Singaporean 'feels lost in life due to burnout at work' caused by her micromanaging boss and toxic work culture

Independent Singapore

17-05-2025

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean middle manager recently shared on social media that she's 'burnt out' from the heavy workload and constant scolding she receives from her boss due to her leadership style.
In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, she explained that her boss 'constantly micromanages' how she runs her team. Instead of trusting her to lead in her own way, her boss closely monitors her actions and often undermines her authority by dictating how she should interact with her team.
She shared that one of the more troubling aspects was being discouraged from 'having lunch' with her team members or forming closer connections with them.
'She [my boss] thinks that you are only a good manager if your team is afraid of you and if you scold them for every single tiny mistake they make.'
The post also described how her boss's behaviour has created a toxic and uncomfortable work environment. She recounted several instances where her boss shouted at her team members in her presence and sent 'nasty' emails to them over minor mistakes.
Things came to a head when her boss told her to reprimand her team for spending time in the pantry after lunch, even though they were still within their allotted one-hour break.
Since she felt her team wasn't doing anything wrong, she hesitated to enforce the instruction. However, her decision not to act was later met with disapproval. In a one-on-one meeting, her boss expressed disappointment that she didn't step in to play the 'bad cop.'
Despite the job offering good pay and flexibility, she now questions whether it's worth staying.
'I am seriously thinking of quitting without a job and changing my career because I am starting to hate this corporate rat race lifestyle. I am also feeling depressed and wondering why do I have to work so hard and be bashed by my boss to live a life when every day is so depressing,' she wrote.
'After working for almost 20 years, I am financially stable with my own HDB and can get (a) good meal when I want to. I will probably survive for at least one to two years without income, but not enough for retirement. I have been thinking about what I want to do, but I am just so lost. Call me old school, but I have been brought up being told that only corporate work life is the way to success,' she added.
Seeking advice, she asked the local community, 'For those who successfully made a mid-career change and quit from your regular day job after graduating, can you share with me some insight on how you did that, and maybe your story also?
'Hoping to be inspired by other people's success stories to help me overcome this depressing period.' 'Find a job first before leaving…'
In the comments, one user advised her not to make rash decisions, writing, 'Network, network, and more network. Ask around to look for a new role. Don't quit without one impulsively. If you are a decent manager, you can get good referrals if you ask for them.'
Another user echoed this sentiment: 'Update your resume and find a job first before leaving. It's a lot easier. Then plan a month break between jobs to refresh yourself. Being jobless with a mortgage is much more stressful.'
A third shared, 'It depends if you think you can go without a job for some time. I have been in this situation and left without one. Have around the same number of years of working experience as you. Corporate gets tiring.'
In other news, a fresh graduate in Singapore took to Reddit after falling into what he called the comparison trap. He said he started doubting his own career path upon learning that some peers in finance were earning up to S$13,000 a month straight out of university.
Read more: Fresh grad says he fell into the comparison trap after learning 'finance folks are pulling S$13k/month straight out of uni'
Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)