Wah lau eh, I really cannot tahan this kind of double standard. Every time we have town hall or HR talk about “gender equality” and “fairness in the workplace,” my colleague—let’s call her Michelle—is the first one to nod her head until like what. Always talking about “breaking the glass ceiling” and how women deserve the exact same treatment and opportunities as men.
Okay, steady, I support 100%. Equal pay for equal work, right?
But then, comes the real test. End of the quarter, project deadline coming, and boss says we need to OT to finish the documentation. Suddenly, Michelle becomes very “damsel in distress.” She will start packing her Baggu bag at 5:45 PM. When I ask her if she finished her part, she will give the most pattern-more-than-badminton excuse.
“Eh, sorry ah, quite late already. A bit dangerous for a girl to go home alone if it’s too dark, right? Can you help me cover? You’re a guy, you’re stronger/faster/more tahan anyway.”
Siao liao. What logic is this? If you want the same progression and the same bonus, then you must put in the same “blood, sweat, and tears” lah. Why is it when it comes to promotion, we are “equal,” but when it comes to arrowing people for saikang or staying back until 10 PM, it becomes “men should protect women”?
The best part? Next morning she will come in with her Starbucks, fresh as a daisy, and tell me: “Wah, you look so tired leh, must take care of your health!” My sister in Christ, I am tired because I was doing your work until my Grab home was $35!
I thought we moved past this kind of “gentleman” culture in the corporate world? Fairness is not a buffet where you only pick the parts you like. You want the seat at the table? Then take the OT that comes with it. Don’t use your gender as a “get out of work free” card then complain about the patriarchy the next day. Wake up can or not?
Rant over. Back to my cold kopi-O.