Document background
The Letter of Censure is a crucial document in South African employment practice, used when formal disciplinary action is required but dismissal is not yet warranted. It serves as an intermediate step in progressive discipline, documenting specific instances of misconduct or underperformance while ensuring compliance with South African labour laws, particularly the Labour Relations Act and the Code of Good Practice on Dismissal. The Letter of Censure typically follows verbal warnings or minor written warnings and precedes final written warnings or dismissal. It must be drafted carefully to ensure procedural fairness, clear communication of the issues, and specific expectations for improvement, while maintaining all legal requirements for disciplinary documentation in South African employment law.
