News

Singapore publisher sued by former sales exec over unpaid salary

FutureGov mag Instagram photo about trial

FutureGov’s Instagram post alerting its followers to court dispute

Singapore publisher Alphabet Media has been sued by a former sales employee over unpaid salary.

The publisher of government technology brand FutureGov, which was founded by expat James Smith in 2003, has been ordered by Singapore’s labour court to pay salary owed to Singaporean executive Fiona Cher.

News of the case emerged after FutureGov posted an image of the court proceedings on its Instagram page. The post reads: “It’s not all flowers and butterflies at Alphabet – sometimes we have ex-staff break their contract and make unreasonable claims. Happily Singapore’s Labour Tribunal is very even-handed.”

The court found in Cher’s favour, and she is to recoup unpaid wages amounting to S$2,700 (US$2,160).

Cher, who has worked at PR and creative agencies in the past, was with the publishing and events company for 10 months before moving on.

In its defence, Alphabet claimed that the sales executive had breached her contract and had withheld confidential client information. The claims were rejected by the court.

Legal letter to Fiona CherCher shared the letter detailing the court order with her friends on her Facebook page last night. She wrote:

Close friends or ex-colleagues would probably know about the financial cashflow problems I faced a few months ago when my ex-employer refused to pay me my salary and what was rightfully owed to me.

There was no room for discussion – so I escalated this to the Ministry of Manpower. The company then made false claims against me and was unable to produce proper evidence when questioned in the Labour Court today.

Hmmm, did you say something? Break what contract?

Lesson learnt: If someone ever accuses you of something you didn’t do, stand your ground. Stay firm, and don’t give in. And if they can’t be reasoned with, then let the law reason with them. Most importantly, remember evidence speaks for itself. At least, I did.

This afternoon the court ruled in my favour and stated that the company would have to pay me my due salary 

This goes as a shoutout to those who believed in me and stood by me. I’ve now been vindicated and glad that the court is lawful. Thanks guys!

The case wound up on 30 May, but Mumbrella understands that the former Alphabet executive plans to pursue other legal channels to recoup commission and annual leave pay which she claims is outstanding, if the matter is not settled out of court.

Alphabet Media has not responded to Mumbrella’s approach for comment.

  • Disclaimer: Robin Hicks was an employee of Alphabet Media from February 2009 – December 2010.
ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella Asia newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing