Latest news with #workculture
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
‘Why do people in SG still look down on certain jobs?' man asks in viral post
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man recently went on social media to ask why some jobs are still looked down on, especially those outside the conventional white-collar path. In a post on r/askSingapore, he shared his thoughts and asked if it's common for people, like family members or future in-laws, to see jobs such as 'Grab drivers, van drivers, or delivery riders' as less respectable. He also wondered why there's often an assumption that people in these roles 'lack ambition' or are struggling financially. He explained that in Singapore, many people seem stuck on a fixed idea of success, which usually involves getting a degree, working a 9-to-5 job, and applying for a BTO flat. But he questioned if it's really such a bad thing to want a 'slower-paced' life, or to pick a job based on how it makes you feel instead of trying to fit into society's expectations. He also pointed out that this kind of judgment isn't just limited to drivers. It extends to retail assistants, restaurant workers, and anyone in jobs that don't come with a clear title or career progression. He ended the post by wondering if this way of thinking is just something he's noticed in his own circle, or if it's a more common mindset across Singapore. 'We have had an irreversible brain drain since the 1980s.' In the discussion thread, many Singaporeans chimed in with their own experiences and views. Some agreed that there's still a strong bias towards white-collar jobs, and shared how they or people they knew had faced judgment for working in roles seen as 'less prestigious.' One wrote, 'As a cleaner, I experienced this firsthand, but what I cannot believe is the disrespect displayed to the elderly.' Another commented, 'Personally, I think society does do that to the drivers. I met a parent during a social gathering, and I made a comment about how I'm the Grab driver of the family, but somehow it came off wrong and was interpreted as 'I'm a Grab driver'. The change on the parent's face was so fast and sudden. I can definitely start to see some nostrils, even though I'm not short. 'I just thought to myself, heck it. Don't need to clarify to such snobbish people. Let them think I'm a Grab driver. It's a decent and legit job, no need to be snobbish because they got lucky in the lottery of life. So yeah, society does view drivers as such. It's such a shame, really.' Others felt that the stigma often comes from older generations or more traditional families who equate success with academic qualifications and corporate careers. One shared, 'In Japan, if one encounters a master craftsman for decades, everyone respects him for his expertise. Here in Singapore, if a parent encounters a craftsman with similar experience, they will point him out to the kid and say, 'Don't be like him…' We have had an irreversible brain drain since the 1980s of technical experts, thanks to this dumb thinking.' There were also users who said they actually admire people who don't follow the usual 9-to-5 routine. For them, choosing a different path takes courage, especially in a society that often prizes conformity over individuality. One user explained, 'I admire them. It's another level of grit and determination, considering the monetary benefits don't often line up with the toll it takes on the person.' 'It's unfortunate that the people surrounding you, or anyone for that matter, would be so bankrupt in their soul to have to measure people based on their kind of vocation.' In other news, a local man who visited Lazarus Beach over the weekend said he was 'dismayed' by the state of the area after large groups of migrant workers gathered there to unwind on their day off. Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Monday (June 16), the man shared that he was initially happy to see many foreign domestic workers and labourers enjoying themselves by the sea. However, his sentiments changed when he saw the condition the beach was left in. According to his post, snack wrappers and beer cans were scattered across the sand, with some even floating in the water. He also noted that public sinks were being used as 'makeshift showers,' while toilet floors, which were clean earlier in the day, had become slippery and grimy. Read more: 'Why is this allowed to happen, and why is there no enforcement?' — Singaporean dismayed by the state of Lazarus Beach after migrant workers' day-off gathering Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my colleague stop bringing cakes into the office?
