Workers at Powerstar Express branch along Canopy in Zimmerman have raised a series of concerns over their working conditions, stating breaches of employment agreements, excessive working hours, unexplained salary deductions and poor handling of staff grievances.
A staff member who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation says several employees share the concerns and that they have created growing frustration among workers.
According to the complaint, employees' contracts provide for an eight hour working arrangement, but workers are being required to work 12 hours a day for six days, leaving them with only one day off each week.
“The agreements stipulate clearly that all and sunday will be working for 8 hours a week however, we are being overworked for 12 hours in a day for 6 days with only one off day.”
The worker says employees who attempt to raise concerns about working hours, leave or compensation for additional hours reportedly face resistance from senior officials, with management becoming difficult when workers seek to exercise their leave rights or ask about compensation for extra work.
The complaint further states that there have been sexual harassment complaints involving a senior official at the branch, but that no meaningful disciplinary action has reportedly followed.
This is a particularly serious allegation because employees should be able to report harassment without fearing retaliation, victimisation or loss of employment, and complaints of this nature should be handled through proper internal procedures and, where necessary, by the relevant authorities.
Workers question salary deductions ¶
Another major concern involves deductions made by the stocks representative team.
The complainant says employees are shown a book containing proposed deductions, with the understanding that the amounts are subject to discussion, but claims deductions are subsequently approved without obtaining the affected employee's consent.
“Deductions from one's salary are done without your approval and authenticity. There's a book that goes round where one is informed of his/her deductions, subject to discussion, however, the stocks team proceeds and approves those deductions without your consent.”
The worker says some of the deductions can reportedly reach KSh10,000, which can represent a significant portion of a worker's salary.
Employees are now asking management to provide a clear explanation for the deductions, the basis on which they are imposed and whether workers are given an opportunity to challenge them before money is removed from their pay.
Employees say they do not receive payslips ¶
The complaint also raises concerns about documentation of salaries, with workers stating that they are not consistently provided with payslips or P9 forms.
This leaves employees unable to properly verify how their gross salary was calculated, what deductions were made, what statutory contributions were remitted and how their annual tax position was determined.
The affected workers are asking management to provide proper salary documentation so that employees can independently verify their earnings and deductions.
Questions over Britam policy ¶
The workers also say that they were taken to Britam and enrolled into an insurance or related policy without being given a satisfactory explanation beforehand.
The complainant says employees had to demand an explanation regarding the policy, but claims the response provided by management was not adequately explained to them.
Workers are therefore asking for clarity on what policy they were enrolled in, who authorised it, how premiums are being paid and whether deductions are being made from their salaries in relation to the arrangement.
Concerns over management conduct ¶
The complainant specifically raises concerns about the conduct of the stocks representative identified as Mr. Jared, alleging that rudeness and what the worker describes as "chest thumbing" have become common when employees raise concerns.
The worker also says internal conflicts among staff have been increasing while there has been little intervention to resolve the disputes.
The result, according to the complaint, is an increasingly strained working environment where employees feel that their concerns are not being addressed through proper channels.
Authorities should examine the allegations ¶
The concerns raised by the workers touch on several areas that can be independently investigated, including working hours, leave arrangements, overtime compensation, salary deductions, workplace harassment and employment documentation.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, through the relevant labour office, can examine complaints concerning employment conditions and alleged violations of labour rights.
The Labour Relations and Employment structures can also establish whether the actual working arrangements at the branch correspond with the contracts issued to employees and whether workers are being compensated appropriately for hours worked beyond their contractual schedules.
Where allegations of sexual harassment are formally reported, the matter should be handled through the appropriate workplace procedures and, where necessary, referred to relevant authorities.
The workers are not asking for special treatment. They want the terms of their employment contracts respected, lawful deductions properly explained, salary records provided and complaints handled without intimidation.
Powerstar Express management should therefore address these allegations openly and provide workers with clear answers on working hours, overtime, leave, deductions, payslips, P9 forms, the Britam policy and the reported sexual harassment complaint.