Singapore publisher sued by former sales exec over unpaid salary
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.
Cher 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.
I’ve read a lot of similar comments on Glassdoor about this company. It’s a wonder they have any staff left
ReplyGlad to see someone has finally got money back from Alphabet
ReplytHIS HAPPEN TO ONE OF MY FRENS WHO WORK THERE – DISMISS AND NOT PAID COMMISSIONS
ReplyAs a former employee who is still owed money I am not surprised. I could probably think of half a dozen or more ex-employees who are also still owed money. We should all get together and lodge a case together.
ReplyI read this story with great interests. As a supplier to this company I was unpaid for work I did for them. I have spoken to other suppliers and hotels when I am working and I have heard of many cases of both suppliers and hotels having not been paid.
ReplyI wonder if they read this story and realise maybe there is a way to get money out of these people through the courts.
I know where my next phone call to will be.
So glad someone has finally had the guts to take action and stand up for what is right! They have been allowed to get away with not paying for too long. Imagine all the money that have gone into their pockets from the people they didn’t pay!
A few employees are getting together to handle this, if any former employee or supplier is still owed money please email unpaidbyalphabet@outlook.com and we shall get justice served!
ReplyCharlie: Excuse me, Lieutenant. Is there something wrong?
ReplyMaverick: Yes ma’am, the data on the staff numbers is inaccurate.
Charlie: How’s that, Lieutenant?
Maverick: Well, I just happened to see an empty off…
Goose: We!
Maverick: Uh, sorry, Goose. *We* happened to see an empty office with lots of miserable unpaid staff walking away from it
Charlie: Where did you see this?
Maverick: Uh, that’s classified.
Charlie: It’s what?
Maverick: It’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to sack you.
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