I'm not saying we should have no cakes ever, I just think we should stop assuming cake is always welcome I know how this sounds: I am the miserable cake police. But this isn't about being joyless, it's about creating a healthy working environment. There are 20 of us in the office, and there's sugar everywhere. We have free biscuits and a constant rotation of cakes, doughnuts and baked goods that descend on us without warning. It's so normalised, and if you politely decline, people ask if you're on a diet. Ruby takes the lead in guilt-tripping. If you say no thanks, she will look at you in disbelief. If you insist on not having a cake for your birthday, she will cajole you until you give in. Ruby loves to bake and she's always making something, even when there's no cause for celebration. It's lovely, but it encourages a constant habit of eating sugar. I also think it puts pressure on everyone else to bring something in. Not everyone can or wants to eat sugar. I have a condition that means it doesn't agree with me. Some people are recovering from eating disorders. And then there are allergies – I don't want someone collapsing at work because they didn't know there were hazelnuts in the ganache. I'm not saying we should have no cakes ever, I just think we should stop assuming cake is always welcome. A coffee, a card, time off, or just being acknowledged in a meeting is more meaningful than supermarket eclairs. I joined this company three years ago, a year after Ruby. She is the office baker and I accepted a sponge cake in my first year. But for the last two, I've requested no sweet treats and Ruby has listened. But I can tell that not baking me something is killing her. For everyone else, she takes orders. It's lovely, and I think Ruby brings light into our office, but we should also let people enjoy their workplace without being backed into a corner by baked goods. If someone wants cake? Great, let's make a spreadsheet with dietary requirements and requests. Homemade is obviously better than shop-bought. But we shouldn't assume everyone wants a cake. The office shouldn't be a minefield of sugar. Bringing cakes in shows we care and adds a little joy to the office. I'm not force-feeding anyone Cake makes everything better and that's why I love giving it to people at work, or for birthdays, for my kids at home … Just everywhere. I've always loved baking and when I see the look on someone's face after I make them a lemon drizzle or red velvet, it makes the slaving away in the kitchen worthwhile. Homemade, shop-bought, gluten-free, it doesn't matter. It's not just about the sugar, it's the gesture. Someone took the time to make something, or stop by the shop to pick something up. Giving and baking are ways of showing that we care. I also just like to bake. It brings people together. I've had colleagues open up about their lives over a slice of banana bread. It would be criminal to ban that kind of magic. I totally get that not everyone wants sugar, and that's fine, but no one's force-feeding anyone and we've all learned how to cater to different diets: we bring gluten-free options and label allergens. I never force cake on anyone, I just express disappointment if they don't have some. Banning cake altogether feels joyless. Amina says I bring light into the office, and I always try. When I first made her a Victoria sponge years ago, she loved it. She ate loads and thanked me profusely. But then she changed her mind and said there's too much temptation and it's making us all unhealthy. I hate a sugar crash as much as the next person, so you've got to pace it – we do have a lot of sweet treats around us. But that's no reason to stop making cakes altogether. For the last two years I've respected Amina's right not to eat cake, but I do think baked goods are important to mark moments like birthdays, farewells and tiny personal wins. A slice of Colin the Caterpillar is not just a sugar rush, it's a signal that we care for each other. Of course we should be mindful of different needs – but banning cake completely? That feels like punishing everyone for the desires of a few. Life's hard enough. Amina shouldn't try to take cake away from the rest of us. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Should Ruby bake off?Yes, Ruby should lay off the guilt-tripping, but Amina really needs to lighten up! Anyone who doesn't want cake can be a grown-up and just say no, leaving everyone else free to enjoy themselves! Mark, 49 I sympathise with Amina, but there are solutions that don't need to go as far as making the office a cake-free zone. Amina could ask Ruby to reduce the amount of times she brings them in; for example, only on birthdays. A little bit of sugar goes a long 31 People often say they're excited about the prospect of cake but then take only a very thin slice when it's offered. So at the end of the working day, there's still loads left. People are now more cautious about sugary, fatty treats, so I'm sorry to say that I'm with Amina on this 59 I agree with Ruby that Amina's anti-cake stance 'joyless', as no one is force feeding her. But while I support Ruby's right to continue making cakes for grateful colleagues, she should accept with grace others' right to say no, rather than looking 'disappointed'.Victoria, 39 It's hard enough without the constant temptation of sweet treats. That said, Amina's a grownup and needs to take responsibility for her own choices. On balance I'm with Ruby, but she needs to take on board that 'expressing disappointment' is not 27 In our online poll, should Ruby cool it with the cakes? The poll closes on Wednesday 25 June at 10am BST We asked if Freddie should have painted the edges of the room, not just the walls 87% said yes – Freddie is guilty13% said no – Freddie is innocent
