My Rude Boss That Micromanages And Laughs At My Work: NUSWhispers (Work) | ZULA Answers | EP 8

In this episode of ZULA Answers, we discuss toxic bosses. From getting harassed by a HOD to being mocked by a micromanaging boss, join us as we dish out advice for dealing with their toxic ways!
Special Thanks to Sennheiser for providing the audio equipment, check them out here!
MK4 - en-sg.sennheiser.com/condense...
Here are the timestamps of the topics covered during the episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:41 - Confession 1: My Male HOD Is Harassing Me
6:50 - Confession 2: What Should I Do With A Condescending Boss Who Micromanages?
12:53 - Confession 3: Fired For Being An Introvert
18:03 - Confession 4: I think I’m Being Taken Advantage Of By My Boss
23:15 - Wrap Up and Conclusion
Submit your confessions here:
bit.ly/ZULAAnswers
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Featuring:
Brenda Tan- / brendatjy
Bolin Chen - / doughnutcookies
Filmed By:
Ariel Ho - / realsh1ny
Leonard Lee - / heyleonardhey​
Leah Shannon - / mizchiefmagik​
Edited By:
Ariel Ho
Business & Sponsorship Enquiries:
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[@ZULAsg]

Have you ever suffered under a toxic boss? How did you deal with it? Share with us your experience in the comments below! And if you’ll like some advice from our hosts, do send your confessions to us here: bit.ly/ZULAAnswers

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

😥

[@Mikiiiiiiiiiip]

For the introvert case, I don’t think the point is whether one is an introvert or extrovert. In every job, communication is essential and necessary. I’m also an introvert, and while I’m not exactly buddy buddy with my colleagues, I still try to communicate with them. I’ve also been scolded a few times for not being communicative enough but I realised that most of those instances was due to me wanting to stay in my comfort zone and not be communicative. A job is not meant to be a place where everything can be comfortable, or have everything catered. A job still requires one to work hard and that includes putting in the effort in soft skills like communication. Being an introvert does not mean one HAS TO be antisocial or not communicative. It requires more effort but it is not impossible.

[@w4r3arth]

Regarding the introvert confession: The fact that the company is willing to dismiss someone who they have put effort into training due to weak communications means that it is probably very important to the scope of work. Like Brenda mentioned, weak communications in customer facing roles are not ideal. Perhaps finding a more suitable/backend kind of job would be more fitting. But even then, there is still a need for good and clear communications with colleagues in order to fit in. Its not like studying, where your contributions are more individualistic. Hope that person manages to find something better and more suitable!

[@alnettesmith5032]

I encouraged my husband leave his company after many years of empty promises to move up to a higher position. He was there for 7 years. He does more than what is required of him and the new managers always ask him for help to do simple manager jobs like changing the cash register system. He eventually requested for a meeting with HR and a manager to find out ways he can improve himself to move up and they just never responded or even try making the meeting happen. So he quit.

[@GineviMedia]

I think Bolin mentioned about the perspective of a boss is so correct . Honestly when the superior keep looking at obvious mistakes , it really is more painful … maybe after 1 year 9 months is abit too long

[@choonkeonglim6178]

Yes. However, if the staff doesn't wish to be micro-managed, be prepared to answer for any mistakes made. At the end of the day, the employee can quit not the boss.

[@GineviMedia]

@@choonkeonglim6178 good if the employee quit , the boss will be happy 😊👍

[@usermc1234]

If the mistakes are not small, but critical? I think we should also give the boss the benefit of the doubt.. if after so long, she still needs to jaga the junior like she did in day 1, is it because she feels that the junior is still far from how good he needs to be? Not true too that boss cannot quit, employees can. The boss is also a contributing employee to the organisation. We wouldn't know if for sure, but perhaps someone higher up is pressurising the boss to keep this junior? It really does work like that often, I can tell you that HR in some companies can bang table and make it clear that they do not want to rehire and go through the entire process, and pressurise the boss and team to keep the junior on board

[@jlee438]

@@usermc1234 then as the boss ur #1 suppose to look out for the people that works for u. #2 find out ways besides scolding and laughing at the employee to make it easier on urself and the junior employee him/herself simple solution would have grammarly on the computer... most students and businesses nowadays all use it... so its the boss's fault for not making a great solution to the problem... atleast that what i would have done personally if i was the boss... this woulda been already handled b4 the probationary period ended if u guys have those in singapore idk im not from there..

