In a surprising turn of events, a Singaporean woman recently shared her distressing experience of being fired while on leave, raising questions about workplace rights and employer expectations. The incident unfolded when the employee, who wished to remain anonymous, posted about her overseas trip on social media during her vacation.

According to her post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, she was in the middle of an exciting tour when her boss reached out with an urgent request. She was asked to edit and publish social media content for the small business she worked for. Although she acknowledged that she had the tools to handle the task remotely, she politely declined to work during her leave, stating she would address it upon her return.

Surprisingly, feeling compassion for her team, she opted to complete the task earlier than expected. However, her gesture backfired. Upon submission, her boss expressed anger, claiming that her Instagram activity proved she had time to work. The worker defended her position, emphasizing that she was entitled to her leave and had submitted the work well within her timeline.

The conversation escalated, resulting in the boss labeling her as "selfish" for not prioritizing the company's needs over her time off. Ultimately, the employee was informed that she no longer had a job, stating her employer did not want an "incapable worker."

Feeling unjustly treated, the woman turned to social media for advice on her next steps, expressing her anxiety about being unemployed. The public response was overwhelming, with many netizens labeling her dismissal as unlawful and advising her to report the situation to the Ministry of Manpower (MoM).

Some users commented on the importance of not mixing personal and professional life by adding bosses on social media platforms. One user pointed out the pitfalls of adding supervisors on Instagram, emphasizing that "work isn’t your life," and advising others to maintain clear boundaries.

In Singapore, employees who believe they have been unfairly dismissed can file a claim with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) within one month of their last working day. The process requires the dismissed employee to provide evidence of wrongful termination, especially if the employer has not provided a formal notice of termination.

If TADM cannot resolve the dispute, it can escalate the issue to the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT). Should the tribunals find in favor of the employee, they may order reinstatement or compensation for lost wages due to wrongful dismissal.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the complex dynamics between employees’ rights and employer expectations, especially in an age where social media blurs the lines between personal and professional boundaries. Would you stand up for your rights in a similar situation, or do you think employees should prioritize work even during their time off? Share your thoughts!