'There is no slavery in Singapore': Redditor who resigned says company won't let him leave without serving notice
A Redditor who has resigned and wants to pay a month's salary in lieu of notice has claimed that their employer is refusing to let them do so.
Redditor @faircloughfanboy made the post on Nov 21 on behalf of a friend, who says their company cited the employee's handbook, which states that "the company reserves the right to reject my immediate notice if they need to find a replacement".
The employee, a fresh graduate who started working at their current company in July, said they received an offer from another company which was "pretty much my dream job: dream company, role, industry, everything".
Their new company wants them to start immediately and has offered to bear half the payment in lieu of notice.
In response to the current employer's refusal, the employee cited a line in their employment contract: "In the event of conflict between a term of this Agreement and a term in the Employee Handbook, this Agreement shall prevail."
However, the employer has not responded, and the Redditor is worried they may lose both the current job as well as the offer.
'Employees have the right to resign at any time'
Multiple commenters cited Section 11 of the Employment Act, which states that the employee is within their rights to make payment in lieu of notice and leave the company immediately.
Several pointed out that the Redditor was an employee and not a slave. "Your company cannot don't let you go. They don't own you as their property and we don't have slavery in Singapore," said a Redditor/
Another said there was no way of stopping the employee leaving. "What can they do if you don't show up for work? Deduct your salary?"
Several Redditors advised the original poster to be wary of their new employer. "Am I the only one who thinks it's weird that your 'dream company' can't wait 3 more weeks. If it's an MNC there's no reason they can't wait awhile for the new employee to serve notice," said one.
"Frankly, i think you should properly research about work culture in new co, and why they need staffs so urgently," said another.
A third was even more blunt: "If a company cannot wait for your 1 month lieu, that company got problem."
One Redditor advised the employee not to post anything on LinkedIn to prevent their current company from doing anything that might affect his employment with their new boss.
"To add on to everything mentioned earlier by others, i wouldn't update my linkedin til i pass probation in Company B. No point letting Company A know where you're going, don't want them to sabotage your role in B!" said the Redditor.
