Workplace Bullying that I have faced in Singapore since 2007

last SG · 2012-06-10T01:15:49+00:00

1) Everything you wanted to know about Bullying : http://tvoparents.tvo.org/special/bullying-why-cant-we-stop-it2) Gordon Neufeld on What Makes a Bully : h...

Nelstar SG

There is only 2 professional for indians here, either IT or bankers, when you see them walk down the Shenton way, their heads are alway up up and away, more up then local Singapore girls and aunties, end up all rushing to foodcourt, mrt and bus. Our corporate lawyer, a singaporean who also do liquidation for firms use to tell me, every other day, someone will fall over the road or near construction site, and mostly are Indian IT and bankers from india.

Got 1 more.

Roti prata man.

BabylonPunkette SG

And this culture will fashion on as you get into bigger, more reputable company. I am just surprised that employees, belonging at the upper rungs of the hierarchy, are even experiencing the same, underhanded bullying just as much as those holding down non-executive roles.

I put it down to such bullies as their ways to hide their insecurities or to show "who's still the boss around here".

I experienced the same once. The passive-aggressive bullying came from my immediate superior and what's more, she had the whole team - whether they liked it or not - under her thumb to 'intensify and prolong' the bullying experience. Less than a month later, I resigned and never turned back since. I'd rather let go off that sum of steady income than end up bitter and hardened like her. That's not me. Not my style.

speakoutfor SG

I put it down to such bullies as their ways to hide their insecurities or to show "who's still the boss around here".

Whether bullies hide their securities by unleashing their tension to you or not, truth is bullies are everywhere - at home/ office/ church/ road/ etc. Unfortunately the one at the other far end is always the victim.

Yes you would rather let go your steady income but when you have a family to feed or kids to feed, its not as easy as ABC to quit and find another job not epecially when you are in your 40s or 50s, where this age is very unemployable in singapore.

It is an unfortunate truth but dear forumers, be prepared whether we like it or not, we bound to meet bullies in office - one day.

BabylonPunkette SG

It is an unfortunate truth but dear forumers, be prepared whether we like it or not, we bound to meet bullies in office - one day.

Because it's discouraging. It really affects one's mentality and performance. I can't perform well when someone pulls a cloak and dagger on me like that. Anyone can call it "tough love" to make less of that situation but it's not. Now I don't like taking the easy way out too but since I can't handle the heat in that kitchen, I get out. Rather cripple myself now than be labeled a complete fool who's out of depth.

Rddgrt SG

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for replying and even sharing your own stories.

My only intention here is to know WHAT to do to come out of this situation. Your suggestions, stories, ideas, experiences are immensely VALUABLE to me. My story is long, but trust me every paragraph will either tell you something OR will make recall your own experience.

Well my present company has a very high percentage of those people who are working from a long time in this company. Here, either people leave very quickly OR they just get STUCK like me. Majority of the staff is of Singaporeans.

There is no internal HR department. This company is only driven by Managers (roots of this bullying culture). This bullying culture flows from Top to Bottom.

Prior to this company, I have worked will top notch organizations of the IT industry. This is the smallest company (an SME) in my profile so far. Bullying is definitely persistent in big companies also, but NOT to this extent. This abusive bullying is clearly a violation of the civil laws.

Well I am trying my level best to get a job back home in India. But these reference checks (inter-HR) are the reason why I am still struggling to find a job. I cannot leave this job unless I find another one (in India).

When I came from India, I was totally unaware of this oppressive society (a complete abuse of power). Next time, I will think thrice before moving to any country for a Job/Assignment (unless it is a short one).

The caste system is India is now History (certainly not in 21st century). Inter caste/religion marriages are quite common (rather a trend) now.

What FUN it gives to bully anyone ? Why can’t we be strong enough to be at peace ?

Rddgrt SG

Looking forward to your support.

Please do share your ideas, suggestions, stories and experiences.

Thanks !

winsomeea SG

Rddgrt, since u r from India, I reckon u must be familiar with the caste system. I'm quite sure u have a bunch of low level caste workers , u yourself or ur family members hav looked down upon and abused before.

Now put yourself in their shoes and u will understand why u r being treated such by your superior.

it is quite amusing to see some higher caste Indians from India demanding they be treated equally by foreigners when they work for a foreign company. When Indians themselves r discriminatory back home. Why the double standard ?

Treat your own with respect and dignity first before u can expect from others.

Well said

winsomeea SG

TS, office bully is every where both in Singapore and other countries, nothing new about it.

If you cannot tolerate and find that it is affecting your work , resign and find another job. That is all about it.

