A Malaysian IT worker has shared how he allegedly failed his probation after refusing to take part in the company’s unspoken office culture, which included staying back after work and trying to please the boss.
In a post shared on XUAN Facebook page, the worker recalled joining an IT company where he initially thought the fast paced industry would offer good pay and plenty of career opportunities.
However, he soon realised that doing his job well was apparently not the only thing that mattered.
Was told to stay back on Friday nights
When he first joined the company, a senior colleague was assigned to guide him.
According to the worker, the senior was initially helpful and taught him about the job, but eventually began giving him advice on how he should behave in the workplace.
For instance, the worker usually left the office at 6pm on Fridays once his working hours were over.
However, the senior reportedly told him that the boss often had activities on Friday nights and questioned why he did not take the initiative to stay back and accompany him.
He was also allegedly told not to be too rigid when dealing with people.
The worker said he would usually claim that he had matters to attend to at home, although the real reason was that he did not believe his personal time should be used to please his superior.
Labelled as someone who did not fit in
The same issue allegedly happened during lunch breaks.
While his colleagues would play games together after eating, he preferred using the remaining time to take a short nap.
Over time, he claimed that others began viewing him as someone who was not sociable and did not know how to fit in with the group.
He also noticed that the senior colleague was close to one of the supervisors.
According to him, even small mistakes he made at work were later magnified and interpreted as problems with his attitude or ability.
The situation eventually became clearer when the senior spoke to him privately one day.
Senior said workplace success was not just about ability
The worker claimed the senior told him that bosses naturally preferred employees who knew how to please their superiors.
He was also allegedly told that several hints had already been given to help him fit in, but that he had wasted the opportunity himself.
The senior then reportedly said that the worker might not be suitable for the company and would eventually realise that surviving in the workplace was not just about being capable at the job.
He also revealed that he had previously raised concerns about the worker’s performance with the supervisor.
Shortly afterwards, the worker failed to pass his probation.
Rather than feeling angry, he said he felt relieved when he left the company.
Now leads a team of 10 engineers
After leaving, the worker found another job and continued building his career.
Years later, he is now a Senior Manager leading a team of 10 engineers.
He said he has never expected his own team members to flatter or please him, adding that what matters most to him is whether they perform their jobs properly.
To him, ability, responsibility and mutual respect are more important than knowing how to play office politics.
More recently, he happened to meet his former senior colleague again at a restaurant and claimed the man still behaved in the same condescending manner.
Looking back, the worker said he was grateful that he did not remain at the company, as he feared he might have eventually become the kind of person he disliked.
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