Employment Rejection Template for South Africa

The Employment Rejection letter is a crucial document in South African business operations, used when concluding unsuccessful recruitment processes. It must comply with South African labor laws, including the Employment Equity Act, Labour Relations Act, and POPIA. The document serves multiple purposes: it provides clear communication to candidates, maintains professional relationships, minimizes legal risks, and creates an audit trail for recruitment decisions. The Employment Rejection letter should be tailored to different recruitment stages (post-application, post-interview, or post-assessment) while maintaining consistent legal compliance and professional courtesy. It's particularly important in the South African context where fair labor practices and anti-discrimination measures are strongly emphasized in legislation.

1. Letter Header: Company letterhead, date, reference number, and candidate's contact details

2. Salutation: Professional greeting addressing the candidate by name

3. Acknowledgment: Thank the candidate for their time and interest in the position

4. Decision Communication: Clear but polite statement of the rejection decision

5. Brief Explanation: General, non-specific reason for the decision that doesn't create legal exposure

6. Positive Note: Recognition of the candidate's qualifications and/or positive aspects of their application

7. Closing: Professional sign-off including contact details of the sender