A Singaporean employee recently shared their experience of witnessing workplace bullying, sparking outrage from netizens.
In what they call “corporate bullying at its finest”, the employee shared about it on Reddit, asking for solutions.
The OP revealed the company is an SME and that the targeted colleague has resigned, and is presumably serving their notice as the bullying happens.
According to the OP, their colleague is required to arrive at 9am sharp, and if they are late, they must stay back for the same amount of time. They are also forced to follow a fixed lunch hour and were asked to complete “a pointless write-up on what they had done for the company”.
The individual is also denied leave, barred from entering the main office, and confined to the common area, which serves as a co-working space.
On top of all that, they were required to hand over their personal phone during work hours and told not to eat lunch or mingle with colleagues. Employees were also told to not interact with him, with the OP adding: “The list goes on.”
“They clearly do not want to grant him an early release which he seeks and want to make his life miserable. Is there anything he can do? The working culture in Singapore lacks empathy and this is disgusting,” penned the OP.
Netizens were equally appalled by the account, with many calling for the OP to “name and shame” the company.
“This one concentration camp?” asked a netizen, while another commented: “This is just tyrannical mentality. Not corporate bullying.”
Of all the “rules” imposed on the colleague, the one that drew the most criticism was him being forced to surrender his phone. Some pointed out that he could miss an emergency call without it, while others said it reminded them of military training, where recruits are not allowed to carry camera phones.
“Surrending phone is crazy, and needing to stay back is also another crazy thing,” a netizen opined.
“Bring two phones then. Surrender the fake one. Say the one you have is for an emergency for old parents if you get caught with it, and fake an illness or exaggerate their condition. Will they be responsible if anything happens?” advised another.
The majority felt the colleague didn’t have to comply with any of the rules, as he had already resigned and “the company can’t do anything to him.” Some suggested he spend the remainder of his notice period doing “absolutely nothing”, while others recommended using ChatGPT to complete his report or even taking medical leave for the rest of his time there.
Another felt the treatment of the employee “too extreme” and questioned whether it was targeted at this individual or standard company practice.
Ultimately, many believed the colleague didn’t need to follow such rules and suggested he file a complaint or leave an online review when he eventually departs.
There were also those who encouraged the OP not to feel bad on the company’s behalf, and advised them to continue greeting the colleague with a simple “hi” and “bye,” treating him with basic respect.
“It’s the company’s toxic attitude, not yours,” they added.
What would you do in the OP’s shoes — or even more, in their colleague’s position?
Source – https://www.8days.sg/entertainment/local/corporate-bullying-singapore-office-854516