11
Unfair Dismissal at Hyundai?
Hyundai terminated Nomah Gambushe’s employment contract over a purchase she had made; four cars from Hyundai. The company’s management was unhappy that their salesperson had purchased multiple vehicles. Nomah claims she was unaware that employees are not permitted to have business interests outside of work.
The termination
She took to social media to express her grieves. She relays that she reported for work the previous day like normal chasing sales when she was called into her boss’s office where they expressed that her employment contract has been terminated. The boss expresses that they had tried to help the situation, but higher management saw it fit that her contract be terminated.
She expresses that she could not believe it trying to negotiate stating that she needs this job. They explained to her that the reason for termination being her purchase of four cars because they do not believe that there can be a salesman who can afford four cars.
She further expresses that had she known that buying those cars and owning a salon would cost her her job, she never would have taken the risk. I did not know you could not have another business when doing the work that we do”, she says.
To every boss she spoke to she was told that it is out of their hands. An email arrived requesting her termination, so they followed suit. She questioned how this happened when her bosses were the ones who signed off on things? She is still shocked, even considering returning the cars in an effort to get her job back.
She goes on to thank everyone who supported her business and those that she will open she asks that people continue to support her. She also thanks her colleagues.
She expresses that some things you do because you just want to live a better life but you’re actually stabbing yourself. She cried as she relayed her story stating that if anyone wants any car advice, she will refer them to the right people.
Nitizens react
Netizens have since responded to her news with mixed opinions and raised questions.
“I feel there is more to the story, there is no company that can just fire you for a declared side hustle.”
“How dare you be a successful black woman? Just like that lady who was working at a garage and saved up for a car”.
Others call for to take the case to Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) citing unfair dismissal. Others came with their own theories claiming that she was using her resources for private gain; “she used employee discounts to buy those four cars. For example, if a car is sold at 100k and she got it for 70k. then used those cars to run a business which means she costed the company 120K to make her own money. Its conflict of interest. Read about it”.
This has raised some questions about companies and business, especially in our economic climate. It is not uncommon for someone to have both a job and extra income on the side.
