Odette Murray

A self-disciplined and motivated individual who has amassed a wealth of experience, skill expertise and knowledge as a Labour Relations, Human Resources Specialist and full time Office Bearer within the Tertiary Education sector and the arena of teaching, collective bargaining, negotiation, labour relations, human resource development, conflict resolution, grievance procedures and dispute resolution mechanism.  Learning is truly a never-ending process and I find myself evolving and I embrace it.

I have a flexible; participative and transparent management and leadership style that allows for independent and collaborative work situation enhancing capacity building; responsible decision making; empowerment and cohesion.  My training in counselling and CCMA[1] Commissioner training has been most valuable.  I can analyze issues holistically.

My academic studies are diverse – ranging from labour studies, Dispute Resolution including CCMA studies and alternative dispute resolution. Besides giving me a broad academic base to draw form, it also assisted me be more divergent in my thinking, giving one a global perspective.

June 2021 - current

North -West University (NWU)

Lecturer

• Teaching and learning presentation of under-and post graduate modules (assessment, large group presentation & practical).
• Enhancing teaching and learning by presenting undergraduate and post graduate modules.
• Responsible for the undergraduate modules of Resolving conflict, Labour Relations Management & Personnel Psychology.
• Post graduate modules presented Labour relations management with focus on negotiations, collective bargaining, and organizational rights in accordance with labour legislation of South Africa.
• Teaching standard of high quality       
• Advance student academic access, and improve student academic retention and success through excellent student academic development and support initiatives   
• Compile, submit and mark assessments (formative and summative) within timeframe as indicated in NWU guidelines.     
• Advance student academic access and improve student academic retention and success through excellent student academic development and support initiatives. 
• Identifying initiatives and interventions for academic success by means of identifying at-risk students and implement intervention strategies for example SI attendance (facilitation). Improve postgraduate student completion rate towards reduction of the 30% dropout rate.
• Improvement of assessment practices through the appointment of moderators and competent examiners.  Internal moderation of undergraduate modules and internal and external moderation for post-graduate modules.
• Create an enabling leadership culture by developing a shared direction, shared values and alignment and commitment to transform the organizational culture; Foster a participative and developmental leadership style; improve team cohesion, synergy and effectiveness.
• Develop a diverse, transforming, critical thinking, respectful and values driven working climate; instill a culture of or Organisation Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) by promoting cohesion, wellness, diversity, and preferred behaviour among employees.

June 2022 - current

North-West University (NWU)

Special investigations officer: Internal Audit (Consultant)

• Conduct special investigations and report to internal structures and the authorities. Support and make recommendations to improve the anti-fraud strategy. Follow-up special enquiries, deviances identified through continuous monitoring, and irregularities and misconduct reported in the University environment. 
•  Conduct special investigations on reported allegations.
•  Conduct special investigations following NWU process guidelines.
• Third-party confirmations and verification of supporting documentation/evidence received during investigations.
• Quality financial losses suffered by the NWU.
• Confrontation meetings to clarify allegations, communicate report findings & recommendations to management prior to the issuance of draft & final reports
• Maintain detailed working papers and evidence files as preparation of hearings and court proceedings.
•  Use data analytics to identify anomalies observed during investigations.
• Communicate possible fraud risks during reporting.
• Prepare Advisory Memo’s for Ad-hoc enquiries completed.
• Advise management of fraud risks identified during special investigations.
• Version control special investigation reports.
• Reference evidence collected and maintain a register for each investigation conducted.
• Adhere to professional standards of conduct & reporting.

September 2013 – March 2021

South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (SAPTU)

Executive Officer:  Labour Relations

• Compiled case files which includes but are not limited to preparing documentary evidence, investigations, witness statements and interrogation.
• Representative for +/- 1300 members.
• Represent members in any internal proceedings including disciplinary hearings, departmental hearings, mediations.
• Represent members in CCMA proceedings.
• Represent members in grievances and incapacity proceedings.
• Ensure confidentiality is always maintained.
• Responsible for recruitment of members.
• Monthly communication to members.
• Member of Workplace forums which dealt with issues such as promoting the interests of all employees in the workplace, to consult the employer with a view to reach consensus and to participate in joint decision making.
• Member of Institutional Bargaining forum with the main function of negotiating and regulation of conditions of service, and yearly cost of living adjustment (salary adjustment).
• Member of Institutional Employment Equity and Skills development Forum (IEESDF).
• Together with the HR and LR department of the University manage the following administrative procedures and ensure that the correct processes are followed, and the relevant policies are applied.
  • Job evaluations & Performance evaluations
  • Individual Remuneration Reviews
  • Medical disability
  • Dismissals
• Provide expert advice, support, and guidance to members in employment regulations and employee relations areas such as disciplinary/grievance cases to ensure fairness and consistency. Ensure that all cases are handled according to the approved policies and procedures and concluded within a reasonable and acceptable time.
• Facilitate discussions, collating witness statements, drafting of case reports and following up on the sanctioned actions.
• Compile monthly and yearly reports and statistics in terms of cases dealt with.

Reported monthly on these reports to an Executive Committee.

2005 - 2006

North-West University, Potchefstroom, South-Africa

B.Com Honours Degree:  Industrial Relations

2002 - 2005

North-West University, Potchefstroom, South-Africa

B.Com Behavioural Science Degree

1996 - 2001

Klerksdorp High School, Klerksdorp, South-Africa

National Senior Certificate – Matriculation Grade 12