TAFEP investigates workplace harassment claims against Night Owl Cinematics

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The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) is looking into workplace harassment allegations against Night Owl Cinematics (NOC) co-founder and CEO Sylvia Chan (pictured).

TAFEP and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a joint statement recently that TAFEP is currently in touch with the NOC to look into the matter. "Employers should keep their workplaces safe by preventing and managing workplace harassment. They also have a legal obligation to pay employees their salary on time," they added. They also urged individuals who encounter workplace harassment and have their salaries withheld to contact TAFEP or the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management for assistance and to report any criminal conduct to the police.

At the same time, Chan also made several reports against the threats and harassment she has received and investigations by the Singapore Police Force are already underway, according to Channel NewsAsia. Meanwhile, Chan also apologised in a recent Instagram post for the wrongs she has done and the mistakes she has made. She is also fully cooperating with workplace-related authorities including TAFEP and MOM and will continue to do so.

"I will be accountable for my actions. I hope that everyone can give me the time and space to settle things privately with the relevant parties and dutifully with the relevant government entities. I hope that I will be given a chance to work on myself to become a better person, and a better leader," she added. In a recent interview with Xiaxue, Chan said she has been struggling to keep the company afloat and that it has lost SG$250,000 worth of brand deals within the first few weeks of her scandal.

Chan came under the spotlight earlier this month after she was accused of bullying employees and using slurs. She was alleged to have been openly discriminatory to an employee named Samantha. An audio recording circulating online with accompanying screenshots on an Instagram account named sgcickenrice revealed Chan saying "that b*tch is f*cking dumb", when talking about Samantha.

The account also showed screenshots of Chan being unwilling to correspond with influencers directly as they are "stupid", which she then corrected to "not so smart". Some netizens defended NOC previously, explaining that the public should not show their hate for NOC as a whole because of "one or two people". Colgate also terminated its partnership with her while MILO clarified that it is currently not working with Chan on any projects.

Subsequently, NOC broke its silence and claimed that the statements were "a massive crusade" against the public image and reputation of NOC and its employees. The company also claimed in an Instagram post that the "present attacks" have been "carefully crafted and mounted" on the company and its employees. It added that the excerpts published were "cherry-picked abstract communications between private individuals carefully showcased to paint a wholly negative picture".

Instagram account sgcickenrice, which has been publishing screenshots and audio clips supporting the allegations against Chan, also received a cease and desist letter concerning allegations and claims against Chan as well as NOC's artistes and employees. Chan then apologised on her Instagram, saying that she had not lived up to expectations of her.

"For some of you, I even have your jobs, your livelihoods, your commitments in my hands; and I truly am sorry if I did not step up to the standards you expect from a leader," she said in her post. Chan also added that she will be removed from NOC's lineup of artistes.

New allegations against Chan were later published in a blog post on Tuesday last week, allegedly written by NOC's current and former employees. According to CNA, the post covers alleged misappropriation of company funds and bartering sexual services of an NOC “talent” in exchange for courier services, among other claims. Former NOC lead executive producer Felicia Tung has also corroborated some of the details in the blog, according to The Straits Times (ST).

In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech that TAFEP guidelines would be enshrined into law. According to ST, this move came following concerns of middle-income Singaporeans over competition with work pass holders for jobs and opportunities at work. Formed in 2006, TAFEP is a three-way partnership between the government, NTUC, and the Singapore National Employers Federation; and provides guidelines on fair employment practices.

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