[@tengsiang8399]

i really like this 2 hosts giving gd advice 👍👏💯

[@onefiveohnine]

did Bolin just directly translate 环境 to environment, and that's why environmental awareness...? HAHAHA

[@taseeeeeel]

I THINK SO LMAO-

[@usermc1234]

For #1 Male harassment issue- ask around to check if your female colleagues have noticed the same thing. But whether or not they have noticed or experienced the same thing, don't let this stop you from reporting the issue to HR if you feel affected by it, so that HR can have time to investigate. HR will do the questioning around for you. And even if that guy means no harm, he has to know that he's causing unnecessary discomfort, and this should be stopped.

[@ProjectElf]

I love Brenda's fringe. Actually bolin's English really improved alot already. I watched him ever since he joined tsl n i can really see the improvement! 👍

[@iam3862]

pls never stop making these vids!

[@killerillusion]

Love this segment!

[@neekng1759]

I've been following your videos for years and just to give a shoutout to Bolin! Aside from the environmental awareness, I think your English has improved tremendously! Keep it up, Bolin!!! Also, very insightful advice, you both!

[@hikari443]

Really enjoy watching this NUS Whisper do keep it going ^_^

[@pandakee9463]

Rude bosses are like rude teachers😕

[@minghui2254]

As for the introvert case, communication is necessary during work. Personal stuff dont need to share with colleagues, they are not your friends. Just talk abt the problem faced during the work, what to eat and drink, what the solution can alrdy. For me, i think the main highlight is my colleagues does laugh out loud at my english cause my english is not that strong. I m still trying my best to improve although i still make mistakes. I feel like they are really fcked up collleagues. I also kena body shamed, i did put on weight but i dont think its right for them to tell me u r fat etc... They also do said my memory is poor but their memories is worse than mine. -.- Stuff they taught me they can ownself go forget one, stuff they never teach me can become they teach de. I just been there for 6 months i feel like coming to work i want to died alrdy.

[@chrisathian5450]

you need to be a bully at work to thrive. i see it in many workplace, if you are a bully people hesitate to disturb you or point out your mistake. my director didn't like me. one day he slap the table so hard and raise his voice because i don't want to do what he ask (complicated, I can't pour the detail here). next morning, i told one of my colleague (who i know always gossiping with him), that if director once more yell at me i will tend my resignation letter and tell HO is because of director harsh treatment. After that he never yell at me again. After that incident i feel like want to change job so badly. but after few weeks that feeling lessen. i try to see it from other perspective. i must be a thorn in the eyes of my director. me being at the office must be make him uncomfortable. that petty thought make me stay, cuz who are we kidding. we all need money here.

[@chungheonable]

toxic... leave...

[@usermc1234]

They all sound like some of the contestants of a Chinese reality show 乘风破浪的姐姐 season 1. Very in your face characters, don't like to be kept under anyone's thumb, always wanting to tell people what they must do, how they want them to help, and pointing out their mistakes and shortcomings, and never taking others' input into consideration. And always trying to talk over one another and wanting to vie for central attention, like they've been living there since forever. If there's nothing you more u wanna learn there, or.. if you can't see yourself being able to make a plan to learn what you want to learn, you can start to send out your resumes to new job postings bah. Tahan until you can victoriously throw your resignation letter. And no need to argue waste your time to argue with people already... cos next year this time you may not be here.

[@splashburst]

I really like this series hosted by Brenda and Bolin!

[@bel2709]

LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Will this series be ever uploaded as podcast in Spotify?? Talk shows are the best when travelling from places to places and also when working :')

[@nigelleong4629]

Hope to see videos of these 2 more often. Truly enjoy their honest opinions and contents covered

[@itzSoonz]

Confession 3: Solution is "Just be a social chameleon and adapt to the environment that you're thrown into"

[@okcoconuts]

From my experience, working in a role that expected more extroversion than my usual self was great for development. At the same time I’ve left a role which I really felt I wasn’t a fit for and never regretted it a bit!

[@Orhneeyou]

Bolin gives super good advices!

[@Jo-lz4ie]

I’m introvert and I’m doing sales. It doesn’t mean being an Extrovert could speak better, being an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t speak. Keeping quiet doesn’t mean introvert. People who keep ranting doesn’t constitute as extrovert but they just like ranting!

