Devan Moonsamy

When workers embark on a strike it sends a ripple effect through the business. It causes service delivery delay. It also results in customers not being helped and financial strain to the business. Eskom has been the recent enterprise that is making headlines due to striking workers. This has inevitably resulted in major delays to the country in terms of power outages. It is one of the contributing reasons for a stage 6 blackout that the country is experiencing. The latest strike action is the example of the impact strike action can have on not just the business but on the country. 

It is for this reason that we need to explore the impact that strike action has on a business. We also need to look at how the protest impacts employers, employees and then clients. For employers this will be the reason for low financial turnover for that period. It will be the cause for the loss of clients. It can also be the reason that the business has to endure long time disruption as a result of hitting a deadlock with negotiations. 

For an employee embarking on strike action is a risk. You will not be paid in this period. It is also a challenge when negotiations are ongoing causing disruptions to work creating a backlog. In some instances, not all staff want to embark on strike action. This means that whilst they might not want to strike, they are forced to down tools whilst the process is being played out. There is also often intimidation from striking workers towards those who don’t want to strike. 

For the client protest action inevitably means delays and frustrations. There will be no joy in meeting their client’s needs as a result of the loss of production and customers will lead to financial loss to their organisation. But the impact of protest action does not stop here. It also has an impact on the economy. 

Now that we have unpacked the impact of strike action, we have to identify what are some of the common reasons that lead to employees striking. Employees take the route of striking when they have excessive work hours, low wages, any form of discrimination, lack of tools and resources, mismanagements from seniors etc.  

Ultimately these challenges can be overcome before it leads to strike action. Here are a few ways to help manage the impact of a strike: 

  • The moment there are whispers around a possible strike by employees, get into a room with the union members to understand what the grievances are. This will help you get ahead of the issue and prevent a major setback in service delivery. There is no guarantee that each time things will work in your favour and you would be able to resolve the issues before it escalates to a protest. But what this would show your employees is that you value their role in your organisation and that you want to ensure if they are experiencing any challenges, then you are willing to assist them to overcome it. 
  • Have a good HR team that are properly skilled and able to handle the queries of staff. This will create a more secure environment for staff to channel the concerns and see that it is dealt with. Implement continues training and staff wellness programmes to acknowledge the grievances of staff. This will allow you to monitor their satisfaction as an employee of the organisation.  Improving your staff skills and investing in their wellness will show staff your vested interest in their development. 
  • When staff do embark on a strike ensure that there are protocols that can be put in place do manage the circumstances of a strike. Things like getting a security company involved to prevent vandalism and disruptions are key. Chances are staff won’t be disruptive but criminal elements might see this as an opportunity to create havoc. 

There is no telling how a strike might turn out. having a plan to manage the situation is necessary to try and mitigate the overall impact the strike has on the business. The sooner negotiations happen the better it will be for the staff and employer.

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute, a South African Corporate Training Provider & National Learning Institute. He is the author of Racism, Classism, Sexism, And The Other ISMs That Divide Us, AND My Leadership Legacy Journal available from the ICHAF Training Institute. 

The ICHAF Training Institute offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | 083 303 9159 |

Email: admin@ichaftraining.co.za devan@ichaftraining.co.za |  Website: www.ichaftraining.co.za |  www.devan-moonsamy.com