ONE WOMAN QUESTIONS CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER RECENT FIRING
One woman who was laid off earlier this year started questioning the circumstances of her firing after it happened, and even now is unsure about her employment rights.
The 34-year-old woman, who gave her name only as Ms Alice, told CNA that she had worked at an events company for more than a decade before being told of her termination.
The company had already been struggling and had let go a few employees late last year, but the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made things much worse. However, while Ms Alice was also shown the door, her ex-colleagues kept their job - albeit on reduced wages - leading her to question the circumstances of her departure.
Ms Alice, then a full-time project manager, said she was not given alternatives of taking pay cuts or no-pay-leave.
READ: Singapore ready to do more if COVID-19 outbreak worsens: DPM Heng
The pregnant woman said she was told that the reason for her termination was that "business was bad" because of COVID-19, and was told "up to you" when asked when her last day would be.
Asked if she felt her former company violated any laws, Ms Alice said: "I think it's very hard to say with all this virus going on. Maybe they are not aware?"
She said she felt that it was unfair when she went home and thought about it.
"When I was let go, I agreed to everything because ... it's on the spot. When I went home, I was thinking - What should the company be doing for me instead, because I am pregnant, so can they even terminate me at this point of time?"
At the time of her dismissal, her husband had been jobless, and only just received a job offer recently.
"I'm still looking for a job," said Ms Alice, who has two sons. "Hopefully I get something."
She said she does not wish to take action against her company as she had worked there for many years, but lawyers say she might have a case for wrongful dismissal.
Invictus Law director Darren Tan said the description of Ms Alice's termination is a violation of employment laws, but added that it also depends on the company's reason for her termination.
One woman who was laid off earlier this year started questioning the circumstances of her firing after it happened, and even now is unsure about her employment rights.
The 34-year-old woman, who gave her name only as Ms Alice, told CNA that she had worked at an events company for more than a decade before being told of her termination.
The company had already been struggling and had let go a few employees late last year, but the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made things much worse. However, while Ms Alice was also shown the door, her ex-colleagues kept their job - albeit on reduced wages - leading her to question the circumstances of her departure.
Ms Alice, then a full-time project manager, said she was not given alternatives of taking pay cuts or no-pay-leave.
READ: Singapore ready to do more if COVID-19 outbreak worsens: DPM Heng
The pregnant woman said she was told that the reason for her termination was that "business was bad" because of COVID-19, and was told "up to you" when asked when her last day would be.
Asked if she felt her former company violated any laws, Ms Alice said: "I think it's very hard to say with all this virus going on. Maybe they are not aware?"
She said she felt that it was unfair when she went home and thought about it.
"When I was let go, I agreed to everything because ... it's on the spot. When I went home, I was thinking - What should the company be doing for me instead, because I am pregnant, so can they even terminate me at this point of time?"
At the time of her dismissal, her husband had been jobless, and only just received a job offer recently.
"I'm still looking for a job," said Ms Alice, who has two sons. "Hopefully I get something."
She said she does not wish to take action against her company as she had worked there for many years, but lawyers say she might have a case for wrongful dismissal.
Invictus Law director Darren Tan said the description of Ms Alice's termination is a violation of employment laws, but added that it also depends on the company's reason for her termination.
KNN not exaggerating lo my uncle witnessed it KNN