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
SG worker wonders why his colleague overreacted to minor mistakes at work and resigned on the spot
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean employee recently shared online that his colleague abruptly quit after receiving what he felt were minor complaints. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum on Friday (Jun 13), the employee explained that he works in a small SME with around 20 staff members. His colleague, who had been with the company for about 10 months, received two complaints about his work earlier in the week. However, the employee believed both trivial matters had already been settled without much fuss. 'The first issue wasn't even his fault — it was a paperwork mix-up that's already been settled. Nobody got blamed, and it was resolved without drama,' he wrote. 'The second issue was that he forgot to take a photo of an item. Again, super minor — the customer could easily help us with the photo, and our company already said it's not a big deal. They just reminded him to be more careful next time.' Despite this, the colleague apparently took the feedback very personally. 'He felt like his work reputation was affected and straightaway drafted a resignation letter and sent it to our boss — all within the same day.' The employee added that his colleague would often speak about how younger people today were not able to handle hardship, which made the sudden resignation feel even more unexpected. 'He always talked about how 'young people nowadays cannot 吃苦' (can't take hardship). Yet now, just because of two small incidents (one of which wasn't even his fault), he resigned,' the employee said. 'Now, if he leaves, guess who has to take over his tasks, plus my own, plus train the new guy when he comes in? Yah, me lor. But that's life, I guess. Anyway, just wanted to get this off my chest.' 'Nothing wrong with it; he doesn't owe the company anything.' In the comments section, several Redditors weighed in with their own interpretations of the situation. One Redditor suggested that the colleague might just be super serious about his work, like the 'siao onz' type who takes full responsibility for anything that goes wrong and has really high standards for himself. So even if the issues were minor, it might've hit him harder than expected. Others felt that the resignation might've been on his mind for a while already, and the recent issues just gave him the push he needed to go. One wrote, 'It's from your perspective. He could have already been thinking of resigning previously and taken this chance to quit. Nothing wrong with it; he doesn't owe the company anything. Don't make it sound like his fault; he CAN leave the company anytime. If you can't handle it/have issues, tell your superiors; he has nothing to do with it.' Another added, 'As you said, it wasn't his fault. It sounds like his boss blamed him for it, and heis super unhappy mentally about many things already.' Meanwhile, a third Redditor urged him to also leave the company, writing, 'Bro, leave la, if you manage to survive the double workload, they will not hire another person. It's the way of the world now.' In other news, a daughter took to Reddit to vent about how mentally and emotionally draining it's been living with her mum, who she believes may be struggling with undiagnosed mental health issues. See also 8 proven tips for successfully scaling an e-commerce business Posting anonymously on the r/askSingapore subreddit, she shared that her mum often displays signs of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. 'She's always overthinking, sad or angry about something,' the daughter wrote. When we get into arguments—which can be over very minor things because she's very sensitive—she would think of herself as the victim and how life is super hard for her.' Read more: 'Every day feels draining': Daughter shares struggle living with mum who may have undiagnosed mental illness Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah's SPC Free Zone secures coveted workplace accolade for second consecutive year
Sharjah: Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has proudly secured the 'Great Place to Work' certification for the 2025-2026 period, marking the second consecutive year the organisation has earned this respected accolade. The achievement also serves as a powerful example of the thriving and positive work culture cultivated within the free zone's administrative department, and a resounding endorsement from its most important stakeholders, its employees. The certification is based on direct and anonymous employee feedback through focused surveys, and SPC Free Zone's success stemmed from exceptional scores across categories, including Workplace Hospitality, Leadership Behaviour, Innovation, Engagement, Equity, Collaboration, and Safety. These high marks paint a clear picture of an environment where employees feel welcomed, respected, empowered, and secure. Commenting on the achievement, Saif Al Suwaidi, Director of SPC Free Zone, said: 'At SPC Free Zone, we firmly believe that human capital is the cornerstone of any sustainable institutional success. Being certified as a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row reflects this belief and stands as a direct result of the continuous support and guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, who has established a visionary leadership approach that places employees at the heart of development and excellence.' He added: 'This accomplishment affirms that a healthy and attractive work environment has a positive impact on team performance, while its influence extends to the wider business community. Today, more than 9,600 companies operate in an ecosystem that inspires growth, creativity, and