Ex-beautician jailed for attacking boss over work-contract spat

SINGAPORE — Furious about having to pay compensation for breaking her job contract, a beautician grabbed her boss by the hair, slammed her head against the office furniture and hit her head with a glass perfume bottle.

For her “vicious and sustained” attack on the victim, a district judge on Thursday (Sept 22) sentenced Chinese national Zhang Xiao Wei to two months’ jail and ordered her to pay her boss’ medical fees of S$105, but the 43-year-old intends to file an appeal in the High Court.

District Judge Adam Nakhoda had stern words for Zhang, noting that she claimed trial even though she knew she was unlikely to win the case.

He added that Madam Teh Pei Ling, the victim, was emotionally affected while testifying in court.

In July 2013, Zhang was hired as a beautician at ICASS Beauty Salon at Block 681 Hougang Avenue 8, but her work was shoddy.

She was given two options: Either return to China or undergo training as a trainee beautician. She chose the training option, which came with a three-year contract starting August 2013, and which paid her S$2,500 a month. A compensation fee of S$5,000 must be paid if Zhang left before the term was up.

In March last year, Zhang wanted to quit. Madam Teh said that on March 25, Zhang entered her office at the salon and asked about filing income tax. She suggested that Zhang pay a fee for the shop’s accountant to file it on her behalf and Zhang agreed.

Madam Teh then asked her to sign her payslips from December 2014 to March 2015, and reminded her about the compensation fee upon contract termination.

Zhang left the office but returned shortly to say she would not pay the sum, and insisted on serving one month’s notice before quitting. After an argument, she grabbed her boss’ hair with both hands and started grappling with her.

Two employees testified that Zhang had pulled Madam Teh’s hair and banged her head against the window, fan and printer. The window blinds were dented from the impact. There was blood on Madam Teh’s head and hands. At one point, Zhang picked up a perfume bottle and hit her head several times.

One of the employees told Zhang: “This is Singapore. You will be in jail for hitting someone.”

She retorted: “At most, I will go to jail for one day.”

The attack left Madam Teh unconscious, with abrasions on her face and a cut on her scalp.

During the four-day trial, Zhang denied the accusations. She claimed that she was made to sign the March 2015 payslip even though she was not paid that month, and was slapped and hit by her boss when she raised this.

In his judgment, District Judge Nakhoda said that there was no reason to doubt that Zhang had been unhappy with her boss at that time.

“The straw must have broken the proverbial camel’s back when she was asked to sign for her March salary (even though) she had not (received) it,” he said.

However, he rapped Zhang for the “unprovoked” attack and for fabricating evidence during the trial, where she professed to be the victim.

Bail for her has been set at S$10,000.