Who Supports the People Who Support Everyone Else?
A Suicide Awareness Month reflection on the emotional weight carried by HR professionals. By Sameera Ahmed | September 2026 Behind every employee is a human being carrying a life that others may know very little about. Financial pressure. Relationship difficulties. Illness. Grief. Parenting responsibilities. Loneliness. Fear about job security. Workplace conflict. Exhaustion. Sometimes several of […]
We Say There’s a War for Talent. So Why Are We Making It So Hard for Talent to Grow?
By Sameera Ahmed | August 2026 A year ago, I spoke at the IPM Conference about the war for talent. We were talking about scarcity. Where will organisations find the skills they need? How do we attract great people? How do we retain them? How do we compete when everybody seems to be looking for […]
Building Capability Before the Chaos: The 4 Scalable Pillars for SMEs
By Sameera Ahmed | November 2025 Globally, small and medium businesses make up about 90% of all companies, provide up to 70% of jobs, and contribute roughly half of global GDP.Here in Africa, SMEs account for about 95% of businesses and nearly half of GDP. Yet many operate informally, under-resourced, or without the people systems […]
From Balance to Integration: Rethinking How We Live and Work
By Sameera Ahmed | Pinnacle HR This morning, before 9am, I had already shifted between three roles: For years, I tried to keep these parts of myself in separate boxes – chasing work–life balance. But balance never felt real. It was a fragile see-saw, tipping whenever one side became heavier. The truth? Work and life […]
Employment Equity Amendments 2025: What South African Employers Need to Know
By Sameera Ahmed | Pinnacle HR In 2025, sweeping changes to South Africa’s Employment Equity (EE) landscape came into force. For designated employers, these amendments are both a compliance imperative and an opportunity to build fairer, more inclusive workplaces. Here’s a detailed look at what’s changed, what you need to do, and why it matters […]
HR Without Business Acumen Is Dead: Here’s What You Need Instead
By Sameera Ahmed | September 2025 For years, HR has been labelled as the “people department” – responsible for hiring, payroll, and performance reviews. While those functions are important, they are not enough. In today’s world of fast-changing markets and competitive pressure, HR cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. To truly create impact, HR […]
The New Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (2025):
Key Changes Every Employer Must Know By Sameera Ahmed | September 2025 On 4 September 2025, the Department of Employment and Labour introduced a new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal under the Labour Relations Act. This single Code now replaces both Schedule 8 of the LRA (the old dismissal Code) and the 1999 Retrenchment Code, […]
The Fair Pay Bill: From Compliance to Culture Shift
By Sameera Ahmed | September 2025 South Africa is on the brink of one of the most important shifts in employment practices in recent years. The Fair Pay Bill (Employment Equity Amendment Bill, 2025) has been tabled in Parliament with the aim of tackling salary discrimination and promoting pay transparency. While the Bill is still […]
The New Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (2025) – Key Changes Every Employer Must Know
By Sameera Ahmed | September 2025 On 4 September 2025, the Department of Employment and Labour introduced a new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal under the Labour Relations Act. This single Code now replaces both Schedule 8 of the LRA (the old dismissal Code) and the 1999 Retrenchment Code, bringing all forms of dismissal—misconduct, incapacity, […]
South Africa’s Salary Trends 2025
South Africa’s Salary Trends 2025 What HR Professionals Need to Know By Sameera Ahmed | May 2025 “In a year of cautious optimism, pay strategy isn’t just about numbers — it’s about trust, retention, and competitive advantage.” What’s Changing in 2025? With inflation cooling and the economy showing signs of stabilisation, South African employers […]