A Facebook post from a woman named Reema Razif went viral on Tuesday (June 7), where she included a photo of herself, heavily pregnant and in a police uniform. Ms Razif claimed that in her 11-year career, her performance grade dropped because she was pregnant. She also listed the activities she was asked to do while she was pregnant, but noted that her sacrifices were “never enough.”
“Working throughout my pregnancies, lifting heavy equipments for my peers (Willingly), sacrificing meals because my work was my priority, getting into labour while at work for 2 out of 4 of my pregnancies, going to the hospital in my uniform, still did not suffice to see me as a ‘performing’ worker I guess,” she wrote.
She added that she does not regret her decision to resign and that her post “is not directed to the organisation, this is me sharing MY personal experience as an individual.”
On Wednesday evening, the Singapore Police Force put out a statement on its Facebook account in response to the post.
SPF confirmed that Ms Razif had resigned on May 2 “for personal reasons,” but added that it “builds fair and progressive workplaces for our employees. Many of our female officers excel in their career, balancing work and family responsibilities.”
It further noted that officers who are pregnant are not penalized, but are instead given alternative work arrangements to ensure their well-being.
“During Reema’s four pregnancies between 2016 and 2021, she was given light duty assignments that were primarily desk-bound. Reema was not asked to work while she was on paid maternity leave,” SPF wrote.
As for her performance grade, SPF claimed that she received one that is similar to many of her colleagues in the Police Land Division.
“The SPF takes a firm stance against workplace discrimination practices. There are avenues for SPF officers to raise complaints on discriminatory workplace practices to their unit Commander, Police Headquarters (HQ) or the Ministry HQ, and such complaints are looked into seriously,” SPF added.
The police also referred to a social media post by Ms Razif regarding her police work on her own account in April 2020, which she is disallowed from doing so without prior authorisation under Existing Public Sector rules.
“Reema was thus advised accordingly by her supervisor for not seeking clearance for her post, but she was not penalised for the incident,” SPF added.
Many netizens, however, commenting on both posts, expressed sympathy toward Ms Razif.
“I salute ur courage to walk away,” wrote one commenter.
Some encouraging comments even came from those who appeared to be former officers as well.
Over on SPF’s page, some netizens weighed in to say that an investigation may be needed.
Others, however, defended the police’s statement.
/TISG