The frustrated intern asks, “Is this really what the Singaporean workforce is like?” after the toxic HR encounter

SINGAPORE: An intern from Singapore recently took to Reddit r/SGExams forum to share her unpleasant experience at work, detailing the pressures she faced and an incompetent HR representative that significantly affected her health and well-being.

In her post on Wednesday (November 20), the intern claimed the company’s HR representative had a deep bias against interns, labeling them “lazy and untrustworthy.”

Despite performing her duties effectively, she expressed her frustration at being unfairly labeled.

“I did my assigned work very well and (HR) should be the last to call me lazy or untrustworthy since she is not even in charge of my department,” the intern wrote.

Her troubles escalated when she fell ill, but she felt compelled to report to work to avoid further criticism.

“When I took MC last time, she kept rolling her eyes at me and giving me very uncomfortable looks,” she explained.

Fearing judgment, she decided to push through her illness, only to endure a physically demanding day.

“I went to work very sick and shivering because the air conditioning was so cold. I literally already looked like I was going to die.”

Despite her visible discomfort, none of her colleagues offered assistance, except for another intern who showed concern.

“Only my other intern friend kept checking my temperature and holding my hand to keep me warm,” she recounted.

“The other ‘adults’ were just minding their own business.”

What upset her the most was the HR representative’s reaction when she finally asked to leave early.

“She looked so crazy. I’m just wondering: is this what I need to step into in the future? Is this really what the Singapore workforce is like?”

Prolonged stress also affected her health, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and insomnia.

“With the lack of sleep and crazy work hours, I don’t know if I’ll survive until the end of (this) internship,” she lamented.

Reddit users share sympathy and advice

Reddit users flooded the post with comments, offering sympathy, advice and insights into workplace culture.

Several commenters suggested that the intern was unlucky to end up in a toxic work environment.

One described it as “a super toxic company” and encouraged her to see the internship as a temporary stepping stone, looking forward to better opportunities in the future.

Another echoed this sentiment, suggesting the intern was simply unlucky to end up in a toxic workplace, reassuring her that better environments exist.

Others speculated that the company might be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and recommended moving to a multinational corporation (MNC) for a more professional and supportive experience.

Users advise the intern to prioritize health

While some expressed sympathy, others took a more pragmatic approach, advising the intern to remember that the workplace is competitive and colleagues are not friends.

They encouraged her to seek medical attention, take sick leave if needed, and not worry about what others think.

One user pointed out that the workforce works very differently from school.

In a professional setting, promotions and bonuses often create a competitive environment where colleagues may prioritize their own advancement over the well-being of others.

Another user acknowledged the intern’s frustration, but reminded her that co-workers are simply people she works with, not individuals obligated to care about her well-being.

They emphasized that although it may be difficult to accept, one should not expect colleagues to prioritize one’s health over their own.

In the workplace, most people are focused on their own goals and it is rare to find support or genuine concern from others.

Another commenter acknowledged that the intern’s experience was not unusual because jobs often consist of a mix of personalities.

They urged the intern to get proper rest if he falls ill in the future, warning that companies will not take care of employees’ health and stressing that sacrificing health for a job is never worth it.

Users suggest filing complaints

One user recommended that if the internship was arranged through a school program, the intern could file a complaint about the HR representative’s behavior, specifically labeling the interns as lazy.

While the chances of action being taken may be slim, filing repeated complaints could result in the company being blacklisted for future placements.