[@alvinwongweiye]

I feel the introvert case is very easy to fix IMO cause i am an introvert but then i started working in retail and at first i hardly start a convo with any customers and i was constantly scolded for it and told me to try to open up more and after a few months i became more open to talking to strangers and now i am kinda ambivert kinda but when i am alone normally i will be introverted and tend to do my own things and not talk at all so i feel it is possible to switch between an ambivert at work and an introvert when u are with yourself and all u need is to try

[@Jo-lz4ie]

Touching is an offensive act, confrontation shouldn’t be avoided

[@zindoka]

I totally feel for the being fired for being an introvert. I've also been fired for being an introvert before although I did my job well. Agreed with what was said though

[@hikari443]

I have this issue too and my boss will tell me how to improved on that ,some won't bother and never re contract lor.

[@usermc1234]

#2. The email templates are a good suggestion, but honestly I don't believe that the boss hasn't already given them over to the junior. The fact that the boss feels the need to check the junior's work shows a high level of distrust... .. if it can't be helped, I really suggest that between them, the boss personally take on certain critical emails instead of leaving them to the junior. The boss should Just write them and cc the junior in them. But junior is expected to read and keep herself informed on the current developments.. while she helps with other related tasks. At the same, leave some of the less critical communications entirely to junior to let her get used to owning them. She will learn better than having the boss breathing down her neck, and even if she makes mistakes, she will have to find her own way to not repeat them.

[@chengshengway]

12:53 - 18:02 fully understood

[@Lala_lalacllll]

I used to have a HOD that doesn't speak to any of her staff that is not at management lvl. And she tells her managers not to get close & minimize small talks to non-management staff...

[@usermc1234]

Different management style. It depends on which employment phase a person is in leh.. At one point, small talks lead to complaints and unnecessary commiserations.. leading to low efficiency and prob even 罢工。but this would be entirely different in another phase

[@awkwardsmile]

can i just say those commenters: outgoing is not interchangeable for extrovert. introvert and extrovert are personality types. what the op should be saying is that the boss wants her/him to be more outgoing. i don't think one can change their personality type over 3 months. i think the boss is looking for a certain personality to suit the company culture. if the company requires you to contribute ideas actively or do sales like what bolin say.. then yeah maybe in the first place, the expectations should have been expressed or you should not even be hired if that's that important.

[@maedaydreamer8386]

Being an introvert doesnt mean you cant learn to communicate see it from another perspective

[@TheSchwardz]

I have a similar incident, however gender reversal. I’m a new manager and this Female intern always tries to catch my eye contact every time I pass her cubical. She is from different department so I have no related topic to look for her, it just that we Introduced ourselves during orientation. Since I’m single thinking maybe can just wing it. But my outside friend ask me to drop the idea, office romance is bad when things doesn’t workout. Thus, I’m risking more to my career for this. So I listen to my friend, and every time she looks at me, I always act like i didn’t recognise it. I look like an ass tho, but it’s for the best. What do you think?

[@f.p1758]

Only watched the first clip: Is bolin tryin to explain spatial awareness

[@sw123n7]

The first story about the hod how can the head misuse his authority and status fuck

[@jasontungjw]

If someone ever keeps laughing at my English over the phone I will just kup the phone

[@beckham48]

Is really like molest you through the eyes If u confront the manager he may switch and say no I am not and he will try to turn the point to you like u being too sensitive sometime in small company hr is also boss gang, there is no nuturing Boss,if u are his gang u have a smooth working life if u are not he will make ur life difficult,can have part 2 of this video there is really alot alot of toxic people /bosses in company

[@usermc1234]

#2 "toxic" boss who micromanages you and laughs at your language proficiency. Actually, I feel that if you have more than 2 overarching prevalent issues that you can't seem to settle with your boss. You do need to sit down with her and her boss to agree on a way forward.

[@claudinetan4612]

I don't like Bolin's new hair. Can you ask him to cut his hair please?

[@juventusfcrules]

Bolin really came across like he's defending the first boss

[@frostbitepokin9520]

It is a non biased review

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

😥

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

😥😥

[@user-oh6wb5rj2q]

13:34

[@roysivaraj2089]

Try not using the words 'right' and 'correct' frequently. Shows lack of confidence and gives the impression you're unsure of yourself.

[@farrhanng]

Labelling yourself as an introvert is just an excuse.

[@juzforworks]

3 years working still need QC email. this for me already numb