Latest news with #toxicworkplace
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘Toxic as hell' — SG financial agent calls out her company director for imposing fines and spending hours gossiping about other agents
SINGAPORE: A financial consultant recently shared on Reddit that she is considering leaving her agency due to what she described as a 'toxic' and 'unprofessional' management team. In her detailed Reddit post, she claimed that a particular director was responsible for creating such a toxic work environment. According to her, this director imposed fines on agents who missed meetings or events, which were later relabelled as 'courtesy contributions' to make them seem less punitive. 'The late fees and no-show fines have been changed to 'Courtesy Contributions,' but they are still compulsory. She [the director] mentioned that the compliance department approved this and taught her how to collect using this alternative name. But if you don't pay, she will exclude and eliminate you like an outcast.' The consultant also mentioned that the director often spends hours gossiping about other agents instead of actually managing the agency. 'It's really unprofessional. If they have so much free time for this, shouldn't they be focusing on making the agency a better place and helping it grow?' the consultant wrote. She added that there is clear and constant favouritism at play. The director's own daughter, who is also in the agency, reportedly gets away with a poor work ethic and unprofessional behaviour. 'She shows obvious favouritism toward her daughter, who faces no consequences for her unprofessional behaviour. It's really like mother, like daughter. The director manipulates situations by presenting one-sided stories to turn agents against each other. So we just listen with one ear in and one ear out because we don't want to get involved in all this drama.' The toxic behaviour reportedly extends to the manipulation of facts. The consultant explained that the director often twists stories and presents one-sided narratives to turn agents against one another. She then described a disturbing incident that took place during a recent European convention trip, which was supposed to be a celebration for high-performing agents and their families. According to her, one agent who was planning to resign was targeted by the director. 'She deliberately excluded a family with a child from joining the bus tour just because she heard that that particular agent was intending to quit, and they were left alone in Europe all by themselves!' she continued. 'She used the bus journey as an opportunity to badmouth agents in front of our families and children. Our parents and kids, who just wanted to enjoy our holidays, had to listen to workplace drama and negativity instead of experiencing the trip we deserved.' See also Malaysian singer Yuna gets signed on as model In closing, the consultant said the environment has become so toxic that it no longer feels like a place where people can thrive. 'My ears have been ringing from listening to such constant negativity and unprofessional conduct, and it makes it impossible to focus on building a sustainable career here,' she said. 'Has anyone else experienced similar toxic management at your insurance agencies? Can anyone recommend agencies that maintain professional standards and actually focus on business growth rather than workplace drama?' she asked at the end of her post. 'Go hunt for the right person to guide you…' In the comments, many netizens offered their support and encouraged the consultant to walk away from the toxic environment. One individual, who identified as an insurance agent with over a decade of experience, wrote, 'I have heard many stories about toxic directors with zero empathy and management skills. I highly encourage you and any fellow agents to go hunt for the right person to guide you. Don't be afraid and take the threats from your director.' Another user chimed in to share their own experience of leaving a toxic agency, saying, 'I left the red company for similar reasons and joined as an IFA. I'm sure there are plenty of teams and agencies out there that are really good.' See also Zalora ropes in Gunjan Soni from Myntra as its new CEO Meanwhile, a third individual reflected on the deeper reasons behind such toxicity, writing, 'In my opinion, the more empty and useless a department or company is, the more drama and politics there will be. When a company has real value to provide to society, and has actual goals to meet, people within naturally operate with direction and are less preoccupied with politics and drama.' In other news, a Singaporean employee claimed on social media that he was wrongfully terminated after being accused of leaking confidential information. On Monday (June 2), he took to the r/askSingapore Reddit forum to seek advice and share his experience with fellow locals. In his post, he explained that he was recently dismissed from his full-time position because his employer alleged that he had disclosed sensitive company information to other departments or colleagues. However, he firmly denied these accusations, stating that they were completely 'untrue.' Read more: 'My boss terminated me without proper cause' — Employee claims he was wrongfully terminated over leaked info accusation Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ottawa public school trustee Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth resigns
Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth says she will step down from her position as trustee for Ottawa's largest school board. Speaking at the conclusion of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's (OCDSB) committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, Kaplan-Myrth read a resignation letter, saying she was targeted by right-wing actors as a progressive candidate throughout her term and accused the board of fostering 'toxicity' and 'disfunction.' 