SINGAPORE – A local administrative assistant is trading desk-bound downtime for the fast-paced legal world after securing a life-changing career opportunity that quadruples their current earnings. Despite being just two months into a long-term agency contract, the worker announced their departure this week to join a prominent law firm, highlighting a stark disconnect between their current underutilized role and a desire for professional growth. The transition, set to begin in just five days, underscores a growing trend of “boreout” among temporary staff who find themselves restricted by strict monitoring and a lack of meaningful tasks.
The story
About 2 months ago I got a temporary job as an assistant via an agency and while it’s a nice job and I like the people there.
I don’t think I’m a great match because there are long periods of just doing nothing every single day.
While I don’t like to be overworked and stressed, I also don’t like to be doing very little all day. We aren’t allowed to read when there are no customers, and the computers are monitored pretty strictly so I probably wouldn’t be able to do something productive that would improve my personal life such as doing a course or something.
Last week I got offered a job in a law firm, starting in 5 days.
I have told the agency about the job offer, but haven’t been able to tell the manager herself as she is off sick. I would feel bad for leaving them without much warning because my contract was supposed to end in mid-April of next year. Some family and friends have told me to just leave, while others have said I need to stay until the contract ends.
Will it look bad on me?
The job offer is about 4 times the amount of salary I am getting.
Conclusion:
The situation remains a point of contention among the worker’s inner circle, reflecting a broader debate over professional loyalty versus personal advancement. While some advisors advocate for honoring the original April expiration date, the overwhelming financial incentive—a 300% pay increase—coupled with the restrictive nature of the current environment, has ultimately tipped the scales toward resignation. As the five-day countdown begins, the focus shifts to the logistical challenge of offboarding while management remains on medical leave, marking a definitive end to a brief chapter defined more by its stillness than its substance.
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