Former Employees Demand Justice

In a dramatic turn of events in Singapore, ten ex-employees of the renovation firm Interior Times (Kings') have stepped forward, claiming that the company owes them a staggering total of over $118,000 in commissions since August. These disgruntled former workers have not only banded together but have also lodged formal disputes with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs.

Claims of Unpaid Earnings

The allegations come primarily from nine interior designers who departed from the firm in July and August. Each designer claims to be owed amounts ranging from $2,600 to $30,700 for their hard work on at least ten projects. The tension escalated as Mr. Jason Wang, the firm’s director, publicly disputed these claims and insisted that ongoing payment finalizations were the delay's root.

Mediation Underway

A spokesperson from TADM confirmed that they are actively engaged in assisting the ten former employees in their pursuit of unpaid salaries or commissions. Remarkably, one designer has already successfully received payment through mediation, while the rest are still in the waiting phase.

Voices of the Designers

One notable voice among the claimants is 50-year-old Marilyn Kong, who exited the firm in early August. She stated she was denied her commission of approximately $8,200 due in mid-August. "I left after contractors began rejecting my orders due to the company's payment delays, making it exceedingly difficult to manage my projects effectively," she lamented. Many designers have reported that they received minimal responses to their communication attempts with Mr. Wang.

Director’s Defense

In his defense, Mr. Wang argued that the commissions had not been disbursed as the company was still handling incoming invoices from suppliers. He stated, "I’m not running away. The commissions will be paid out once the projects are finalized." He criticized the delays in supplier invoices as a contributing factor to cash flow issues.

Significant Losses and Adjustment of Commissions

Adding to the complexity, Mr. Wang disclosed that the firm has refunded 27 clients who chose to cancel their projects, resulting in a substantial financial hit of $547,060. This financial strain has hindered the company from reaching its projected $4 million sales target for the last quarter of 2024. Consequently, he plans to deduct an incentive of $3,000 previously paid to each designer from their owed commissions due to previously unmet sales targets.

New Beginnings with CDG

In light of these tumultuous developments, many interior designers have transitioned to various subsidiaries under Conquest Design Group (CDG), a new business set up by former Interior Times director Kason Koh. Koh aims to assure homeowners that projects will continue smoothly, absorbing any deposits previously made to Interior Times.

Escaping the Financial Turmoil

Former designer Mr. Lim Jun Ji, who now leads a subsidiary of CDG called 2J Interiors, reported he is owed approximately $25,000 in commissions and expressed deep concern over Interior Times' finances. Another designer, Ms. Samantha Neo, highlighted that she is seeking $30,700 for her work on four projects, revealing how clients have even requested to follow her to her new role at CDG.

Homeowners Seek Stability

Homeowners affected by the upheaval have reportedly started receiving refunds from Interior Times, ensuring that their renovation projects remain on track despite the firm’s internal issues.

As this saga unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the precarious balance between corporate responsibility and employee rights in today's competitive business landscape.