Reference no: EM132939402

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA) sets minimum terms and conditions that are generally applicable to all employees. Employers and Employees thus do not have complete freedom of contract when they conclude an employment contract; the employment conditions contained in the BCEA will automatically form part of the employment contract. Ms Avantika is an employee at Natro's Steak Ranch and works six days per week. In terms of her contract of employment, she is required to work nine-and-a-half hours per day. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act limits working hours to a maximum of 45 hours per week and 8 hours per day. She is allowed to take a 30-minute meal break at 13h00. After work, Ms Avantika has to walk three kilometres back to her house as there is no public transport available. Ms Avantika is unhappy about her employment conditions. After she told her employer that she was pregnant, he remarked that she would only be entitled to two months' unpaid maternity leave.

Question

As mentioned, Ms Avantika is considering terminating her contract of employment. She is unsure of the ways in which a contract of employment may be terminated. Provide a general discussion, to Ms Avantika, on the ways in which the employment contract can be terminated.