Unisa staff at breaking point; urgent intervention needed – Solidarity

Solidarity has called on the government to urgently intervene in the working conditions at the University of South Africa (Unisa), which are pushing staff to breaking point.

A survey conducted by Solidarity among its members at Unisa to obtain first-hand information about the serious allegations has, in most cases, confirmed the severity of the situation.

The feedback points to unacceptably high workloads, as well as high levels of stress and burnout, highlighting the impact these conditions are having on employees’ physical and psychological wellbeing. These findings are based on first-hand accounts from employees and not merely on media reports – reports that Unisa has dismissed in a statement as “coordinated misinformation”.

Solidarity will publish a comprehensive report on its findings in the near future.

Among the concerns raised by employees are that staff shortages and other workplace conditions are compromising their health and safety, while excessive workloads are driving many towards burnout.

As part of its intervention, Solidarity will submit a formal letter to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, as well as Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, outlining the working conditions at Unisa and the apparent lack of action to address them.

At the same time, the union will call for a formal investigation so that immediate steps can be taken in the interests of both employees and students.

According to Anique Niemand, Solidarity’s Network Organiser for the Professional Sector, they are particularly concerned about the wellbeing of its members and other employees who have been subjected to these conditions for an extended period.

In many cases, the situation has pushed employees to breaking point, with a serious negative impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

“Unfortunately, the feedback we have received from our members and other employees regarding working conditions at Unisa has confirmed our concerns and our worst fears.

“Employees are being crushed under unacceptable workloads, compounded by inadequate support in the workplace. Their complaints continue to fall on deaf ears, leaving many feeling increasingly powerless and unheard,” said Niemand.

According to De Wet Blaauw, Solidarity’s Head of Occupational Health and Safety, they will ensure that Unisa complies with its legal obligations in terms of the applicable legislation.

“The starting point is section 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires every employer to provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of its employees.

“Health, in this context, includes psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as mental health. This encompasses risks associated with excessive workloads, long working hours and victimisation,” said Blaauw.

According to Blaauw, these legal provisions make it clear that employers may not ignore working conditions that cause psychological or emotional harm to employees. They are legally obliged to manage these risks in the same way as physical workplace hazards.

Solidarity has called for all the allegations to be investigated with the seriousness they deserve. It is in the best interests of both employees and the institution that the facts be established by the relevant authorities as soon as possible.

For Solidarity, protecting employees’ health, safety and dignity in the workplace remains the highest priority.