Meditest Diagnostic Services Limited is suffering financial constraints and is laying off staff.
According to a letter seen by cnyakundi.com, the hospital blames the Covid-19 pandemic and negative publicity for the low customer volumes.
“Over the last several months, Meditest Hospital has experienced financial difficulties due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the actions of some unscrupulous employees led to the hospital being suspended from offering some services resulting in a negative publicity that has impacted negatively on our business”, the termination letter titled Termination of Service On Account of Financial Constraint, said in part.
Last week we highlighted the shoddy manner in which the terminations are being carried out.
The company does not respect the Kenyan Labor laws that require staff are notified first, then a compensation plan is agreed upon before parting ways.
Meditest Hospital is staring at a lawsuit which will potentially make it have to part with more money in compensation to the illegally sacked employees.
Research shows that 2 out of 3 lawsuits favour employees at the Employment and Labor Relations Court.
“A high success rate of lawsuits on employment termination ought to make employers dismiss staff only as a last resort. Two in three cases in which an employer was sued for unfair termination were ruled in favour of the employee” – Chris Orwa, Data Scientist
Regrets
Meditest regretted their sack decision and promised to absorb employees back when things turn positive.
“It is with deepest regret that I inform you that you are among the employees to be laid effective July 7, 2022. The company will pay all your dues in accordance with the employment contract. Kindly accept our appreciation for your contributions during your employment with Meditest and rest assured that you will be accorded priority when we need to increase our workforce”, the letter stated
The hospital is said to have not paid its staff in Kisumu and Mombasa branches.
One thing remains true, their manner of parting ways is illegal as Read here.
“Even with a proper cause, it does show that the burden of proof in a summary dismissal case is higher for the employer” – Chris Orwa, Data Scientist
