Act
• Module 4: The 2022 Code of Good Practice
• Module 5: Types of Workplace Harassment
• Module 6: Cyberbullying and Digital Harassment
• Module 7: Recognising the Signs of Harassment
• Module 8: Employer Obligations and Responsibilities
• Module 9: Employee Rights and Protections
• Module 10: Reporting and Complaint Procedures
• Module 11: Prevention Strategies
• Module 12: Support for Victims and Survivors