POPI (Protection of Personal Information Act) provides 8 minimum requirements for businesses to comply with. It is essential that businesses comply with these requirements whenever personal information relating to employees and customers is processed.

A social media policy is a set of standards relating to conduct on social media platforms. It consists of guidelines and principles that employees are obliged to adopt when participating on social media with the objective of protecting the interests of the business.

Employers have legitimate interests when it comes to monitoring their employee’s social media profiles. They monitor to protect reputational interests, intellectual property, trade secrets and to ensure productivity.

However, the use of social media introduces potential risks to business. These risks are far too many to mention and almost impossible to quantify, as most platforms enables users to post content which may business and its stakeholders. So much so that there has been a radical increase in lawsuits relating to damages both locally and internationally over the past 5 years.

All current consumers should provide confirmation that they wish to continue receiving direct marketing from the supplier. Without the existing customer confirmation, it is presumed that the supplier may not contact the customer, in other words if they don’t have your consent they are not entitled to contact you.

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) addresses the consumer’s right to be heard and to obtain redress. Without the ability to enforce the rights as protected by the CPA, the CPA would be all “bark and no bite”. The various methods consumers may use to enforce their rights are listed in section 69.

The Act recognises and protects 9 fundamental consumer rights such the right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions. If businesses commit offences by failing to adhere to the consumer protection laws, harsh penalties will ensue.

The Consumers’ Right to Disclosure and Information is covered by the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). It deals with rights such as the right to information in plain and understandable language. Documents should be written in a straight-forward manner so that the desired intention is understood by the reader without much effort. This means use of complex sentences filled with unnecessary words and phrases should be avoided.

Generally, individuals who are entrusted to run a business, even a small business, have a certain degree of power and control over that business. This creates ethical responsibilities and behavior that may violate or fulfill those responsibilities, such as handling business finances or paying oneself a salary. This in-turn creates a need for warranting standards of ethics and integrity.

A written contract is the best way to protect a business relationship. It outlines the terms of the agreement in plain black and white so that there’s no confusion and no misunderstandings. A well-prepared contract can do a lot more than this. So why do we insist on engaging in business on less than a promise and a handshake?