Locals bully foreigners and foreigners bully locals, too. So ???????

winsomeea SG

Why do you want to still work in singapore when there are clearly more better jobs in India's booming IT industry particularly in Bangalore?

Although I have some good indian friends in malaysia and singapore, I've worked with them and they gave me a good impression, I, on the other hand had bad experiences with indian migrants in australia.

Here is one story. My family and I was about to board a flight from australia to home so we called a special hatchback taxi that can fit all our big luggages. The driver was an indian migrant. He parked his car in front of our apartment, opened the boot, just stood there like a stupid statue, while my family and I, struggled with our big luggages - he didn't even bother to help. In contrast when i got back to malaysia, we got an airport taxi, the malay taxi driver, even though he was only a small guy only 5 feet tall, but he took the initiative to carry our big luggages into his taxi car.

Then there is another story in australia. I was new to melbourne and decided to take a tram to a destination. So I took this tram, but not sure if thsi tram is going to this certain street, so i asked the indian tram driver (when I boarded the tram) whether this tram goes to this street. His answer was "No". Idiot ! When I got off, I looked at the tram signboard again and it turns out it does go there. Its no wonder the Aussies hated the indian "I don't care" culture.

My third experience, I joined this USA MNC many years ago because there was a job opening. It turns out that there were trying to outsource this job function to Bangalore, but the Bangalore guys screwed up big time and the company complained that they were rude like hell. So they decided to hire me to takeover. When I tookover, I had to ask the Bangalore people on the job handover. The bloody idiot in Bangalore was so rude, when he passed down all the job, it was crap messy.

I don't know about you - but I am sick and bored of the way those professionals coming india work - they only think about themselves and want to maximise every cent for the little work they do - so calculative.

An acquaintance told me her indian boss from India looks down on Singaporeans and her. Indians!!!! wahahahahahha

winsomeea SG

Ha ha ha! Next time you be there to prevent them from falling.

speakoutfor SG

Of course, its discouraging. But can we do anything about that? No. Because there will always be bullies that give us a hard time.

One way to avoid that is going thru interviews. At the interview, you can ask them back to find out what kind of bosses you will be working with. And find out about their HR Policy whether it protects staff to express themselves. Also before joining that company, try asking any of your friends working there how its like.

Once you start working there, its hard to turn back. Maybe you think the easy way out is to switch jobs. But chances are, you may end up jumping from a hot pot to a frying pan. You haven't build up your career where you are and suddenly you decide to leave in 6 months or one year, you hardly learn anything. New employers will look over your resume and find that you are a job hopper. When they interview and ask you what you learn in your previous job, you can't say much because you only worked there for 1 year.

I attended interviews and often they ask me why I only worked there for 3 years? I tell you, even when I switch job few times and each job is within 3 years, they see me as a job hopper. If you switch job every 1 year or 2 years, surely they will focus on that.

So before one accepts a job, do your homework and find out more about them before you accept the job.

BabylonPunkette SG

Of course, its discouraging. But can we do anything about that? No. Because there will always be bullies that give us a hard time.

So before one accepts a job, do your homework and find out more about them before you accept the job.

Really insightful and gets me thinking. Thanks for the good advice.

troublemaker2005 SG

life is short. you cannot have the best of both worlds. if youcan don;t cum here work, no bullying better in your own country. if in your own country still get bully then its not singapore's fault. otherwise, bite the bullet and eat the shit coz its the money here that smells sweet.

Miyuki miingguii SG

I am still a student. But I think u should find a new job. And I dun think the government will tolerate any of this. U must try to find concrete evidences that can b used to, like for example, put on stomp to raise awareness of this issue.

Tjze424 SG

I found a job in this co call Uni Global Biz Solutions Pte Ltd. It SUCKS to the max!!!! My boss scolded vulgarities on me... keeping scolding F word, he say all nasty things when i cant hit my target... and the worst ting was... after workin there few mths... THEY DIN PAY OUT MY SALARIES!!! I feel so helpless on how to counter them...why r there such companies??? i dont know what i can do...and im not singporean..not sure if they can help me..i'm lost!!!

Uraniumfish SG

This thread reminds me of a joke.

Q: Why don't witches wear panties?
A: They need to grip the broom.

angel7030 SG

It also tell you why roti prata indian men wear sarong with no underwear to flip their roti prata.

Because if go toilet, they do not need to use their oily hands to zip up and down

dangerboi SG

There is nothing and there will be nothing you can do to stop the bullying.

You either stay in the company or you leave the company.

JelloPoop SG

How about posting this in the India forum...

Jocelyntxh SG

Time to take a stand...

Talk back to him face to face!

Tell him to stop the crap he is doing!

« Previous Page Next Page »