SHE had protested her dismissal by her employer, alleging that she was sacked because of health reasons.
But the day she was on medical leave, Madam Cheryl Lee went to one of Singapore's biggest beach parties.
The 25-year-old, who was then six months pregnant, was seen partying at ZoukOut at Sentosa's Siloso Beach on 8 Dec.
The party was attended by almost 23,000 people.
In the report, 'I was sacked via SMS' (The New Paper, 16 Jan), Madam Lee alleged that she was sacked by the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association (SATA) last month because of health reasons.
MANY ABSENCES
Since she got the job as a staff nurse at SATA in Oct last year, she took several days of no-pay leave, was in hospital for three days, and on medical leave for more than a month because of complications to her pregnancy.
She showed copies of her medical certificates, from various dates between 28 Nov and 5 Jan, to The New Paper.
During her two months' employment, she was absent for 33 days.
Madam Lee had earlier claimed that on the morning of 8 Dec, she had experienced a sharp pain running down her hip and left leg. She claimed that she had trouble getting out of bed, and even struggled to bend or stand.
But on that same night, a friend, who declined to be named, spotted her partying at ZoukOut.
The friend, who claims to have known her for almost a year, told The New Paper: 'I saw her at ZoukOut with her husband and sibling. I was at the DJ Steve Aoki set and she was pretty close to the stage mixing with the crowd.
Former employer: We never knew if she was coming to work
MADAM Lee's prolonged absence from work without proper communication and her lack of commitment were cause for concern, said SATA's chief operating officer, Mr Aaron Ng.
And that is why she was terminated, he said.
'We were informally aware that not all her leave was related to pregnancy. It was extremely difficult to contact her. There was always uncertainty about whether she would turn up for work, which posed tremendous challenge to service planning,' he said.
He said that like any new staff member on probation, Madam Lee's performance was closely monitored, to gauge her suitability as a permanent employee.
He said: 'We were deeply concerned about her sense of responsibility and accountability, which are important qualities for a medical professional.'
Mr Ng said that SATA, as a charity, embraces a pro-family stance in employing a pregnant women.
He said: 'Many confirmed staff have been granted maternity leave. SATA also endeavours to support employment of retirees and the disabled.'
'I think her blatant disregard for her own personal safety and also lack of responsibility for her job is reproachable.'
The friend said Madam Lee was wearing a bikini at the time.
When asked, Madam Lee admitted that she had attended the party.
But she claimed that she had spent most of the time at the party just 'sitting around and eating'. She said she did not drink any alcohol.
She also stuck to her story that she was in pain that day.
But did she think it was irresponsible of her to take medical leave when she was clearly fit enough to attend a party?
Madam Lee said: 'It's true that I had pain in the morning, but I took Panadol and the pain eased. That's why I could go out at night.
'Besides, my husband had bought the tickets to ZoukOut in November and we didn't want to waste them as they were not cheap. I didn't drink that night, and we made it a short night.
'We reached there at 11pm and left at 2am.'
Madam Lee said she attended the party with her husband, brother and cousin.
ZoukOut tickets cost $58 each.
The friend told The New Paper that on the night of the party, Madam Lee 'appeared a bit tired, but didn't seem to be in pain'.
Another of Madam Lee's acquaintances, who was also at the party, alerted The New Paper to pictures of Madam Lee at ZoukOut.
Madam Lee had posted them on her Friendster and Facebook pages.
The acquaintance said: 'I feel that it is inappropriate...
'It was (also) very unfair of her to leave her colleagues at the clinic shorthanded.'
This article was first published by The New Paper on Jan 22, 2008.
