SPECIALISTS IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Owen, Adendorff & Associates
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Persuasion Techniques
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Negotiation Skills Training
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Chairing Disciplinary Hearings
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Leadership Coaching
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Supervisory Development Courses
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Recruitment and Selection
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B-BBEE Compliance
OUR TEAM
Les Owen
Siphiwe Nkabinde
Risha Harilall
John Hagglund
Kirstin Hagglund
At Owen, Adendorff and Associates, we prioritise empowering businesses and people. Our commitment to personalised service and industry expertise ensures you receive the attention and skills you need to succeed.
OUR STORY
40+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
3 500+
INDIVIDUALS TRAINED
The story of Owen, Adendorff and Associates began in 1986, when we started navigating companies through the tumultuous field of Industrial Relations in South Africa. We were among the first organisations in the country to advise companies to recognise trade unions and collaborate in seeking workplace solutions. Among the companies we have worked with are multinationals including Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Shell, BP, and Coca Cola.
From the challenging times of workers fighting for freedom through the shopfloor, to assisting with the formation of the first peace committee in the war-torn province of Natal during the early 1990s, we helped companies transition in the new South Africa, steering them through the introduction of B-BBEE laws.
We focus on improving relations between trade unions and management, reducing workplace conflict and negotiating industry level structures.
All our training courses use real-life events as role plays. We use andragogic training methods, as opposed to pedagogic. This means delegates learn by interactive role plays and discussions during the course.
Two of our consultants are commissioners at the CCCMA.
MEET OUR CONSULTANTS
Les Owen is a Management Consultant and Training Facilitator, specialising in Negotiations, Business Management, and Conflict Resolution. Les is a Senior Commissioner at the CCMA in Durban.
He is on the Panel of Arbitrators for the Bargaining Councils of the Metal Industry, Transnet, Laundry and Clothing Industries. Les lectured on the MBA program at the Graduate School of Business, UKZN, for 30 years. Among the books Les has contributed to are SA The Good News, Miracles that are Changing a Nation and South Africa @ 20: for Better or for Worse and We Were Always Here.
Siphiwe Nkabinde was employed by Unilever from 1979 to 2001. He started in the Quality Assurance stream. In 1993 he moved from Quality Assurance to Human Resources. He worked as a Human Resource Practitioner with Quality Products (Pty)Ltd from 2001 to 2010 overseeing the HR and IR management of more than 300 employees as well as outsourced workers. In this time, Siphiwe gained experience dealing with conflict at shop floor level, negotiating with shop stewards and union officials, as well as representing the employer at the CCMA and the NBCCI.
Risha Harilall joined OAA in 2021 as a Recruiter, utilising her MBA to connect top talent with suitable opportunities. With a strong grasp of the job market, she effectively matches skilled professionals with organisations to their career goals. Renowned for her communication and interpersonal skills, Risha builds lasting relationships with candidates and employers, ensuring a seamless hiring process. Her attention to detail and commitment to high-quality results make her a trusted partner in recruitment.
John Hagglund holds a BA (Hons), BSocSci (Hons) in Industrial Relations, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Natal, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law Practice from Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen). He is an advocate of the High Court of South Africa. He represents parties before the CCMA, Bargaining Councils, and the Labour Court. His expertise includes chairing disciplinary, incapacity and grievance hearings, wage negotiations, retrenchments, strikes, and drafting employment contracts, policies, and procedures. He has lectured at the University of Natal and other academic institutions and runs various workplace training courses.
Kirstin Hagglund holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) (cum laude). "I am currently working towards my Doctor of Laws (LLD). I work as an Industrial Relations and Labour Law Practitioner, with extensive experience in chairing disciplinary, incapacity, and grievance hearings, conducting workplace investigations, drafting employment contracts, and the creation of workplace policies and procedures. I have lectured law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), I have experience as a Facilitator in workplace training courses, in Labour Law at UKZN Extended Learning, and in Forensics at the University of Johannesburg."
TRAINING PROGRAMS
PERSUASION AND NEGOTIATING
Learn the power of verbal skills when selling, plus the many other techniques available to us to close the deal.
Duration: 16 hours over 2 days
Online and/or In-Person
Presented by Les Owen
HOW TO REPRESENT
YOUR COMPANY AT A DISCIPLINARY HEARING
Recent Labour Court and Constitutional Court decisions have highlighted the importance of properly conducting Disciplinary Hearings, following correct procedure. Learn the exact procedure with us.
Duration: 1 Day
Online and/or In-Person
Presented by Les Owen
HOW TO REPRESENT YOUR PARTIES AT THE CCMA
Appearing at the CCMA can be a daunting and tough experience. Our course teaches you how to succeed at the CCMA.
Duration: According to the client's needs
Online and/or In-Person
Presented by Les Owen
SUPERVISORY DEVELOPMENT
Our program provides supervisors with foundational understanding and practical skills to improve their effectiveness.
Duration: 16 hours over 2 days
Online and/or In-Person
Presented by Siphiwe Nkabinde
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY COMMITTEE
Owen, Adendorff & Associates runs an Employment Equity training course specifically designed for EE Committee members.
As we practice as consultants in the field of Industrial Relations, Employment Equity and B-BBEE, we bring our experiences in all three fields to the training.
Duration: 8 hours over 1 day
Online and/or In-Person
Presented by Winston Owen
CUSTOMISED APPROACH
Our approach is tailored to meet your unique business needs, ensuring you receive the right training and support for your specific circumstances.
TRUSTED RESULTS
Our track record of delivering trusted results speaks for itself. You can rely on us to provide the solutions and support that lead to lasting success and compliance.
CLIENT SUCCESS
Putting your success first is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service and support at every step of your training and compliance journey.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Owen, Adendorff and Associates has been an invaluable asset to Belgotex since 1999. Their professionalism, dedication, and exceptional service have consistently exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend the company.
Molefe Maphoshe
Belgotex
We’ve partnered with Owen, Adendorff & Associates for many years, and their service continues to exceed expectations. Their depth of expertise in Industrial Relations — ranging from CCMA matters and disciplinary hearings to navigating complex labour law changes — makes them an indispensable extension of our team. We rely on their sound advice, strategic guidance, and unwavering professionalism to keep us aligned, compliant, and confident in every decision. Trusted. Consistent. Exceptional.
Anne Tromp
Barrows Global
I would like to express my appreciation for the assistance I’ve received from Owen, Adendorff and his team over the past few years. Most recently, they supported me with a conflict resolution process and a mutual separation agreement, which was handled smoothly and professionally. Throughout the years, their guidance has directed me toward correct procedures, and their extensive knowledge regarding Labour Law has been truly valuable. I am grateful for their consistent support and highly recommend their services.
Vaughan Bennewith
Vagabond Clothing
BLOG
Whistle-Blower Investigations and Reporting
At Owen & Adendorff, we understand that workplace integrity and ethical conduct are critical to every organisation’s success.
Les Owen specialises in whistle-blower investigations and reporting, providing independent, confidential, and results-driven services. Over the years, Les has conducted numerous high-level investigations for large corporate clients, maintaining the highest standards of discretion and compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
His work includes:
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Conducting thorough investigations into whistle-blower disclosures
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Interviewing all relevant parties involved
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Compiling detailed and objective investigation reports
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Presenting findings and recommendations to senior and middle management
Les’s investigations have consistently led to successful and fair outcomes, helping organisations resolve internal matters effectively while reinforcing their commitment to ethical governance and accountability.
Confidentiality and impartiality remain at the core of every assignment undertaken by Owen & Adendorff.
OUR VALUED CLIENTS
