I have a 2 year fixed term contract. I was told by my boss that this would be reduced to 50% as they want to use the finances for the other 50% for another hire, for a role I am not skilled in or was hired to do. Can he do this without my agreement? What recourse if any do I have? If he goes ahead and reduces this down to 50% - can I claim employment benefits for the other 50% while I look for another job?

a) You have to agree, but if you don't they are free to reduce you to 0% with sufficient notice

b) If you agree, the notice period still applies. This was pointed out to me by the ALK.

Case in point, they wanted to reduce me to 50% starting october, but due to the notice period it had to start in December, and every month since they give me a new agreement extending things another month, so I am still at 100% until last month, now 50% + another 50% at a subsidiary company!

(I have too much to do, and one guy just left, so that is good for me)

c) Once you are at 50%, you can get unemployment benefits, but need to start looking for work as soon as you receive notice. So while I am in perpetual notice, I keep applying just in case things get to that point, 2x/week.

Tom

There is no unemployment benefits for these working 200% being paid 100% .. rotfl

You don't have to agree, but if you don't disagree the new conditions can be deemed to have been accepted. Many contract changes go this way. There might be something in your contract about changes.
If you disagree they can fire you with the required notice period, or let things carry on as they are (according to original agreement).
If you agree you can do it whenever you want but if within the normal notice period there might be penalties in respect to RAV.

OP, check the fineprint, what does your contract say exactly?

For instance
a) this employment contract ends february 32, 2019.
b) this employment contract ends not later than february 32, 2019. It can be canceled by either party with x months notice period to end before that date.

If you have something like a) your employer probably doesn't have the right to change it. However if it's something like b) they probably do.


(your location says Durban, perhaps update)

Thank you - this is useful

Seems to be a nice way of saying "Find another job".