Singapore's Dyson disappoints union with 1-day notice layoff

The United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) said in a Facebook post Wednesday that the company only gave it a one-day notice about the layoff on Tuesday, which was "unacceptable."

The move did not give sufficient time for the union, Dyson and the affected workers to discuss the matter to ensure employees’ interest and welfare are supported, it added.

It has brought the matter to the attention of the Ministry of Manpower.

Dyson, which did not disclose the number of workers it had let go, said that the company had "respectfully informed UWEEI in advance."

The company was following all prevailing guidelines from the Ministry of Manpower and providing employees with the support they need, including outplacement services and employment assistance programs, it added.

The layoff came three months after it announced a global restructuring that involved about 1,000 job cuts in the U.K.

The company said at the time that Singapore employees were "not directly impacted" by the plan.

Some employees told Channel News Asia that the retrenchment exercise was done "very discreetly" and came as a surprise.

"People are shocked and have low morale, as they are not sure when their turn might come," a laid-off employee spoke on condition of anonymity.

Dyson is known as a manufacturer of high-end vacuum cleaners, air purifiers and bladeless fans. It opened the first Singapore office in 2007 and chose the country as its global head office in 2019.