30-day rule
Unfair dismissal disputes must generally be referred within 30 days of dismissal. Late referrals require a condonation application. Confirm the current deadline for your dispute immediately.
What Form 7.11 does
Form 7.11 starts the CCMA conciliation process. It tells the CCMA who you are, who the employer is, what the dispute is about, and what you want. The CCMA uses this information to appoint a commissioner and schedule a conciliation hearing.
The form covers unfair dismissal, unfair labour practice, and other disputes that the CCMA may conciliate. If your dispute involves a Bargaining Council, you may need to refer there instead.
Before you start: gather these details
Having everything ready before you open the form saves time and prevents errors.
Step by step: filling in Form 7.11
This is you. Enter your full name, ID number, physical address, and contact details. Use the name exactly as it appears on your ID or employment contract.
If a union or legal representative is filing on your behalf, their details go here too. If you are filing yourself, leave the representative section blank.
Enter the full legal name of the employing entity. This is the entity on your contract, payslip, or dismissal letter. Do not use an informal name or abbreviation.
Include the employer's physical address and sector or industry. If you are unsure of the legal entity name, check your contract, payslip, or the CCMA's guidance on identifying the correct respondent.
Describe the dispute in plain language. State what happened, when it happened, and why you believe it was unfair or unlawful.
Be specific: "I was dismissed on 15 June 2026 for alleged misconduct" is better than "I was treated unfairly." Include dates, not general timeframes.
Enter the date the dispute arose. For dismissals, this is the date of dismissal. For unfair labour practices, it is the date of the act or omission you are disputing.
This date determines whether your referral is within the correct time period. Get this wrong and your referral may be challenged.
Indicate whether you tried to resolve the dispute internally. If you raised a grievance, attended a meeting, or spoke to HR, note that here. If no internal process was available, state that.
The CCMA may ask about this at conciliation.
State what you want the CCMA to do. Common remedies include reinstatement, compensation, or a declaration that the dismissal or action was unfair.
Be clear and realistic. "Reinstatement with back pay from the date of dismissal" is specific. "I want my job back" is vague.
List the documents you are attaching: dismissal letter, contract, warnings, correspondence, policies, payslips. Only attach what is relevant.
Keep copies of everything you send. The CCMA file is your record.
Sign and date the form. An unsigned form is incomplete. If a representative is filing, they must also sign.
Using the wrong employer name. Entering an incomplete address. Describing the dispute without dates. Forgetting to sign. Sending the form to the wrong CCMA office. Not attaching supporting documents. Assuming the internal appeal pauses the referral deadline.
How to submit Form 7.11
You can submit the form in three ways:
The CCMA will acknowledge receipt and schedule a conciliation date. Keep your proof of submission. If the employer challenges the referral, you will need to show it was filed on time.
What happens after conciliation
A commissioner attempts to resolve the dispute. If conciliation fails, the matter may proceed to arbitration depending on the dispute type and whether con-arb applies. You may need to complete Form 7.13 to request arbitration.
Each stage has its own deadlines and requirements. Do not assume the process ends at conciliation.
Get help before you file
Filing correctly matters. A poorly completed form or a missed deadline can cost you the right to refer. If you need help organising your facts, documents and response before filing, employee-side preparation support is available.