Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Forced Resignation?

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Kloof, Durban
    Posts
    1
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Forced Resignation?

    Good day

    I've been with my current company for almost 20 years and on Friday, 21 September 2018 I received a call from my boss advising me that the company is not doing well. That he and his brother [co-owner] have put quite a sum of money into the company, but it hasn't help and would I consider a 20% pay-cut and work 1 day less a week.
    I advised him that I couldn't afford it, but would think about it.
    I then mailed my boss confirming that I couldn't afford a pay-cut, that I hadn't received and increase in 6 years, apart from salary review I received when I moved to Durban and took on another job role. I then requested voluntary retrenchment.
    My boss phoned me and stated that he didn't expect my reply, that I am important to the company, they didn't want to lose me, and that the pay-cut wouldn't affect me. And asked if he could ignore my mail, which I agreed to.

    Then on Wednesday, 26 September 2018 my boss mailed me [referring to my email that he asked to ignore] stating that the company is not in a situation to offer any retrenchment package. That they have re-evaluated the situation and have no option but to implement a 3-day week, effective 1 October, 2018.
    Part of my response was that I understand the company's financial status, and am happy for them to pay my retrenchment package over 5 months - 26-Sept-18.

    The reply I received on 28 September is that the sales period 1 January 2018 date have not been sufficient to cover overheads. That they've had many meetings have been held this year looking at reducing overheads and creating new business, to address the monthly losses the company has been making. He also stated that this cannot continue so it is Management’s decision that the only way to rescue the business is to go on short time. That it is not what anyone wants but it is one of the measures we are embarking on to save the company and the jobs of our employees.
    I requested a breakdown of what my take home salary would be before commission, and now most certainly cannot afford the pay-cut.

    I, therefore, requested that my contract [updated 24 May 2018] be terminated in the hopes that I can claim UIF - my mail was dated 1 October 2018 as I was advised that the new working conditions would take place from 1 October 2018. As of close of business today [2 October 2018] I have not yet had any response.

    Is all of this above-board, have I been treated fairly? I would appreciate any advise regarding.

    Many thanks
    Janine

  2. #2
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Based on what I've seen -

    An underlying principle of short time and lay-off as cost savings measures is that they should be temporary, not the new normal. With this in mind, putting staff on short time or lay-off should have a limited duration from the outset. If matters haven't improved within that period, perhaps there might be one more round, but after that staff have reasonable grounds to ask for retrenchment proceedings to be started rather than the company continue trying to bridge their "temporary" problem with continued short time.

  3. #3
    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    3,479
    Thanks
    134
    Thanked 695 Times in 593 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    I have seen this situation before.
    I currently see many companies in this situation, and it will get worse before improving again, as the economy takes time to change to the better.

    Whilst the retrenchment package is being requested, if the company has no money, it may be the reason that they are declining the request.
    Another factor in their decision, is the 20 year service, if I am not mistaken, equates to 1 week's pay for every year served, they just may not have any funds left, after having invested as you have stated to maintain the business open.
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

  4. Thanks given for this post:

    Andromeda (03-Oct-18)

Similar Threads

  1. [Question] Resignation or retrenchment?
    By Ters in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 23-Jul-18, 02:35 PM
  2. Payment after resignation
    By PPather in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 23-Feb-18, 10:59 AM
  3. Forced Retrenchment vs Resignation
    By CvdM in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 21-Aug-17, 04:05 PM
  4. Resignation and withdrawal of resignation
    By markanthony in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 22-Nov-12, 09:37 AM
  5. [Question] Forced to lie - Unfair!
    By nvdwalt1@gmail.com in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-May-10, 05:47 AM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •