About the only thing getting a workout at the Southampton Princess' Body Tech Health Club appears to be the reputation of owner Victor Ruberry.

In a recent letter to The Royal Gazette former summer employee Taj Mah Smith alleges a litany of "appalling work practices'' against Mr. Ruberry, the most serious being his inability to pay staff on time.

Ms Smith, who has since left the Island, charges in her letter: "I was also denied a break of any kind after working eight to ten hour days, six days a week...I was also cheated out of my days off owed to me for working three public holidays. I was not told -- until my last day of employment -- that I was not paid for public holidays and instead received a day off without pay.'' Mr. Ruberry hotly denied the charges and admitted that while he's had cash-flow problems in the past he has always paid his employees. He refused however to be drawn into a war of words over the complaints.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette , staff at the club, who did not wish to be identified, agreed with Ms Smith's allegations.

And while the list of complaints included preferential treatment of select staff, no time allowed for breaks and insufficient equipment, it was the poor pay habits of Mr. Ruberry that drew most fire.

One spa employee said almost all staff had had problems with cheques not clearing, although she did admit Mr. Ruberry eventually got around to honouring the cheques.

"After my first week I went to the bank to open an account and they told me the funds were not available,'' she said.

About 15 to 20 people are employed at the club which made headlines earlier this summer when it was forced to close its doors to local members to make room for Southampton Princess guests.

And staff sources have told The Royal Gazette about a dozen employees have quit because of Mr. Ruberry's methods.

"He's always got some reason or another and he always makes it sound like it's the bank's fault,'' said one source.

"We've all just about had it. He works us like machines and we break down.'' One former employee, who worked for Mr. Ruberry for 14 months, said she quit because she got tired of her cheques always bouncing. She also claimed Mr.

Ruberry was "iffy'' when it came to paying overtime.

"He's an all-around bad employer,'' she concluded.

Four staff members however defended Mr. Ruberry. In a letter faxed to The Royal Gazette and signed by "the remaining loyal staff,'' a manager -- who also requested anonymity -- contended Ms Smith did not speak for the rest of the majority of the staff.

"The only issue that is accurate,'' stated the letter, "is that there was a cash flow problem.. .This is something that has caused him and us great consternation already. Something however he has valiantly struggled through with his staff interests at heart...Perhaps this little group of ex-employees have short memories of his acts of kindness and generosity.'' Assistant Labour Relations officer Thad Hollis yesterday told The Royal Gazette an employer who issues a paycheque that can't be cashed is basically making a false promise: "It certainly is immoral, isn't it.

"We believe payment should be prompt and be made when promised,'' he said.