'I am resigning because of the toxicity from outside of this board and also, from within this board,' she told trustees. Kaplan-Myrth, a local family doctor, has been outspoken on social media and has elicited controversy since she was elected to serve Zone 9 in the 2022 municipal election. She accused other board members of remaining silent when she received online hate and threatening messages that targeted both her and her family while promoting mask mandates and advocating for progressive causes. An advocate for LGTBTQ+ rights and public health measures, including masking, she has been a target of racist and sexist remarks as a Jewish person online and in-person. In November 2022, she introduced a motion urging for mandatory mask mandates in schools, attracting controversy from parents for her activities on social media and for allegedly intimidating other trustees into voting for the motion. After heavy debate, the vote for the mandate did not pass. In September 2023, Kaplan-Myrth was subject to a vote of a breach of conduct where, Donna Dickson, a black trustee, accused Kaplan-Myrth of 'extremely insensitive, insulting and disrespectful' text messages after she was told not to 'vote with white supremacists' for opposing the vote on the mask mandate. A vote to sanction her actions failed, but an outburst during the special board meeting concerning her actions in December 2023 elicited another complaint. Trustees voted unanimously to bar her from a board meeting and from sitting on several committees for 90 days. Kaplan-Myrth had argued an integrity commissioner's report, which formed the basis for the sanctions, and the board's decision was based on 'faulty or incomplete findings of facts' and 'fundamental errors.' Kaplan-Myrth filed a human rights complaint against the OCDSB in 2023, arguing the board failed to address her repeated complaints that she was subjected to antisemitic treatment online and in-person. She also sought a judicial review of the sanctions against her. Her resignation comes after the OCDSB passed its controversial Elementary Program Review last month, which Kaplan-Myrth voted against. It introduced a slate of changes to controversial grade structures and boundaries as the board faces significant financial pressures. Staff are set to present the draft budget in June that will include savings to balance the books. The Ministry of Education has ordered an investigation into the OCDSB's finances with the board posting four straight budget deficits. With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Did 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' End? A Look at the Comedian's Daytime TV Run and What Unfolded Behind the Scenes
After several years on air, Ellen DeGeneres was hit with toxic workplace claims on the set of her eponymous talk show in July 2020 The final episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired on May 26, 2022 DeGeneres has slowly returned to comedy, starring in a 2024 Netflix special where she addressed the controversyUntil 2020, Ellen DeGeneres was known almost exclusively for her 'be kind' mantra. But when a report detailing alleged employee mistreatment on her show broke, that all changed. In the article, published by Buzzfeed News, several employees came forward about their experiences of working on the show. 'That 'be kind' bullshit only happens when the cameras are on. It's all for show,' one former employee told the publication. 'I think the executive producers surround her and tell her, 'Things are going great, everybody's happy,' and she just believes that, but it's her responsibility to go beyond that,' claimed another. Following the controversy, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired for nearly two more years, but was officially ended on May 26, 2022. In her 2024 stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, the longtime talk show host responded to the rumors for the final time. DeGeneres joked about being "kicked out of show business" for being "mean," and added that this wasn't her first time being dropped from the industry. In 1998, the comedian's hit show Ellen was cancelled after she came out as gay. From the 2020 controversy to her farewell tour, here's everything to know about why The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended. In July 2020, Buzzfeed News published a report with anonymous accounts from former and current employees of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. These employees alleged racism, being overworked and more mistreatment behind the scenes of the widely popular series. The Ellen DeGeneres Show's executive producers, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, said in a joint statement that 'they take the stories of the employees 'very seriously.' " 'Over the course of nearly two decades, 3,000 episodes, and employing over 1000 staff members, we have strived to create an open, safe, and inclusive work environment," the producers added. "We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It's not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.' In the Buzzfeed article and on social media, DeGeneres and the talk show's producers were accused of facilitating a "toxic work environment" on the series. Claims from staffers included being penalized for taking medical leave, repeated racial microaggressions and fear of retribution for raising complaints about working conditions. While no specific allegations were made against DeGeneres in the report, one former employee alleged producers hid the toxic workplace complaints from the host. "I think the executive producers surround her and tell her, 'Things are going great, everybody's happy,' and she just believes that, but it's her responsibility to go beyond that," they said. Following the Buzzfeed report, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter announced that The Ellen Degeneres Show was under internal review by WarnerMedia. Following the internal investigation regarding the alleged toxic workplace claims, the comedian apologized to her staff in a letter. "On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case," she wrote in the message, which was obtained by PEOPLE." And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it's the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show." Additionally, three top producers — Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman and Jonathan Norman — parted ways with the show. DeGeneres used her farewell stand-up tour and comedy special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, to address the 2020 scandal. "I used to say, 'I don't care what people say about me,' " she admitted in the stand-up routine. 'Now I realize I said that during the height of my popularity." While she claimed to have been 'kicked out of show business" for 'being mean,' in the special she did not speak to the accuracy of the claims made against her, nor did she attempt to prove them false. She did, however, point to the double standards between expectations of men and women in leadership roles. 'We have all these unwritten rules based on gender of acceptable behavior, of who we're allowed to be, and how we're allowed to act,' she explained in the special. 