Finance

Fired Over the Phone: Worker Claims Dismissal Was More About Bonuses Than Performance!

2024-12-18

Author: Jia

Incident Overview

A shocking incident in Singapore has surfaced as a worker took to Reddit to share her distressing experience of being dismissed over the phone, leaving her to ponder the motives behind her employer's actions. The call came from a colleague on December 15, catching her completely off guard and sparking outrage on social media.

Worker's Claims and Reactions

The employee vented her frustrations on the r/askSingapore forum, explaining that she was terminated without any notice, and the company decided not to honor her contractually entitled bonus due in a matter of weeks. 'I’m seething over this entire situation,' she expressed. 'My colleague informed me that I was fired because of 'poor performance,' but I suspect the real reason is that they want to avoid paying my 0.5-month bonus.'

Job Changes and Performance Concerns

The worker joined the company on July 1 and faced numerous changes to her job description during her brief tenure, which she claims were made without prior notice. Despite these obstacles, she maintained that her performance was consistently commendable. “I have WhatsApp proof of my contributions, and my boss acknowledged my good work just recently,” she stated, raising questions about the legitimacy of her dismissal.

Other Abrupt Terminations

Adding to her frustration, the worker revealed that she was not alone in facing abrupt terminations—two other colleagues had also been let go under dubious circumstances. Compounding her woes, she noted an issue with her employment contract; while a draft was created, the signed version was never returned to her. This lack of documentation raises concerns as she navigates her next steps.

Seeking Advice and Community Support

In her appeal for advice on Reddit, she sought insights on whether the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) and the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) could assist her in obtaining a signed copy of her contract, which she fears will hinder her case. Responses from the community predominantly advised her to approach TADM, emphasizing that a dismissal without proper documentation or notice might not hold up legally.

Legal Implications

Commenters pointed out critical procedural aspects that the employer must follow before terminating an employee for performance-related issues. Several users echoed the sentiment that simply receiving positive reinforcement from her boss doesn't equate to a formal performance review, underscoring the need for clearly documented evaluations in such cases.

Ministry of Manpower Guidance

Moreover, the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) clarified that an employer can terminate an employee without notice if compensation for the notice period is provided. Still, if the termination lacks substantiated reasons or necessary documentation, it could be deemed wrongful dismissal.

Conclusion

In an economy where job security can seem precarious, this case highlights the importance for employees to be vigilant about their contracts and follow proper protocols when disputes arise. As this worker navigates her challenging situation, many in Singapore are left wondering: How many others are facing similar predicaments, and what can be done to protect employee rights in the rapidly evolving job landscape?