Condo-resident saga: Be respectful always, and let’s move on

This past week, Singapore has been abuzz with chatter about a viral video showing Mr Ramesh Erramalli verbally abusing a security guard over a condominium rule on overnight parking. Mr Erramalli, an employee of investment bank JP Morgan, has since apologised to the guard. Human-resource and public-relations practitioners told TODAY that in the age of social media, firms must have measures to deal with such situations — even when the unsavoury actions of their staff are not related to work.

Some TODAY readers argued that professionals are expected to display good conduct even when they are away from work, since their actions can have repercussions for their employers. Others, however, said such behaviour should not have a bearing on one’s career.   

This case is typical of the smartphone generation ready to record events, often without discretion and with the intention of posting on social media. What if no one had recorded the event that fateful night? Will society be any poorer? Likely not. Sadly, when an incident is blown out of proportion by social-media attention, the making of heroes and villains simply adds fuel to the fire. Society needs to take a step back and take stock of what it means to be civil. It is also about fairness and judging situations equitably. No one wins when society engages in this form of blood sport as attitudes harden towards one camp or another. JUNE CHEAH NICHOLLS

Whether local or imported, when you hit a certain level in management, there is an unspoken expectation of your conduct towards others, even in your private time. It does not matter if you like it or not, especially in this instant information age. IAN TAN

Losing your temper does not mean that you can belittle another person. Own up to your mistake. He should take responsibility for his actions. His words and actions represent not only himself, but the company he works for. SAM JUNIOR

Manners make a man. In this case, it is a false sense of entitlement that shows. AMEEN MUHAMMAD 

In previous cases, those involved were relieved of their duties. If Mr Erramalli is not terminated, then for fairness he should face other punitive measures that are equal in severity. YEW HUI PHOA 

A staff member of any multinational company should treat everyone respectfully, fairly and with dignity, regardless of his social and financial status. TEO KUEH LIANG 

Whether you are rich or poor, that makes no difference because we are human. Be humble. ANG MARTIN

Everybody deserves a second chance. Give him a break and move on. Let him be and let his company monitor him. We all have learnt a lesson: Do not be arrogant and abusive. FILA RAJA 

We should let go and move on. I think he should have learnt a hard lesson. It was also an unforgettable Deepavali for him. SURESH KUMAR 

Let us forgive and forget. If the security officer in question accepts his apology, all is well. It goes to show that both can be big-hearted in closing the chapter. Others should not interfere. Instead, they should question and reflect on similar issues should these happen to them, too. The best solution is to put yourselves in the shoes of others and forget about the matter. ADELINE CHEO 

Is it really necessary to make a huge deal of this unfortunate incident? The man lost his temper. I believe this happens to the majority of us all. The guard was treated with disrespect and did not deserve it as he was doing his job. The man apologised. He was rude, but he was not a monster either. He did not punch anyone. I do not see why this bad behaviour should control his professional life, as it was not related to it at all. It was stupid and unacceptable, but we all make mistakes. Maybe it is time to forgive and forget. If everyone behaving wrongly in their personal lives were to be sacked, not many will work for a company for long. There are so many more important issues to deal with. This is minor. AGNES MEURZEC

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page or sent to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.