A Malaysian Gen Z worker has sparked debate online after sharing his experience working for a small company allegedly run by a husband-and-wife duo, claiming he was expected to handle nearly every task in the office — including cleaning duties.
The story, which was widely circulated on Malaysian social media platforms, drew attention after the worker described how drastically different life felt between working in large corporations and small family-run businesses.
According to the employee, he had previously joined several large companies after graduating but struggled to adapt to the corporate environment. He claimed he often resigned within days due to the rigid systems and pressure.
Hoping for a better experience, he later joined a smaller company operated by a married couple.
However, things reportedly became overwhelming very quickly.
Employee Claims He Was The Company’s Only Worker
The Gen Z worker alleged that the business had only one employee — himself.
He described his position as an “all-rounder” role where he had to manage administrative duties, office errands, and even cleaning responsibilities.
According to him, the office itself was small and offered limited employee benefits. While he understood that smaller companies usually require staff to multitask, he felt the workload became unreasonable because there was nobody else to share responsibilities with.
He eventually resigned after working there for about six months.
The post resonated strongly with many younger workers online, especially those who said they had experienced similar situations in smaller businesses where job scopes were unclear.
Lunch Break And Commission Disputes Allegedly Added To Frustration
The former employee also claimed workplace rules frequently changed depending on his employer’s mood.
He alleged that although the company officially scheduled lunch breaks at 12pm, his boss had previously told him it was acceptable to head for lunch slightly earlier at around 11.50am.
However, he later claimed he was suddenly questioned for “always eating too early”, despite allegedly receiving prior approval.
The worker also accused the company of failing to honour promised commissions.
According to him, he had been informed during the interview process that he would receive commissions for securing customer orders. But when he later resigned and asked about the payments, the employer allegedly argued that his role was merely an assistant position.
The bosses reportedly claimed the sales he handled were only considered “follow-up work” rather than direct sales, making him ineligible for commission payouts.
He further alleged that his employers attempted to persuade him repeatedly not to leave the company.
Netizens Debate Pros And Cons Of Small Companies
The viral story triggered heated discussion online, with many Malaysians sharing mixed opinions about working in small businesses, particularly companies operated by family members or married couples.
Some netizens warned that husband-and-wife-run companies can sometimes blur professional boundaries, making workplace dynamics more emotionally driven compared to structured corporate environments.
Others argued that smaller firms naturally require employees to be flexible because they may lack manpower and resources.
At the same time, many agreed that employees should always clarify their job scope, commission structure, benefits, and workplace policies before accepting any offer.
The incident also reignited conversations about Gen Z workplace expectations, employee rights, and the growing importance of transparent employment contracts in today’s job market.