Bad Christmas by Epicentre

I would like to share my painful experience as a staff member at Epicentre and hope that my little voice will be heard.

My name is Snenhlanhla Mngadi, I was given an employment opportunity at Epicentre in Nov 2020 and I grabbed it with both hands as I was previously unemployed.

I signed a one-pager employment contract which had my job function and designation in the company and proof that I had successfully completed the training. On the contract it stipulated the remuneration amount and that we would receive our salaries on the last Friday of the month.

Some employees did successfully receive their salaries on the 30th of Nov 2020 and others on the 1st of Dec 2020 and this was purely due to the different banking institutions that you may use. Unfortunately I only received my first salary on the 4th of Dec 2020 after questioning my payment.

An internal investigation was conducted on the system as to what was captured and which banking institution and banking details I gave them. The result of my payment not being received is that Cindy, who processes payments at Epicentre captured my income tax number instead of my banking account number and an immediate payment was made for me.

We were informed that most Departments will be closing on 24 Dec 2020 and that our salaries will be paid earlier so that we can make arrangements for any Christmas shopping . Again, everyone received their salaries on time except me.

I informed Cherie Cawood, the CEO of Epicentre on Christmas Day regarding my payment and she confirmed that she will be going into the office on the 26th of Dec 2020 and she will check but in the interim I should forward her my banking account number so she can do an audit on the system.

She gave me feedback on the day and confirmed that payment will reflect on Monday 28 Dec 2020. I had the most depressing Christmas as I was unable to contribute anything for Christmas not even a loaf of bread since I was not paid.

On Monday morning 28 Dec 2020, I did not receive any notification regarding my payment. But instead I received a very rude message from Cherie Cawood.

I have screenshots of the message where she says she is surprised why I am not at work and I have not been given permission to work from home or any leave approved and that this is a 2nd occurrence and that she will be issuing me a Notice for a Disciplinary Hearing. She further added that I will be deducted un-paids on my salary from these days 28-31 December 2020.

I politely responded to her message informing her that I still haven't received my salary and I am stuck in the rural areas meaning I don't have any means of getting to work. I emphasized that I did not deliberately not come to work but I have honestly not been paid. She then decided to block me instead of trying to assist me as a leader in the group.

Later on the day I received notification on my phone that my salary was paid and the time was just after 15h00pm. On the 29th of December I received I message from Mr David Khanyile issuing me a Notice for Disciplinary Hearing on 31 December 2020.

First of all I never signed a Code of Conduct informing me of the repercussion of my actions or for any breaches in my employment contract. Just because I couldn't afford to make it to work because I was not paid on time I am now served a Notice of Disciplinary Hearing.

Again it was really heartbreaking for me that I couldn't even contribute anything to my family for Christmas because I was not paid on the 24th. Epicentre especially Cherie Cawood has really not shown any sympathy to my matter and did not at all portray the spirit of Ubuntu or the company values.

This is really demotivating to me as I have ensured that I execute whatever is required of me at Epicentre and even exceed your expectations.

At previous employments be it a Temp or Permanent position there is a Code of Conduct that needs to be signed as per the Department of Labour, but I have not signed one at Epicentre. So immediately issuing me with this Notice is a breach of my Human Rights and feels like discrimination. I was not able to make it to work due to a breach in contract from Epicentre not paying me as per the contract I signed.

My Christmas was not pleasant at all, I was working far from home with the hop to put a smile on their face but I couldn't. To Epicentre this might be small change, but to the minority out there in the group like myself and others it can make a difference as times are really tough. But I guess Cherie and Epicentre wouldn't understand as you received your full salaries on time.

I really hope this matter will be resolved and treated with the sympathy and respect it deserves so that I do not have to utilize other channels to get myself heard.