In a troubling revelation on social media, a Singaporean employee has accused his employer of attempting to manipulate him out of generous paternity benefits following the announcement of his wife's pregnancy. The worker, who has been a standout performer at his company for four years, voiced his concerns on the Facebook page NUSWhispers.

Upon disclosing the news of his wife's pregnancy in January, he was allegedly confronted by his boss and HR for the first time regarding his performance, despite a solid track record. He shared that they produced performance complaints that seemed to align suspiciously with his impending paternity leave.

The worker described the paternity benefits offered by the company as generous, extending up to two additional months beyond the statutory leave provided by the government for fathers. This prompted suspicion that management was pressuring him with unreasonable objectives under a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) that was rolled out in May.

He claimed the goals laid out in this PIP were not only unattainable but crafted with the intent to ensure his failure. “I informed my boss that the objectives outlined in the PIP could not realistically be achieved in the given timeframe,” he stated.

As the situation escalated, the employee faced increasingly hostile treatment from his boss, who would frequently criticize his work and personal character during one-on-one meetings. He noted that his superior would often highlight minor mistakes, some of which dated back a year, seemingly to undermine his confidence and value within the team.

To add to his distress, HR appeared complicit, siding with management rather than supporting the worker in what he described as a workplace harassment scenario.

In July, shortly after his wife gave birth to their daughter, the worker took his government-mandated paternity leave. However, upon returning, he was immediately reassigned responsibilities to a colleague and ordered to continue with the PIP, an order he found incredibly pressuring and unreasonable given the family circumstances.

Despite the camaraderie from his team, his boss’s demeanor remained antagonistic, intensifying the work environment's toxicity. “This has severely affected my mental and emotional well-being. I am worried I will lose my job soon, despite my previous efforts and commitments,” he lamented.

Desperate for advice, he reached out to the online community, asking for perspectives on how to handle his plight, which resonated widely with others who had faced similar discrimination, particularly those regarding maternity leave.

The incident has sparked outrage among netizens, who criticized the company's handling of the situation and labeled it as workplace bullying. Many advised the worker to document each interaction with his boss and HR for potential legal recourse, while others recommended he consider leaving the job for his mental health.

As workplace discrimination continues to be a pressing issue in Singapore, particularly with regard to maternity and paternity leave, organizations like the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) have spotlighted this ongoing challenge. Data shows that substantiated cases of such discrimination have occurred frequently, underpinning the need for greater awareness and protective measures for all employees.

If you or anyone you know is facing similar challenges, it's vital to reach out for support from organizations that specialize in workplace rights and advocate for employee protection.