

So Roy Ngerng has been terminated from the services of Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

The reasons given were:

1.) Misuse of company resources and neglect of work duties

2.) Improper public conduct

Staff are free to pursue their personal interests outside of work, they must conduct themselves properly, honourably and with integrity.

His activities at Hong Lim Park have raised a few eyebrows in this area.

…in particular, they cannot defame someone else without basis, which essentially means knowingly stating a falsehood to the public. Now, Roy has already pleaded apology to the Prime Minister – so essentially, he has already admitted to defamation.

Further than that Roy is widely, and very popularly known for his involvement with TTSH, the proximity of brand is just too close for comfort.

If Roy was perhaps just more careful with his actions, and not as reckless, he could have avoided all this trouble.

Many dissenting individuals work full time jobs in large organisations, even Government organisations and many have had no trouble.

Sylvia Lim for example – she’s an active opposition leader, even sat as Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, and now elected Member of Parliament. She didn’t get herself fired. In fact Temasek Polytechnic changed some rules for her (Editor: We are unable to verify the “changing rules” part at this moment)

Donald Low and Sudhir Vadaketh authors of “Hard Choices” are both employed by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Economist respectively.

Daniel Goh, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore also has no problems with employment. Even speaking fiercely at party rallies at elections.

I think there is a lesson here to be learnt for all of us: it is ok to disagree. It is ok to voice your opinions strongly. It is not ok to take things recklessly.

Mr. Ngerng’s continued disregard of the hospital’s warnings and advice has rendered his employment with TTSH untenable. The hospital has then terminated Mr. Ngerng’s contract with immediate effect.

The hospital has lost a man that… perhaps really did care and was moved to do something for the people around him… but approached it with the wrong intent, the wrong approach and clearly a very dangerous manner.

Roy will be given one month’s salary in lieu of notice.

[plinker]