Pros
Free masterclass in waiting for recognition that never comes, dodge blame like a pro, and maintaining your well-being in a toxic environment! Yay!
Cons
Favoritism: The boss has a clear "favorites" list, and it shows in everything -Favorites get celebrated and coddled, with farewell lunches when they leave, while everyone else just fades out without a word. -Favorites get invited on "meetings" that turn out to be secret lunch trips with the boss. -Only the same 3 favorites get sent on work trips abroad, leaving others without opportunities. -Favorites get to skip mundane tasks, handing them off to others while they focus on “urgent” tasks. Extreme Micromanagement and Unfair Rules: -A minute late? Expect a warning letter, even if you worked late for a store/event setup the night before. -Breaks are monitored down to the second, unless you’re a favourite who can disappear whenever and for however long they please. Huge Pay Disparity and Hidden Benefits: -Salary gaps are glaring, but the boss ensures the favorites get cushy perks like a paid car, a penthouse upgrade, and other boss-funded luxuries (while others are barely scraping by) -Promotions are handed out based on favoritism, not merit, which discourages actual hard work from anyone outside the inner circle Gossip Culture: -The favorites have daily gossip sessions in Mandarin, loud enough to make it clear they’re talking about others. If anyone else chats to wind down, it’s suddenly “unprofessional” and gets frowned upon. Incompetent and clueless Boss: -The boss's knowledge is secondhand, coming from “industry friends” and recycle “tips” poorly. Favorite advice: “Work harder, or AI will take your job.” -The boss sulks like a child if you don’t acknowledge his lengthy “advice,” which often sounds like it was written by ChatGPT because his english skills are barely at a kindergarten level. No Work-Life Balance: -Non-favorites are expected to be available 24/7, while the favorites are free to take long vacation breaks. -Long weekend? Enjoy your family time, but don’t forget to check your phone! If you don’t respond promptly, prepare to be shamed in the WhatsApp group for being “irresponsible.” Juggling Unrelated Roles: -You’re expected to juggle multiple unrelated roles at once because that’s deemed “growth.” Instead of focusing on your actual job, you’re constantly pulled in different directions, which only leads to burnout. Seniority Culture: -The seniority culture is strong here. Some employees throw around “I’ve been here since…” to boss people around, creating a toxic hierarchy that stifles collaboration and innovation. Taking Credit for Others’ Work: -If you feel like you led an idea, think again! A favorite can easily rephrase your idea and suddenly it’s their “brilliant” concept. It’s demoralizing to see your contributions dismissed while favorites bask in the spotlight. Disgusting Office Hygiene: -Not flushing seems to be a repeat offense, leaving restrooms in revolting condition. Management does nothing to address it because they’re more focused on getting a cool signage for the restrooms instead! Unclear Goals and Poor Communication: -Priorities shift constantly, making it impossible for non-favorites to succeed. Only the favorites seem to know what’s expected because the boss communicates directly with them. -Feedback is often vague or contradictory, leaving non-favorites scrambling to figure out how to kiss the boss’ bum. -The work environment is stressful, and there’s no support from management. You’re expected to figure everything out on your own, with little to no guidance. Demeaning Team Dynamics: -Team meetings often feel like public shaming sessions. Instead of constructive feedback, you’re subjected to vague criticisms that leave you feeling demoralized and confused. -The decision-making process is opaque. Employees are left in the dark about key company decisions, which fosters distrust and resentment. -Innovation is stifled. New ideas are often dismissed unless they come from a favourite. Only the status quo is accepted. Office Politics Over Performance: -Performance takes a back seat to office politics. If you’re not in the boss’s good graces, your contributions will go unnoticed, regardless of how hard you work! Racism: -Diverse employees often feel sidelined or tokenized, and their contributions are not valued the same way as those of their peers. Disregard for Employee Development: -Opportunities for training and development are reserved for favorites. The excuse is always “the course is in Mandarin”. If you want to grow your skills, you’ll have to find outside resources while favorites get all the internal training. Late Salaries: -Don’t count on getting paid on time. Salaries are frequently late, leaving employees scrambling to cover their bills. High Turnover Rate: -The company experiences a high turnover rate due to its toxic culture, making it clear that employees are unhappy and unwilling to tolerate the environment for long.