Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Israel Seiso is looking for justice after he lost his executive position at his company so it could be given to a personal assistant.

A father of four from Orlando West, Soweto, Seiso was head of logistics at Swiss Re, an insurance company in Illovo, Johannesburg, for five years.

Last month his job was advertised and he was informed that if he still wanted the position he would have to apply for it.

Seiso was told that responsibilities for the job would change and therefore he would not be capable of carrying them out.

"I applied for the job and was told that I did not get it. All they added in the latest job description was that the person who occupies the post would be responsible for operational risk management," Seiso said.

Thozama Nene, head of human resources at Swiss Re, denied that Seiso had been retrenched.

"I don't know anything about Seiso's retrenchment. He still works for the company."

Sowetan has confirmed with other employees at the company that they received e-mails from management informing them about Seiso's retrenchment, and that Collen Lotz is currently occupying Seiso's position.

Lotz was a personal assistant to Willem Castelyn, Seiso's boss.

Ana Milovanovic, a labour lawyer at Webber Wentzel Bowens, said: "If conditions of employment are amended by the employer, then the employer is responsible for re-skilling the employee."

Seiso said the company gave him the option of working like any other employee in the company.

"I won't settle for a demotion and will take the matter further."