In a startling revelation shared on social media, a Singaporean employee has announced that he and his colleagues in the operations and sales teams will face a staggering 20% cut in their monthly salaries for the next two months.

The company's management claims this drastic measure is a consequence of not meeting sales targets, sparking outrage among the staff.

In a post on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum, the employee labeled the pay cut as 'outrageous,' questioning why workers should bear the brunt of the company's financial struggles.

“They say it’s only temporary—two months—but if targets aren’t met, what then?” he wrote, highlighting the lack of clarity and communication from management.

Adding to the anxiety, when pressed for answers about future consequences if targets were missed, the manager reportedly evaded the question, leaving the employees in a state of instability.

"Our manager just refused to respond," he lamented, reflecting a broader concern that the company may be on the verge of collapse.

The employee suspects that management may be trying to squeeze as much performance as possible from the team before shuttering operations and laying off staff.

In an even more alarming development, the company has prohibited work-from-home (WFH) arrangements during this tumultuous period, which many view as unreasonable amidst the uncertainty.

With seven years of experience in the industry, the employee remarked that this marks the fourth time he's encountered such troubling scenarios, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Given the dire situation, the employee is now actively seeking new job opportunities, fearing he does not want to be aboard "this sinking ship."

He reached out to the community for advice, asking if others had experienced similar challenges and how they coped with team dynamics during such a crisis.

In the comments section, many Reddit users expressed shock and sympathy regarding the pay cut.

Several voiced that if they were in the same predicament, they would resign immediately to seek better opportunities.

One comment even suggested that the company might be intentionally forcing employees to quit to sidestep termination liabilities, emphasizing that signs point toward a company-wide downsizing.

Worrying about the implications of a pay cut on future salary negotiations, a Redditor commented, “A 20% cut is a substantial hit. If they look at your last drawn salary for new offers, it might adversely impact your earning potential.”

Amidst these discussions, multiple users recommended that the employee review his employment contract for any clauses related to salary deductions and seek clarity about his rights.

According to guidelines from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, employers can only deduct salaries under specific conditions, such as unauthorized absences or damage to company property.

Moreover, salary deductions must be executed with written consent from the employee, who retains the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

The concerning trend of pay cuts and financial instability in Singapore’s SMEs raises alarms across the workforce, as employees navigate uncertain waters in an increasingly challenging economic landscape.

This incident is not an isolated case, and as more workers find themselves in precarious job situations, it’s crucial to stay informed and assert your rights as an employee.

Are you or someone you know experiencing similar difficulties? Share your experience and let’s start a dialogue!