Certis Group is implementing pay cuts for its senior management and a salary freeze for its senior leadership team in a show of solidarity with customers and stakeholders.

President to take 15 per cent base salary cut

In a Mar. 6 memo seen by Mothership, Certis President and Group CEO Paul Chong announced that Certis Group's Senior Vice Presidents and above will take a 10 per cent base pay reduction, while the rest of the Senior Leadership team will have their salaries frozen.

Chong added that he will take a 15 per cent base salary cut.

These will take effect from Apr. 1, 2020.

"For the rest of Certis, we have decided that there will be no change," Chong wrote, adding that the company will continue providing salary increments and promotions to recognise hard work and deserving individuals who take on bigger roles.

"As the COVID-19 outbreak unfolds, we must be prepared for a rapidly evolving situation," Chong wrote.

"This is especially the time that we rally our Certis spirit to help each other and our communities out."

Full memo

We reproduce the memo in full here:

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past three months, the impact of COVID-19 has been felt all over the world. Industries such as food & beverage, hospitality and travel have been hit significantly. Changi Airport recently saw a 25% dip in passenger traffic, and some retail malls have announced rental rebates to their tenants of up to 50%. Certis is not spared. As we sail through these rough waters, we will manage our operations even more carefully.

Amidst this economic climate, we must show solidarity with our customers and stakeholders, some of whom are affected much more severely than Certis.

With effect from Apr. 1, 2020, Senior Vice Presidents and above have volunteered to take a 10% base pay reduction, while the rest of the Senior Leadership Team will see a salary freeze. As Group Chief Executive Officer, I will take a 15% cut in base salary.

For the rest of Certis, we have decided that there will be no change. We will continue providing for salary increments to recognise and reward everyone’s hard work throughout the organisation. Promotions will also continue for us to recognise deserving individuals who have taken on bigger roles. We have always said that our people are our top priority. This rings true in good times and in tough times.

As the COVID-19 outbreak unfolds, we must be prepared for a rapidly evolving situation. This is especially the time that we rally our Certis spirit to help each other and our communities out.

Let us stand together as One Certis!

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Chong

President & Group CEO

The kicker?

This memo was forwarded to us by [email protected]:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Certis "committed to managing business prudently"

In response to queries by Mothership, Certis said:

Like many other organisations, the COVID-19 global outbreak has also affected Certis. Amid this uncertain economic climate, we will be implementing salary restraint measures for the Senior Leadership Team in a show of solidarity with our customers and stakeholders, some of whom are affected much more severely than us. We are committed to managing the business prudently to steer it through this difficult period.

Top image of Certis Group President and GCEO Paul Chong visiting frontline officers at Changi General Hospital via Facebook.