47% of S’pore Workers Do OT. Here’re the Hidden Reasons Why We Do It

Do you know that around 47% of the entire Singaporean working community is working overtime?

Yeah, monstrous figure, isn’t it? No thanks to unreasonable tasks and even more unreasonable workloads.

But unbeknownst to the common folk, there are actually other reasons why you’re forced to conduct overtime work.

Without further ado, let’s go through the 7 hidden reasons why you’re not going home on time...

Oh, you’re here to read an article, not to watch a video? Well, here goes.

Not focusing during work hours 

This one’s a given.

You were given a task to finish by the end of the day, and yet you spend your time napping, doodling and taking selfies with your colleague.

Can’t really expect to go back on time then, can you?

Taking too many breaks

Now, do not misunderstand me. Breaks are nothing harmful; in fact, they could be positive towards the overall cause if utilised properly.

But you know what they say: moderation is key.

So if you find yourself spending more time in the toilet than in the office…

Then wave goodbye to your early dismissal and say hello to that seductress Overtime.

Peer pressure

You’ve finished your work on time. Your bag is all prepared. You beam as you tuck in your chair neatly, and prepare to go off.

And then you see all your colleagues with their noses pressed close to the keyboards, and couldn’t help but question them.

“Hey, what time are you guys going off?”

When they tell you that they can only leave two or three hours from then, you start panicking.

If I ditch my colleagues and leave alone… will that make them have a bad impression of me? Will the boss think I’m inefficient?

Sweating, you clench your fist. There’s only one decision.

“Alright then, I will just stay as well,” you say glumly.

Which kind of defeats the purpose, seeing how you will probably just watch a video on Youtube and “while away the time” anyway.

(Oh, oh, oh, babe!)

No life beyond work

There are involuntary overtime workers.

And then there are voluntary overtime workers.

These legendary creatures, also known as workaholics, don’t need motivation to get through work.

They live for work.

In fact, you once tried asking your workaholic colleague for a drink. He kindly rejected, but you thought he was just being shy.

Until he slammed his palm on the table and looked at you with menacing eyes.

“No,” he says calmly, but you can tell that he’s going to punch you if you ask again.

Trust me; this kind’s scary.

Anyone who enjoys working scares me, honestly.

Super long lunch breaks

Lunch’s not just a period for you to satisfy your hunger; it’s also an interval that allows you to unwind briefly and accumulate some energy for the afternoon rush.

While there’s normally a fixed time period for lunch (one hour for the Goodyfeed staff), there might be companies out there that offer extended/flexible lunch hours based on job scope and stuff.

Nevertheless, take care not to overextend your lunch break.

You don’t want your lunch break to eat into your dismissal time, do you?

Or worse, your boss’ tolerance.

Unreasonable boss

And of course, we have the… unreasonable boss!

This boss will intentionally hold meetings when it’s off-work time, plant stacks of paper on your desk just as you’re packing your bags and task you to call someone important when you’re calling for a taxi.

(Damn, tough luck, dude in the red Polo shirt!)

Luckily for the Goody Feed staff, the boss is nothing like that.

Just take a look at all the reviews!

Goody Feed’s boss is like the best. Charismatic, charming and funny. Three in one – Mother Theresa

I haven’t seen him before, but I’m imagining a deity-like figure – Morgan Freeman

 

Where do I apply? – Tony Tan

Real good-looking guy – Cleaner lady on the same level

P.s. sorry boss, please don’t f me.

Chao Keng Master

And last but not least, we have the Chao Keng Master.

This ultimate hype-beast has a natural flair for the theatrics, and could smoke his way out of literally anywhere.

Apart from bullshitting nonsensical facts that make no sense to anyone except the boss, he will also draw up illogical pie charts to illustrate ridiculous numerical figures that don’t tally at all.

Unfortunately, the boss seems to be a sucker for him. Which leads to the next point:

Because he’s knocking off work even when he hasn’t done jack shit, the rest have no choice but to clear his workload.

And more often than not, it’s not a choice.

Consensus

So yeah, overtime might not necessarily be attributed to your boss.

Sometimes, it could be you instead.

So perk up, concentrate and knock off work on time.

As my boss puts it, “It might be painful during work hours, but at the very least you will be able to enjoy the rest of the day.”

Since you’re here, why not watch a video about a guy who lodged a Police report here in Singapore because he was friendzoned? Seriously. Here, watch it and do remember to share it (and also subscribe to Goody Feed YouTube channel)!

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com

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