Two more Singapore Environment Council senior management staff terminated

Two more senior management staff members from the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) have been terminated, with no reason given.

Former SEC assistant executive director Christopher Gerard and former SEC communications director Shirley Chua were handed termination letters on Friday (11 November) morning by the non-governmental organisation’s human resource manager.

At an informal meeting with the media held on Friday, Chua and Gerard said no warnings or feedback on their performance had been given to prior to their sacking.

“I was flabbergasted, especially (since) there was nothing that was told prior to this. I think we have delivered on all fronts of our programmes. I’m just shocked,” said Gerard, 43, who had been with the SEC since February 2015.

Chua, however, was a little more prepared for the news. “I was mentally prepared after Edwin Seah left. If this can happen to Edwin where he has not committed any wrongdoing, this could happen to anyone of us,” said the 45-year-old, who had worked at the SEC for about three years.

In lieu of notice, Chua and Gerard will be paid salaries of two and three months, respectively.

The latest developments come on the heels of former SEC executive director Edwin Seah’s suspension in October amid an investigation by a special panel. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Seah’s employment was terminated, with the SEC saying that he was not a right fit for the organisation.

Responding to queries from Yahoo Singapore, the SEC issued a statement saying that its “Board believes it is inappropriate to discuss employment matters with anyone other than the individuals themselves as it is an internal matter”.

Former SEC executive director Jose Raymond, who was also at the meeting, questioned the terminations.

“This is a huge disappointment, especially since half the Board is made up of senior government officials, including two current Members of Parliament. Do they condone and support these actions? Whatever happened to helping protect jobs and livelihoods?” he asked.

“If you look at our performance, if we have not been doing very well, you can question that. But that has not been the case. Our finances have been very healthy, and our programmes have been growing,” said Seah to Yahoo Singapore.

Tearful farewell

The recent terminations have dampened the mood at the SEC office, which employed 28 full-time staff including Chua and Gerard.

Jeanette Choong, executive of programmes at the SEC, was one of those who teared up upon hearing the news. “I think half the office was crying. Not just the ladies, the guys were also crying,” she said.

The SEC says it is an independently managed, non-profit NGO committed to environmental protection and awareness in Singapore.

It runs many programmes, such as the Asian Environmental Journalism Awards, School Green Awards and the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, which have seen rising participation rates over the years.