Advice on Salary settlement

[flying chicken]

So I have been working with an NGO for the last 4 months, I was given an 2nd hand laptop, the last week my contract due to finish my laptop got seriously infected wiping out all of my personal and work files but managed to retrieve some files back after a week at a computer repair shop. However, during the fixing process the hard drive got damaged and affected the motherboard which will need replacement in order for it to work again (keep in mind that the laptop wasnt in good shape when first given, I actually had to get fixed once before that due to hard drive error, costing $55). I brought to another computer repairshop which is an acquaintance of mine said the cost of the whole repair will probably cost to that of a brand new laptop.

The org where I worked wont pay my half month salary unless I return back to the laptop to its original condition when first given -- the org book manual stated that employees are accountable for the Org's properties, and salary MAY be deducted for the cost of repair.

If I was going to get this laptop fix, it will takes time as repairshops in SR dont have a compatible mother board for my Laptop brand, even when it is all fixed I estimate I will probably left with like $10 bucks after deduction if any at all.

Regarding to my inquiry, 1) the laptop is 2nd hand and was not in perfect condition (he refused to believe, it was brought from Thailand returned by a Thai employee) , 2) i didnt break it intentionally which they all believed because I was in charge of buying electronic equipments, furniture etc worth 10 of thousands dollars and nothing ever gone missing. In work place use items are expected to get damage, broken etc. Are they being reasonable for not paying the owed salary or is there a recourse I can get my owed salary?

Cheers

[Vox Clamantis]

What does it say on your (signed) contract? Therein probably lies your answer.

[flying chicken]

In one of the clauses it says employees are expected to be familiar and abide with xxx manual book. They pulled that out during the meeting yesterday.

Which by the way I was never given. When I asked why did you not give it or lend it to me (it was like 120 pages two-sided manual book). They simply answered because you never asked for it.

[Vox Clamantis]

Probably best to take it as a life lesson, forego the salary and move on.

[flying chicken]

Easy to say. But not when that mere few hundreds owed is all that you have left to get by.

[Vox Clamantis]

Perhaps but I don't think you'll have a great case to fight and you may end up spending (valuable) time arguing your (not necessarily winnable) cause rather than focusing on getting a new job quickly. Your call though and good luck regardless.

[Playboy]

Oh, hang on, is this the right thread ...

[Playboy]

[flying chicken]

Keep calm until we get evicted and the pregnant wife starve to death

[Soi Dog]

... the last week my contract due to finish my laptop got seriously infected wiping out all of my personal and work files but managed to retrieve some files back after a week at a computer repair shop.

Yeah. When you spend so much time while at work surfing the net, posting on chat forums and downloading free porn you are bound to pick up the occasional computer virus or two.

[Goodoldkenny]

>>> the org book manual stated that employees are accountable for the Org's properties, and salary MAY be deducted for the cost of repair.

I think you could argue that a computer that has an error or fault that caused it to fail is not the sort of damage you should be accountable for.
If you dropped it or lost it, then sure, according to the contract you signed you have to make good.
What about the girls in the office? If a monitor blows up on them while they're typing are they held accountable?
Ask the CEO if, when he returns his 4 wheel drive after 3 years must it be in new condition.
Must he fit it with new tyres and muffler before he hands it over?

KennyF

[hotdigr]

Chicken man, for what it's worth, if you got infected using the pute for legitimate work business ( as opposed to surfing porn or sites like this one) then you shouldn't be held accountable for the damage done. Show them receipts from the repair shop that can back you up, maybe get the repair fella to write a report stating what he, in his expert opinion, believes was the cause of the problem and perhaps explaining how the hard drive got damaged during the repair process. I know that last point means he basically has to admit it was his fault, so I don't think you have much chance of that, but at least something in writing to say the ORIGINAL damage wasn't your fault. In all honesty though, if yesterdays meeting was about the computer, it looks like, from their attitude, you are screwed mate.

[Bitteeinbit]

Keep fighting a bit, saying it's not due to your own personal negligence (though they might argue that getting infected with a virus was...). If they keep being hardballs just go to a few computer shops and ask how much it would cost for them to repair it, and how much they would be willing to buy it off you for. Then find which number is highest:
-Salary-repairs=??????
-Laptop sale price=????
So either repair it and take what they give you or keep the laptop and sell it. Would this potentially get you in trouble with the cops? Touchy situation but I figure as Vox says, this is one of life's lessons learned the hard way.

[flying chicken]

>>> the org book manual stated that employees are accountable for the Org's properties, and salary MAY be deducted for the cost of repair.

I think you could argue that a computer that has an error or fault that caused it to fail is not the sort of damage you should be accountable for.
If you dropped it or lost it, then sure, according to the contract you signed you have to make good.
What about the girls in the office? If a monitor blows up on them while they're typing are they held accountable?
Ask the CEO if, when he returns his 4 wheel drive after 3 years must it be in new condition.
Must he fit it with new tyres and muffler before he hands it over?

KennyF

I raised those similar questions yesterday to the Pinoys managers. I asked what if the accidentally broken a desktop during work will she or he be accountable for it, they answered the desktops are new and come with 1 year warranty, I then further asked what about after the warranty ended they said then the employee will be responsible for it according $200 millions funded manual book.

Funny enough I did ask about the 4wd -- they called me a smart ass and their insurance will cover it.

I even offered them yesterday to deduct half of my salary and settle it but they flat out refused. I am at lost and hate to do something really nasty out of rage.

[Playboy]

... do something really nasty out of rage.

As I already said; Kill it, kill it with fire !