TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Starlux Airlines denied allegations on Sunday (Oct. 29) that it forced crew members to quit, maintaining that trainees who had been dismissed could choose between voluntary and involuntary resignation.
Amid the post-pandemic hiring boom, some participants in Starlux's flight attendant training the previous year claimed to have been compelled to sign "voluntary resignation" forms after failing assessments.
One former Starlux stewardess, identified as Ms. A, cited abrupt changes in the exam system, leading to her failure and subsequent forced departure. Among her batch of 50, two were dismissed due to exam failure. Another former trainee for ground services, Ms. C, reported encountering the same situation.
In addition to flight attendants, ground crew staff also complained of being pressured into resigning. They accused the company of demanding their voluntary departure due to "performance not meeting expectations."
Staff were warned if they chose "involuntary resignation," the process would take two months and could mar their records, potentially raising questions in future applications to other airlines.
Rachel Chen, an executive of a flight attendant training classroom, confirmed that airlines commonly dismiss trainees directly after one to three months if they fail the qualifications.
Starlux responded that employees failing assessments or probation would be dealt with through "involuntary resignation," but the staff has the option of selecting voluntary resignation.
