Crossword Genius

Worked for a named listener (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earned

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'worked for' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a named listener' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'erned' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earned that I've seen before include "made money" , "Merited through behavior" , "Got from paid employment merited" , "Merited through behaviour" , "Received money for work" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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