BORN into an Asian country, we are well familiar with the term that runs counter to the usual, “Work hard, play hard.”
In Asia, it is “Work hard, work harder,” which suggests why coffee consumption in this region is at an all time high.
Therefore it is a novel experience for us to read about work life balance in multinational corporations where overtime is frowned upon.
In a viral post on X by a netizen, an employee highlighted his boss who discouraged him from doing overtime, stating that it mean two things:
1/ The work is too much for you that you need help.
2/ You have bad time management.
Bestnya kena halau balik 🥹 pic.twitter.com/2ijJdccroP
— 🇲🇾 (@localrkyt) December 13, 2024
The post has since drawn comments from numerous netizens expressing their envy. Netizen eren, for example, gave a fair representation of our local firms and their mindset.
Then here is a comedy gold from Zack.De.La.Rongak.
Regardless, there are some local companies with redeeming qualities.
Another netizen shared that he once worked in a company in Petaling Jaya where the boss would get all the staff to leave sharp at 5.30pm, stating that there is no payment for overtime.
On another note, Side Eye added that it is appropriate that employers send back those employees who are suffering from a flu.
Ganesh K. added that European based multinational corporations are the best in terms of work life balance as these countries have a tight labour law.
“Right in the middle of a call, they could say that they needed to go to a concert and would be back in two hours. Others said they wanted to bring their pets for a walk,” he said.
However, Ganesh K. highlighted that on the side, these businesses are flexible too as they can move to another country and close up.
Then there was Afif who shared that Denmark only had four working days in a week, which contributed to a more productive workforce due to the lack of stress.
After reading the comment, netizen S said he know knew why most Asian countries have a high suicide rate.
Muhd Jamil Al Hakim who once worked in the UK was scolded by his employer for coming back the day after he took MC.
Interestingly, one netizen was not only ushered home for working late, but his action was also reported to his manager the following week and he received a scolding.
Skimming through all the wonderful experience of working in an alternate country, we can only sulk over a cup of coffee while the wall clock showed the time at 9.00pm.
Perhaps this viral post could inspire some of us to raise the issue with our metaphorical whip-wielding Asian employers.
But knowing how overtime is celebrated in our region, the way forward is likely a beverage with a higher caffeine content. —Dec 15, 2024
Main image: forbes