'And if we don't follow those rules, it makes people uncomfortable. And when people get uncomfortable, there are consequences. For those of you keeping score, this is the second time I've been kicked out of show business.' 'I am a strong woman,' she claimed before being met with roaring applause. No, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which began on Sept. 8, 2003, concluded on May 26, 2022. Following the alleged toxic workplace claims, a variety of celebrities came to DeGeneres' defense online. As detailed by Business Insider, celebrities such as Katy Perry, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Hart, Scooter Braun, Diane Keaton, Jay Leno, Octavia Spencer and Sofia Vergara were among DeGeneres' supporters. On Instagram, Spencer wrote: "All of my interactions with everyone from the show including ELLEN were supportive and fun! In that spirit I am praying all involved get the love and support they need.' On X, Perry shared, "I know I can't speak for anyone else's experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow.' Likewise, Portia de Rossi came to her wife's defense, writing, 'I Stand By Ellen" on Instagram. Nearly four years after the 2020 report was published, as part of her "Ellen's Last Stand ... Up" tour, DeGeneres performed a three-night show in Santa Rosa, Calif. During the set, the comedy star gave the audience a life update, per SFGate. "Let me catch you up on what's been going on with me since you last saw me,' DeGeneres shared with her crowd. 'I got chickens. Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean." DeGeneres expressed the same sentiments in her 2024 special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. "I'm making jokes about what happened to me, but it was devastating," she explained. "It took a long time for me to want to do anything again." DeGeneres later moved to Europe with her wife. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Blake Lively accused of creating 'insane, toxic' workplace
Six former employees of the actress and entrepreneur claim she ran a "chaotic" business when her now-defunct online store Preserve was in existence. "The entire company was an absolute disaster. The workplace allegations that Blake is making now are deeply ironic, given that it was one of the most insane, toxic, emotionally draining and disorganised environments you could imagine.". Blake is currently embroiled in a protracted legal scuffle with her former It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, over mutually alleged workplace infractions on the set of the 2024 movie.
Independent Singapore
25-05-2025
- Health
- Independent Singapore
‘I don't even have time to breathe' — Singaporean worker says his burnout has led to daily anxiety
SINGAPORE: Feeling burned out and mentally exhausted, a troubled worker took to social media to share how his demanding job has pushed him to the brink, causing him to develop anxiety just from the thought of going to work. 'I started to develop anxiety even to go to work. It's almost like I don't even have time to breathe once I step into the office,' he wrote in a post on r/askSingapore. The worker shared that in recent months, several of his colleagues have quit, and with no new hires brought in to replace them, the remaining team has been forced to take on the extra workload. 'I am very tempted to just quit and look for a new job because it's taking a toll on my mental health (overbearing colleagues and horrible management),' he added. 'Given the job market in Singapore, am I even making a sane decision?' He also shared that some of his coworkers had dismissed his concerns and labelled him as 'fragile,' which has made him question his own feelings. 'Am I being fragile, as my colleagues once said?' he asked the community. 'Trust your gut instinct, and if you need to quit, do it.' The post struck a chord with many Singaporean Redditors, who flooded the comments section with messages of solidarity, reassurance, and first-hand accounts of how toxic work environments had similarly impacted their mental and physical health. One Redditor passionately urged the worker not to internalise the negative labels others had placed on him. 'No, you are not weak or fragile,' they wrote. 'Please don't let people or yourself gaslight yourself about how you feel. At burnout, your body will show. It's not just mental, it will also start manifesting physically. I have had recurring pain since I hit burnout in my previous job. This back pain now worsens every time the current workload starts to get too much. Listen to your body, please. I know quitting can be a privilege. If you can't just take off, you need to start setting boundaries to look after yourself first.' Another echoed this sentiment, stating, 'No! You're not being fragile. I don't know why, but Singaporeans love to flex enduring stressful, demanding jobs as if they'll get a gold medal at the end of it all. It's toxic. I've been in your position before, and trust me when I say the effects of anxiety are long-lasting. It can take years for you to fully heal, especially if you have been enduring it for a very long time. Health is wealth.' A third Redditor shared, 'I had a job where it caused anxiety, and when I clocked out, I arrived home and threw up from exhaustion/anxiety. Trust your gut instinct, and if you need to quit, do it. ' Some also advised him to start job hunting while still employed so he would have some financial security and a smoother exit when the time came. Workplace anxiety According to medical professionals, workplace anxiety can show up in many different ways. You might feel a constant sense of worry, dread, or hopelessness, as if you're stuck in a situation with no clear way out. It's also common to feel tense, paranoid, easily irritated, and to have difficulty focusing on your tasks. See also The definitive guide to validating your startup idea As the stress builds, your body might begin to respond too, with symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue, or even panic attacks. If any of this feels familiar, it might be a good time to pause, check in with yourself, and think about getting some support. In Singapore, you can reach out to the Samaritans of Singapore at 1-767 (they're available 24/7), call the Institute of Mental Health at 6389-2222, or visit for useful tools and resources. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone, and help is always within reach. Read also: Sick employee feels guilty taking MC after boss says she falls ill too often Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
