Dismissal of Tenured Employee with ‘Adl (Justice) at Golden Harvest Distribution

Abstract

This case presents a challenging employment relations dilemma faced by Ms. Aminah Abdul Rahim, the newly appointed Human Resource Director of Golden Harvest Distribution Company, a leading distributor of packaged consumer food products. Shortly after assuming her position, Aminah was required to review a highly controversial dismissal involving Mr. Nasser, a long-serving employee with almost twenty-eight years of service at the company’s Far East Regional Branch. The dismissal arose from an incident of tardiness on 11 July 2022. While management viewed the incident as the latest in a prolonged pattern of repeated lateness spanning four years, Nasser argued that the branch culture had historically tolerated flexibility in reporting times. He further claimed that dismissal was disproportionate given his long years of loyal service and alleged inconsistent enforcement of attendance rules among employees. Aminah faced a difficult challenge. Should organisational discipline and accountability prevail over considerations of loyalty and long service? Does repeated tardiness eventually erode the trust and confidence fundamental to the employment relationship? Or should management have adopted a more rehabilitative and compassionate approach before resorting to dismissal?