Introduction

In Singapore, a worker employed at a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) has bravely shared his overwhelming experience of managing an entire project single-handedly for the last eight months, without any support from upper management. Instead of encouragement, he faces reprimands whenever issues arise, which has left him feeling drained, undervalued, and anxious.

Personal Experience

In a candid post on the r/askSingapore subreddit, the employee expressed his dread of going to work each day. "There’s not a single day that I look forward to. I feel exhausted and unappreciated. The anxiety of waiting to be scolded is consuming me," he lamented. Despite his relentless efforts, he battles feelings of guilt and questions his resilience, worrying that he might be perceived as "weak-minded" due to the stress.

SME Environment Challenges

He also highlighted the harsh realities of the SME environment, where employees often assume roles and responsibilities designed for multiple people due to the lack of adequate staffing. Coupled with a rigid work culture—where work-from-home options are nonexistent and employees are discouraged from leaving early—even the possibility of flexibility feels unattainable.

Additional Burdens

Furthermore, the employee mentioned the additional burdens of submitting "weekly updates" and completing "timesheets," voicing frustration over these time-consuming tasks when his plate was already overflowing. Many of his colleagues endure similar hardships, with the management's tendency to accept more projects despite being critically understaffed. “They’re clearly overworking their skilled workers, and most people just stick it out for the duration of their contracts before moving on,” he noted.

Community Reactions

This troubling experience resonates with many other Singaporean Redditors, who shared their own stories of hardship in SMEs. One user recounted a grueling ten-month stretch at a small company, characterized by relentless overtime and a lack of annual bonuses, culminating in their decision to leave when management attempted to slash salaries by 20%. Another shared harrowing experiences of being scolded for setting healthy boundaries, explaining how they were expected to work late into the night even on days off.

Advice from Fellow Redditors

Yet amidst the shared despair, some users offered valuable advice. One respondent urged the employee to prioritize his mental health and adopt a smarter approach to his workload: "If you can handle more, all you’ll get is more work. Focus on your actual job and start looking for a better opportunity." Another commented sagely, "Gain experience and move on after a year."

Contrast in Experiences

In a troubling contrast to this situation, another conversation on Reddit unveiled the story of a 25-year-old man who recently reported losing a staggering $20,000 in trading. Ignoring the warnings of his loved ones when his losses amounted to $5,000, he confessed his regret and asked how to shift his focus from the overwhelming weight of financial success to a more balanced life.

Conclusion

These instances shed light on the pressures faced by employees within SMEs and in high-stakes financial pursuits. They remind us of the importance of mental health, support systems, and the reality that sometimes, the best path forward is to seek new opportunities.