I work in Jurong Island, the heart of Singapore’s chemical and petrochemical industries. Every day, I cross the causeway, pass through security, and step into a high-stakes, high-pressure environment. But honestly, it’s not just the nature of the work that wears me down — it’s my boss.
My boss is a foreign talent (FT) from Malaysia who has taken up Singaporean citizenship. On paper, that shouldn’t matter. After all, Singapore prides itself on meritocracy and diversity. But in reality, working under him feels like hell. He micromanages everything I do — from the way I write emails, to the way I arrange my reports, to the exact words I use when talking to colleagues or vendors. There’s no space for trust, no autonomy, no breathing room. I constantly feel like I’m walking on eggshells.
The worst part is the threats. Almost every week, he reminds me that I’m replaceable. “If you don’t want the job, I can easily hire someone cheaper,” he says, implying he could find foreign labour who would work for less. Imagine hearing that as a Singaporean, working in your own country, being told that your contributions, your time, and your commitment are worth nothing more than the next cheaper hire. It’s demoralizing, it’s humiliating, and it chips away at my motivation day by day.
He often contradicts himself, too. One moment he tells me to take the initiative, make decisions, and lead projects. The next moment, when I do just that, he lashes out, saying I acted without consulting him, that I overstepped. It’s a no-win situation. On top of that, his language is abusive. He swears, belittles, and scolds over the smallest things — sometimes even in front of colleagues.
I’ve thought about quitting. Believe me, I want to. But finding a new job isn’t as easy as it sounds. The market is competitive, especially in specialized industries like the one I’m in. Plus, there’s the uncertainty — will the next place be any better, or will I jump from one toxic boss to another?
So, what should I do? I’ve been reflecting on this a lot. First, I know I need to start documenting everything — the abusive language, the threats, the contradictory instructions. If things escalate or if I need to explain my departure to future employers, having a clear record will help. Second, I need to quietly but actively start job hunting. I can’t let this situation break me down completely. Updating my resume, networking, reaching out to contacts — these are small but critical steps to take back some control.
Lastly, I’m reminding myself that my worth as a Singaporean worker is not defined by one terrible boss. I have skills, experience, and value. This season feels like hell, yes — but I have the power to climb out of it.
Have you ever been in a situation like this? How did you handle it?