2.8
36% would recommend to a friend
36% positive business outlook
Pros
Great environment, great team, great job overall.
Cons
Boss is micromanaging, petty, and sexist. Few staff stay beyond a year because boss can't control his temper. He even scolds the students attending the classes.
Pros
Free drinks and lunch plus free raw materials
Cons
This review aims to shed light on the numerous issues that plague this organization, which makes it an incredibly poor choice for anyone seeking a positive and fulfilling work environment. 1. Below-Average Salary: The remuneration at Tombalek is far below industry standards. Despite investing your time, effort, and skills into the company, you will find yourself struggling to make ends meet. The low wages are not commensurate with the responsibilities and dedication required for the job. 2. Megalomaniac and Narcissistic Boss: The boss at Tombalek is nothing short of a megalomaniac and a narcissist. He thrives on belittling and intimidating employees, particularly those who are more meek and vulnerable. His behavior creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety, making it impossible to thrive in such a toxic work environment. 3. Discord Among Team Members: Rather than fostering teamwork and collaboration, the boss actively sows discord among team members. He pits employees against each other, promoting an unhealthy competition that undermines productivity and damages morale. This constant strife further adds to the already toxic workplace atmosphere. 4. Exploitative Work Practices: Tombalek has a complete disregard for employee rights. Overtime work is not compensated, despite it being a regular occurrence. On top of that, employees are frequently coerced into staying late to clean up or attend last-minute meetings, cutting into their personal time and disrupting work-life balance. 5. Unsafe Workshop Conditions: The workshop at Tombalek is a hazard in itself. It fails to meet basic safety requirements, putting employees' well-being at risk. The constant presence of ceramic dust, sawdust, and metal dust creates a perpetually unhealthy and dusty environment, which can lead to respiratory issues and other health concerns. 6. Bullying and Micromanagement: The boss takes pleasure in picking on employees' weaknesses, constantly reminding them of their shortcomings. Moreover, he exhibits an insatiable desire to micromanage every aspect of the job, leaving employees feeling suffocated and stripped of autonomy. He even goes to the extent of meddling in their personal lives, crossing the boundaries of professionalism. 7. Lack of Benefits and Medical Coverage: Tombalek exhibits a total disregard for the well-being of its employees. There are no medical benefits provided, leaving employees to bear the burden of healthcare expenses. Additionally, taking sick leave is met with unpaid leave, placing further financial strain on the already underpaid workforce. 8. Ignoring Notice Period: To add to the long list of grievances, it is important to highlight that at Tombalek, the concept of a notice period is merely an illusion. Despite the employment contract clearly stating the required notice period, the boss conveniently disregards this provision. If an employee decides to quit, they are not allowed to serve the notice period, further demonstrating the boss's complete lack of respect for the rights and obligations outlined in the contract. 9. Lack of Proper Standards: Tombalek operates without any semblance of proper standards or protocols. The absence of defined guidelines and procedures adds to the chaos and confusion within the organization. This lack of structure permeates every aspect of the job, making it incredibly challenging to maintain consistency and quality in work output. The issues of disregarding the notice period and the absence of proper standards only further underscore the blatant disregard for professionalism and legal obligations exhibited by Tombalek. It is crucial for potential employees to be aware of these additional concerns, as they highlight the overall dysfunction and disregard for basic employment norms within the organization. In conclusion, working at Tombalek has been an incredibly demoralizing and degrading experience. The combination of a below-average salary, an egotistical and manipulative boss, a toxic work culture, and numerous exploitative practices make it abundantly clear that this is a job to avoid at all costs. I strongly advise prospective employees to seek employment elsewhere, where their skills and dedication will be appreciated and rewarded appropriately.
Pros
- Probably one of the only places in Singapore you can learn glassblowing and blacksmithing - Free lunch - Can work on your own projects after company time (Albeit senior workers need to be present or around)
Cons
Most problems with the company stem from the boss and how he runs his company. -Boss is extremely impatient and likes to play the blame game when you make honest mistakes. - Will say you can ask him any question but when you genuinely try to clarify, will mock you. - Likes to make very unprofessional jokes and remarks, often belittling you and at your expense - Will often gaslight you when you told him he told you ______. Displays clear frustration and anger when you try to talk about it with him. - Safety for the workshop is a joke. There was supposed to be an exercise for a fire emergency in December of 2025, I left a few months after that. To this day I don't know if they have ever had that exercise. Cancer causing materials with silica dust are openly left next to workshop attendees and instructors. - Instructors are stretched thin. Boss tries to overstretch maximum number of - The booking system in place is unreliable. Many times there will be random people showing up for a workshop that is not reflected in the schedule. So you are left to try and squeeze them into a slot when you are already over the max capacity of students to take.
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