When 7 Years Ended with a Letter: How Mediation Helped Janice Find a Fair Way Forward

Janice joined the company in February 2019. For seven years, she was a committed and loyal employee. On 5 February 2026, it ended abruptly. She was issued a termination letter and given two months’ salary in lieu of notice, as stated in her employment contract.
 
It felt like more than just a job loss. There was no acknowledgement of her years of service and no retrenchment support to help her transition to what came next. Janice tried to negotiate for retrenchment benefits. She felt it was a fairer reflection of her long service. Her request was denied. Unsure of what to do next, she turned to NTUC PME for help.
 
A consultant from NTUC PME took on her case. After listening to her concerns, the consultant formally wrote to the company to request mediation. That step opened the door for dialogue when direct negotiation had stalled. It was not an easy process. The first mediation session was held on 3 March 2026. There was still a clear gap between both sides. The consultant persisted and continued to engage both parties with professionalism and care.
 
A second mediation was convened on 17 March 2026. This time it involved the company leadership team based in America. Rather than letting the matter escalate, the consultant kept the discussion calm and focused on finding a practical resolution that both sides could accept.
 
The persistence paid off. Following the mediation efforts, the company agreed to provide Janice with an ex-gratia payment equivalent to one and a half months of her salary, amounting to 18,000 dollars.
 
For Janice, it was more than financial assistance. It was acknowledgement. It gave her breathing space to navigate her next chapter with dignity and the assurance that her concerns had finally been heard.
 
In Janices words: I am very grateful to NTUC PME for stepping in during a difficult period. The mediation gave me a chance to have my concerns heard and helped me achieve an outcome that felt fair. That support made a meaningful difference as I moved forward.

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