Teacher’s salary cut upheld after three-day absence without notification and sick note

Teacher’s salary deduction upheld for unnotified absence. A teacher from Intsebenziswano Senior Secondary School haslost a labour disputeafter challenging salary deductions imposed for three days of absence from work. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) dismissed the claim brought by educator Samuel Sandile Bontsa against the Western Cape Education Department.

The dispute centred on whether the department acted unfairly when it deducted Bontsa’s salary for three days in July and August 2025 when he failed to report for duty. Bontsa, a post level 1 educator at Intsebenziswano Senior Secondary School, was absent from work on July 28, 2025, and August 4–5 ,2025. It was undisputed that he did not notify the school principal or management about his absence.

The department treated the absences as unpaid leave and deducted the corresponding amount from his salary in November 2025. Bontsa subsequently referred a dispute to the ELRC, claiming the deduction was unfair and seeking reimbursement. During the arbitration hearing held virtually in February 2026, Bontsa represented himself and explained that he could not contact the school because he had lost his phone.

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He testified that the device contained all his contact numbers and email addresses, leaving him unable to inform the principal that he was unable to report for duty. He further said he suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which caused swelling and pain in his legs during the days in question.He also claimed that he did not have the opportunity to go to a clinic or visit a doctor. He also claimed that he did not have the opportunity to go to a clinic or visit a doctor.

However, under cross-examination, Bontsa confirmed that he had lost the phone on June 19, 2025, more than a month before the absences. He also acknowledged that he did not obtain alternative contact details for the school during that time. Meanwhile, acting principal Themba Zitazi testified that staff members were repeatedly reminded during meetings that they must notify the principal before 07:30 if they would not be reporting for duty.

This was necessary to arrange relief timetables to ensure learners were not left unattended. He also stated that Bontsa had a history of failing to notify the school about his absences and had previously been personally reminded of the rule. Zitazi further testified that when Bontsa returned to work after the absences, he did not submit a leave application or provide a medical certificate.

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