Former Space and Style Employee Claims She Was Fired While On Maternity Leave As Staff Raise Concerns Over Toxic Work Environment

A former employee of Space and Style has raised serious concerns over alleged mistreatment of workers, delayed salaries, poor customer service and unfair treatment of pregnant employees at the company.

The former staff member, who requested anonymity, claims the company has become one of the most difficult work environments in Kenya, especially for women who become pregnant while employed there.

According to the complainant, female employees who get pregnant are allegedly either dismissed or frustrated until they leave the company.

The former worker claims she personally lost her job while on maternity leave.

“I personally was fired while on maternity. Help me expose the company while hiding my identity,” she said.

The complainant further accused the company’s leadership of publicly promoting women empowerment while allegedly failing to protect women within the workplace.

She specifically mentioned Space and Style Managing Director Winnie Ngumi, claiming that the company’s internal culture has deteriorated under her leadership.

The former employee also raised concerns about the Human Resource department, alleging that the HR manager lacks proper employee leadership experience and works closely with management in frustrating staff.

According to the complainant, staff turnover at Space and Style is high, with many employees leaving the company every month.

“In a month, the number of employees who leave that company is so high. Talk of delayed salaries. That’s not even enough,” she claimed.

The former employee also raised customer-related concerns, claiming that some clients who placed orders last year are still waiting for raw materials or pending deliveries.

She said customers are allegedly given repeated explanations involving raw material delays or KRA clearance issues.

“My customers that I left to date, since last year, are still waiting for raw materials. If you need any evidence let me know,” she said.

The complaint also touches on product quality concerns, with the former employee claiming that questions have been raised around roofing tiles sold by the company and whether they meet required standards.

She further claims customers have previously been told that the roofing tiles can collect drinking water, but that the matter has attracted regulatory attention.

The former worker says the company was once well-managed before the COVID period and before one of the co-directors left to start another company known as Builders Duka.

According to her, after that departure, internal management allegedly changed and staff began experiencing more difficulties.

She claims another shareholder is not fully aware of the internal problems affecting employees and customers.

The former employee also says she attempted to pursue the matter legally after losing her job while on maternity leave, but the cost of hiring lawyers was too high. She claims lawyers asked for KSh 200,000 to take up the case.

She further says the Labour office only drafted a letter to the company, but there was no proper follow-up. Her demand letter to the company was allegedly not responded to.

“I tried to follow with lawyers and Labour, but no help. The lawyers needed KSh 200,000 to take over such a case. Labour only drafted a letter to them with no follow-ups. My demand letter to them was not responded to,” she said.

The complaint raises questions around maternity protection, delayed salaries, staff turnover, HR management, customer service, product standards and internal accountability at Space and Style.

The former employee is now asking the matter to be made public while her identity remains protected.

Space and Style, Winnie Ngumi and the company’s management are mentioned in the complaint.