The Johannesburg Labour Court has ruled Steve Parkinson, general manager of Damelin’s Boksburg campus, who was fired in 2012 for missing sales targets, had been unfairly dismissed, according to a Sunday Times report. In his ruling, which exposed the massive pressure managers at one of SA’s biggest private education companies are under to enrol new students, Judge Adolph Landman quoted from some of the letters Parkinson was sent by executives in the run-up to his dismissal.

Nolan Charles, then chief commercial officer of the Educor group – Damelin’s owner – told Parkinson in November 2011 that pre-enrolments for 2012 were behind the target. ‘This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue,’ he wrote. ‘What do you expect me to tell the CEO and chairman of Educor? They are not accepting any of my excuses on your behalf. You are letting me, yourself and your team down.’ Charles informed Parkinson that if he did not increase pre-enrolments by 30% within two weeks, ‘all your annual leave will be cancelled for November/December/January’ and he would be given notice ‘that we intend to dismiss you’.

Parkinson missed his target and was fired after being charged with poor work performance. The CCMA confirmed his dismissal, but the Labour Court ordered his reinstatement, saying Damelin had violated its disciplinary procedure. Landman said that Charles’ letter was ‘an unacceptable approach’. He ordered Parkinson’s reinstatement.

Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)