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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Behave in a professional manner in a business environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14359  Behave in a professional manner in a business environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Administration 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Office Administration 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard provides a broad introduction to the business environment. It is the starting point for a learner in a selected business sector. The focus is knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in relation to the learner`s own context and experience of the world of work.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Behaving appropriately in a business environment
  • Interpreting body language in the workplace
  • Meeting people in a business setting
  • Applying business ethics in the workplace 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    There is open access to this unit standard. Learners should:
  • Hold a GETC or equivalent qualification
  • Be competent in communication and mathematical literacy NQF level 1 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard is ethics and professional behaviour of people in non-management positions in their interaction with internal and external customers. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Know how to behave in a business environment 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Dress code is described in accordance with established and familiar policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Reasons why it is important to honour one's own working hours are explained with examples of the effects when this is not done. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The importance of a positive attitude is explained and qualities that indicate attitude are identified in a familiar context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Good work practice is described in terms of keeping colleagues informed about work activities such as work in progress, absence from work or workstation and leave. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The reasons why listening skills are important in the workplace are named and examples are given of the results of negative and positive listening skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Regulations regarding smoking in the workplace are described with reference to both legal requirements and established policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The criteria included in a Company Code of Good Conduct are understood and applied in a familiar situation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret body language in a business environment 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Reasons why it is important to interpret body language correctly in the workplace are given with examples from a selected business context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The reasons why good posture and eye contact are important in the workplace are explained with examples from a selected business context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The proper use of a handshake as a greeting in a business setting is explained and the meaning of different handshakes used in South Africa are compared with examples of when it is appropriate to use each handshake. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The reasons why it is important to respect other people's space and why it is inappropriate to touch other people in a business environment are explained with examples of the consequences if one ignores business etiquette. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Examples of positive and negative body language are described in a familiar context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Behaviour that could be considered as sexual harassment in the workplace is described with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Meet people in a business setting 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. An explanation is given as to why first impressions are important in a business environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The procedure for dealing with unexpected guests is explained in terms of established procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Guests are greeted in the reception area according to established and familiar procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Guests visiting a manager/superior are welcomed according to established and familiar procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. People are introduced to each other in a business like manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Different ways of closing an interaction with a customer are demonstrated in a familiar context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of basic business ethics in the business environment 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The concept of ethics is discussed in relation to one's own business environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The meaning of ethical business practices is outlined with examples from a familiar context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Sources of ethical values are explored with examples from a selected business environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The concept of ethical values on-the-job is explained with relevant examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Personal attitudes and factors that affect ethical values in the workplace are described with examples from a familiar business context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The concept of ethical diversity is explored at a basic level of understanding using realistic examples from a business context. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation and Moderation:
  • Accreditation for this Unit Standard shall be from the Services Seta Education and Training Quality Assurer (SSETQA) through assessment by a registered Assessor. Assessment should be contextual and be conducted in the workplace as far as possible.
  • Assessors must be registered as an Assessor and Moderators must be registered as moderators with SSETQA.
  • SSETQA will co-ordinate all moderation activities in accordance with their policies and procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Learners can know and apply:
  • Ethical business practices specific to one`s own industry
  • Professionalism in the workplace 


  • Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Learners can work effectively with others as a member of a team by consistently applying commonly accepted business behaviour in their interactions with colleagues and customers. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Learners can apply business ethics in the way that he/she organises and manages him/herself as a worker in the industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners are able to communicate effectively through the use of appropriate non-verbal body language and by displaying a cultural sensitivity and understanding across a range of social contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners are able to demonstrate the world as a set of related systems by understanding the consequences of not behaving in a commonly acceptable business manner. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  23833   National Certificate: Business Administration Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  67569   National Certificate: Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2015-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  58026   General Education and Training Certificate: Food and Beverage Handling Processes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  FOODBEV 
    Elective  50307   National Certificate: Bread and Flour Confectionery Baking  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  FOODBEV 
    Elective  48763   National Certificate: Retail Shop Floor Practices  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered" 
    2007-05-02  Was W&RSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  49280   National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail Distribution  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  W&RSETA 
    Elective  58206   National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail Operations  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  W&RSETA 
    Elective  48887   National Certificate: Hiring Services and Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  58308   National Certificate: Informal Small Business Practice  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  W&RSETA 
    Elective  49447   National Certificate: Trade Exhibition Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Gemini Training And Development Pty Ltd 
    2. Operational Process Improvements (Pty) Ltd 
    3. Visual Excellence Trading 508 (Pty) Ltd 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.