474 likes & 46 shares by tan chuan jin!!!
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Files like this come to me regularly. There will be disputes and appeals of all sorts. Some are obvious. Many can be messy and murky and requires our officers to investigate. I will finally have to make the decision on all of them.
This particular case I just signed off today was in favour of an individual who was an ex-convict. It was an appeal from the Unions and I am pleased to read of the indvidual's work ethic and his contributions. Glad to support the appeal.
Many of these cases don't surface publicly (there is of course one well known one that has surfaced in a dramatic way but best not to comment!) but much work goes on behind the scenes to manage the issues. It is a fascinating scene with many interesting stories...quite dramatic (and nasty) too in some cases.
We have found for employees. We have also ruled for employers. Sometimes, both are at fault as well. And we sometimes seek to find a mediated outcome where all can be satisfied, especially when it is not so clear cut. But our officers put up, quite dispassionately, both sides of the story and these are often thick submissions with details of emails, conversations, records of interviews etc. Many man-hours go into these many cases.
I am grateful for the professionalism shown by my colleagues in Labour Relations. It is not easy as those who are unhappy with the outcome would sometimes take it out on them or take to other platforms to protest, often omitting key details pertinent to their cases.
I have to also say that the Unions have been very active in championing and arguing the case for their members. I am impressed by their efforts even if I don't always rule for them! Much depends on the merits of the case too.
Just wanted to say thank you to my colleagues for working hard, for doing the right thing and doing things right. -
If you have any sense of professionalism in the civil serice, you know this is not one place you bring it, as much as you like to share.