I’ve always believed that a workplace should be a supportive environment, but my recent experience at my job has made me question that belief. I work in a mid-sized company in Singapore, with a contract that specifies regular office hours—five days a week, from 9 AM to 6 PM. I’ve been with the company for a couple of years, and while I’ve faced challenges, I’ve generally managed to handle them well. However, things took a turn recently that left me feeling frustrated.
A few weeks ago, I came down with a nasty flu. It hit me hard, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to perform at my best. So, I took a medical certificate (MC) and went home early that day. My boss, who is a foreign talent from Malaysia, was aware of my condition, and I thought I had done everything right by informing him.
That night, I received a call from him at around 11 PM. I was in bed, trying to rest, and I ignored the call. I figured he would understand that I was unwell and wouldn’t expect me to answer at such an hour. The next day, however, I was met with an unexpected confrontation.
When I arrived at the office, my boss called me into his office. “Why didn’t you answer my call last night?” he asked, clearly upset. I was taken aback. “I was on MC, sir. I was sick,” I replied, trying to remain calm.
His response surprised me. “That doesn’t matter! You’re still an executive in this company, and you should be available at all times!” I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. Was I really expected to be on call 24/7, even when I was unwell? It was hard to reconcile his expectations with the reality of my situation.
I left his office feeling defeated. It seemed that my title as an executive meant I had forfeited my right to personal time and health. I couldn’t help but wonder about the implications of my situation. In Singapore, the Employment Act provides certain protections for employees, but I had heard that those protections often don’t extend to managerial or executive roles. Did that mean I was left vulnerable, with no legal backing to defend myself against unreasonable demands?
As I sat at my desk, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of injustice. I began to question whether I was in the right job. Was this the kind of environment I wanted to be a part of? I had always prided myself on my work ethic, but at what cost?