Why Paying Staff on Time Isn’t Optional

(Looking at You, Educor - Damelin Icesa Intec and Lyceum ) Opinion piece

Picture this: at worst, it’s 5 months since the last payday, at best 2 months ....and staff are staring at their bank accounts like they’re auditioning for a survival reality show. Welcome to Educor, a cautionary tale of who not to work with and what not to do if you want your business to thrive.

Let's explore why timely salary payments aren’t just nice—they’re non-negotiable.

Bills Don’t Wait, and Neither Do Staff

Your employees have bills, loans, and, you know, that minor thing called food. Expecting them to show up, smile, and perform miracles without paying them is like asking someone to drive cross-country in an e-car in SA. At Educor, delays of up to five months left staff juggling creditors, damaging morale faster than a karaoke rendition of “My Heart Will Go On.” Unsurprisingly, many jumped ship.

Productivity Plummets

Comments from management like "We legally can pay them 7 days late" and then "Oh well we are paying within 30 days of their last salary" and further "Oh well .. not this month" and finally "well ...probably not this year ..." yeah not consoling...

Ever tried working when you’re worried about your family eating or eviction? Exactly. Unpaid staff can’t focus on strategic goals because they’re strategizing how to rewire the eskom box to keep lights on. At Educor, financial chaos translated into disengaged teams missed deadlines, and, ultimately, a crumbling reputation. Pro tip: Happy employees = productive employees.

Talent Runs Faster Than Usain Bolt

The best and brightest won’t stick around if payday feels like a mythical concept. Educor learned this the hard way as talented employees bailed for companies that could, you know, pay them. Recruitment became a revolving door, costing more in the long run. Retaining talent is cheaper than finding new staff—unless your strategy is “How fast can we tank this?”

Customer Experience Tanks

Guess who suffers when staff are unpaid and demoralized? Your customers. Unpaid employees aren’t exactly in the mood to go the extra mile. Complaints pile up, services falter, and your reputation nosedives. Educor’s student grievances were a masterclass in how not to handle customer relationships.

The Law Is Watching

Here’s a wild idea: paying staff late isn’t just unethical—it’s illegal. Labour laws exist for a reason, and ignoring them is like playing poker with your entire business as the ante. Educor’s strip-mining and mismanagement attracted legal scrutiny, leaving a mess bigger than a toddler in a spaghetti-eating contest. And talking about strip-mining ...where are all those expensive massive 190"Tv's and the 5 or 6 Phantom Drones?

Karma’s a Real One

When you don’t pay staff on time, word spreads faster than office gossip. Educor’s brand was dragged through the mud, making it nearly impossible to attract new employees, clients, or even a shred of goodwill. Remember: the internet has a long memory and bad PR sticks.

The Bottom Line

Paying staff on time isn’t just a business obligation—it’s a moral one. Your employees are your business’s backbone. Treating them poorly is like sawing through that backbone and then wondering why your company’s collapsing.

Educor’s tale is a warning: pay your people or prepare to join the hall of business failures. It’s really that simple. Don’t let your company become the next cautionary meme. Pay up, and watch your staff—and your business—thrive.