Latest news with #leave
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘Is this a red flag?' — Man shocked after learning company he applied to expects employees to be ‘on standby even when on leave'
SINGAPORE: A man was stumped when he learned that one of the companies he applied to expects all their employees to 'be on standby even when on leave.' He shared his disbelief in a Reddit post on Friday (Aug 15), explaining that when the HR representative called to discuss the 'container operations role' he had applied for, he was told the role would require him to be on standby '24/7, 365 days a year, even while on medical, annual, or childcare leave.' The man said that after hearing about the unusual policy, he asked the HR representative, 'What is the point of being on leave if you are still expected to work when needed?' to which the HR reportedly responded, 'It's expected by the company, and that is how it is.' He then contrasted this with his current job at a small-to-medium enterprise (SME). 'I am currently in a similar position in an SME, which respects my leave, and my colleague will cover for me when I am on leave — which I then cover for him when he goes on leave,' he wrote. 'Yet this MNC, with thousands of employees globally, can't or does not wish to do so. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth that they think it is OK. It's just a basic expectation to have a work-free period during leave.' Though the man didn't mention the name of the company, he hinted that this is 'one of the largest shipping companies in the world.' Seeking advice from other forum members, he asked if this policy was indeed a 'red flag.' 'Shipping industry is like that.' Convinced he would have a rough time at the company, some users urged the man to reject the role. One said, 'Red flag. If they're one of the largest shipping container companies in the world, they should be able to sort it out without reaching to people on AL. They have thousands of employees, and the success of the business doesn't rest on one person.' Another added, 'Epic red flag, just reject.' Others, however, told the man that many companies in the shipping industry operate this way. One user shared, 'Shipping industry is like that. I don't do containers, but my shipping ops is also expected to take calls 24/7 unless they are big enough to have cover from another overseas office. Most of the time, no one will call you unless there is a major issue la. I take calls on leave all the time, even when I am travelling overseas.' Another commented, 'I heard shipping industry is like this, expected to be on standby 24hrs. But in return, they are paid very well. I have heard of 1-year bonuses. So if you're gonna take up such a job, make sure you are handsomely rewarded.' A few users also advised the man to 'gather more details about the role' before deciding to reject it. One wrote, 'You should ask more questions regarding it pertaining to your role, like what kind of standby are we talking about (need to answer call/ or need to be physically present). In the past few years, how often has it been necessary for someone in your same role. Ask for real-life examples of such cases, etc.' In other news, a 28-year-old local has confessed on social media that he is on the verge of giving up on his career in UI/UX design after more than a year of job hunting. Posting on Reddit's singaporefi forum on Wednesday (Aug 13), he explained that, aside from the fact that the industry feels 'completely saturated,' most companies seem to be hiring only for senior roles that demand years of experience—positions that, in his view, 'no one can realistically fulfil.' Read more: 'I'm exhausted': Local UI/UX designer on the brink of giving up after a year-long job hunt
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Malaysian woman claims boss demands live location during leave as proof of holiday
A Malaysian woman whose boss demanded she share her live location while on leave to prove that she was actually on holiday has attracted a flood of sympathetic and angry comments online. The woman, known as @_nnadrahhh on a social media platform, posted on June 10 asking if her superior's leave location request was 'normal'. She said her boss even demanded the location information if they were overseas. The woman's boss said if employees did not provide live location details, their leave application would be marked 'pending'. Photo: Shutterstock The superior added that it was a 'new rule' of the company and people who failed to share their live locations would be marked as 'absent', even if they had applied for annual leave. The woman said her superior would keep applications pending until the live location was shared. According to her posts, the woman travelled to an island off Malaysia. She did not reveal the name or location of her employer.
Independent Singapore
18-05-2025
- Independent Singapore
Employee gets 'heat from the higher management' for travelling on her weekend day off
SINGAPORE: A desk-bound employee took to social media to share her confusion and frustration after facing backlash from upper management for taking leave on a Friday and travelling over the weekend, despite not being officially scheduled to work. In her detailed post on a local forum, the employee explained that she holds a standard 9-to-5 weekday job that does not involve shift work or regular weekend duties. However, due to the nature of the role, the team often works a few hours during the final weekend of each month to meet deadlines. 'This is not official working time, it's carved out personal time to get the job done on time,' she wrote. She noted that while senior staff often dedicate a significant portion of their weekends to work, employees at her level typically spend just 1 to 3 hours. Though initially surprised by the unspoken expectation, she eventually got used to it. 'I'm accustomed to it now,' she said. 'No big deal, one weekend out of a month, just a few hours.' Recently, however, she decided to take leave on a Friday and travel over the weekend, which is coincidentally during the month-end period. Since she had already been partially removed from the project that usually required weekend work and wasn't called upon the previous month, she assumed the same would apply this time. What she hadn't anticipated was the reaction from management. See also The definitive guide to validating your startup idea 'I'm receiving a lot of heat from the higher management, with quite personal words said to me like how they expect me to make mature decisions, how they've lost trust in me… all because I'm travelling on a weekend I'm not scheduled to work,' she explained. 'I was fully prepared to still be contactable and available to work even while travelling (again, out of goodwill), but I did not think I was expected to fully block out and not make plans on the weekend.' She further shared that the leave had been approved without much scrutiny, as her manager trusted her judgment. However, the incident has reportedly led to stricter leave approvals for the entire team, leaving her feeling guilty. 'I understand the peak period at work is stressful for everyone, but I'm wondering where I went so wrong to warrant such a reaction from the management? Should I have declared anything to them?' she asked the online community. 'Am I legally bound to tell them how I spend my weekends/day off? I don't see how my travelling is that detrimental to the work, since I've already been taken off the project/willing to work those few hours if they put me back on the project anyway.' She also expressed that throughout her time in the company, she had consistently gone above and beyond by working late hours, avoiding taking leave during peak periods, and stepping in to help wherever she was needed. She explained that she did all of this not out of obligation, but because she genuinely cared about her work and valued her teammates. 'I must admit, yeah, I'm feeling hurt, confused, and looking for clarity. Is this normal in the workforce? What could I have handled better? How can I resolve this with upper management? I would like a good working relationship with them :/ Thanks in advance!' she concluded her post. 'Ignore any messages over the weekend…' In the comments section, several users advised the employee to consider leaving the toxic workplace. One user wrote, 'Find another job and leave. You are not obligated to work on weekends when your official working hours are from 9 to 5 on the weekdays.' Another wrote, 'If the management isn't respecting your day off and trying to gaslight, manipulate, and guilt trip you, it is time to leave to seek greener pastures.' A third added, 'Are you paid? Is it written down in your contract? Otherwise, can tell them to fly a kite. Ignore any messages over the weekend and find a new job.' Working on weekends According to the job site Indeed , most office workers in Singapore usually do not work on weekends. Saturdays and Sundays are generally set aside for rest, family time, or personal errands. However, there are times when companies may ask employees to help out over the weekend, such as during busy periods or when an important project deadline is coming up. Ideally, these expectations should be clearly stated in the employment contract or at least communicated early on, so that employees can plan ahead. Also, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are not allowed to make employees work on their designated rest day unless there are 'exceptional circumstances.' Read also: Singaporean 'feels lost in life due to burnout at work' caused by her micromanaging boss and toxic work culture Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