sustainability, further enhancing the free zone's ability to attract international partners and reinforce its status as a global hub for knowledge and investment.' Fostering growth and employee well-being SPC Free Zone has also implemented various policies and initiatives aimed at promoting growth, connection, and well-being within the workplace. A standout example was the launch of the SPC Academy, which provided all employees with regular monthly learning and development workshops, offering access to cross-departmental training. This initiative aims to enhance the organisation's understanding of its dynamics and empower individuals to expand their skill sets and career trajectories. Through efforts to promote engagement and inclusion, the free zone also curated a calendar rich with meaningful activities that strengthen bonds and celebrate diversity. From recognising international days of recognition and raising awareness for various causes, to hosting grand annual gala dinners that reward exceptional achievements and fostering community during the sacred month of Ramadan with annual Iftars, SPC Free Zone has promoted a culture of value and acknowledgement. Understanding the importance of physical and mental health, the free zone also organises bi-weekly free sports events, encouraging employees to socialise, stay active, and recharge together. Driven by employee participation, new volunteer initiatives, sustainability projects, and community campaigns, the SPC Cares Corporate Social Responsibility programme has also added great value to the organisation. Following impactful actions like distributing iftar meals to those in need during Ramadan, SPC aims to become the first UAE free zone to integrate social impact as a core pillar of its employee experience and organisational identity. Globally connected business ecosystem SPC Free Zone is a globally connected business ecosystem hosting companies representing over 40 countries. Renowned for its specialised community of 1,500+ publishers and creators of educational and cultural content, it combines state-of-the-art facilities with an environment of innovation and sustainability. In late 2024, SPC Freezone launched the world's first AI-powered business licence, which can complete registration in under 5 minutes. This dual commitment to technological leadership and people-first values, as demonstrated by the latest certification from 'Great Place to Work,' makes SPC Free Zone a unique gateway for entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking growth in the UAE's thriving business economy.
Independent Singapore
12-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘They are super demanding': SG woman says she's burnt out dealing with toxic overseas stakeholders
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean woman working at a multinational corporation has anonymously shared her growing frustration and burnout after more than a year in her current role—not because of the company itself, but due to toxic overseas stakeholders who have made her day-to-day work increasingly difficult. According to her post on the r/askSingapore forum, the local environment is supportive, the benefits are great, and the company culture is generally positive. However, things start to fall apart whenever she has to collaborate with colleagues from abroad. 'They are super demanding and horrible to work with,' she said. 'I had a few situations where they threw my team under the bus, and the aftermath was not the best to deal with, and I could tell that this country is not really a priority somehow but they make the most noise.' While she still values the company and what it offers, she admitted the position is no longer sustainable, either mentally or professionally. 'It is extremely stressful to work with them, and I don't find myself able to continue for another year,' she said. Seeking advice from the online community, she asked, 'Should I request an internal transfer or find other avenues elsewhere? I do like working at this company for its benefits, but the job role now is not serving me in the long run. What should I do?' 'Working is all about handling 60–80% of people in almost every job.' In response, one Redditor suggested speaking to her boss about changing her job scope, switching departments, or even planning to resign and search for something new Another said that if she's financially stable, quitting and finding a new job could be the best move. But if money is tight, she might want to look into an internal transfer or find a new job before resigning. They also advised thinking about how she would handle it if the same problems popped up again in her next role. A third Redditor chimed in with a more sobering take, reminding her that in most jobs, managing difficult people is simply part of the deal. 'Working is all about handling 60–80% of people in almost every job,' they wrote. In other news, a young Singaporean has taken to Reddit to share that her family is currently in the middle of a financial crisis, with house rent alone costing them about S$4,000 a month and her mother struggling to return to the workforce after spending the last 15 years as a full-time housewife. Posting on the r/SGexams subreddit, the woman explained that her household consists of four people: herself, her mother, her older brother, and her youngest brother, who is still in primary school. 'We have to work enough to rent an apartment that's around S$4,000 since we have four people living [in it],' she wrote. 'It ain't cheap, but that's the best we could find in this economy.' Read more: 'Things are hard right now' — Family pays S$4K/month house rent; their mum even struggles to return to the workforce after 15 years being a housewife Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
