When it comes to working in an office, employees are typically expected to follow by professional codes of conduct to ensure that the workplace remains conducive for productivity.
This can come in the shape of specific dress code requirements in the workplace, to policies regarding what employees are allowed to do during working hours. For most working adults, these are simply norms that we have come to expect. But that was not the case for one fresh graduate who recently joined the workforce, who complained that the instructions given by his HR were confusing.
Fresh graduate tells off HR for condemning his attire and behaviour in office
In an anonymous post that was submitted to local radio station 988’s Facebook page, the fresh graduate explained that when he interviewed for the job, he was informed that the dress code in the company was casual. On top of that, he was not expected to work overtime as the job was a typical 9 to 5 role.
“They offered me a RM3,000 salary and even though the pay isn’t high, I accepted it as it seemed chill and was near my home”, he said.
He then shared that on his first day of work, he decided to dress up casually by wearing a T-shirt and shorts that sit right above his knees. Upon reaching his workplace, he was promptly asked to head to the HR’s department and was told that he shouldn’t be wearing shorts to work.
Source: Mart Production (Pexels)
“They told me that I should look after my image more, but I don’t see the issue! They said that the dress code was casual and so I wore T-shirt and shorts!”, he explained.
As he was still a newbie to the company, his boss decided against giving him too much to do at the start. Given the amount of free time he had on his hands, he decided to log on to YouTube and watch videos on company time. To his surprise, he was once again called in by the HR department.
Understandably, the fresh graduate was told off for watching YouTube videos during work hours as it would interfere with his productivity and may make him seem lazy.
“I wasn’t given much to do, do they expect me to go around and ask each of my colleagues if there’s anything I could help out with?” he questioned in exasperation.
Source: Antoni Shkraba production (Pexels)
When it was lunch time, he asked his colleagues if they wanted to have lunch at a café nearby but all of his colleagues have decided to head over to a nearby hawker centre instead. While he was appalled by their choice of a lunch spot, he tagged along as he hoped to bond with them.
But, as soon as they sat down, his colleagues started talking to each other about work and he couldn’t understand why his colleagues would rather talk about work than other things in life.
Source: World Nomads
“Why couldn’t they just keep quiet and enjoy lunch? Why must they talk about work?” he lamented.
He then ended his post by pointing out how none of his colleagues would leave the office on time, and asked if it was difficult in this day and age to find a job that could offer proper work-life balance.
As one could expect, netizens didn’t take kindly with the fresh graduate’s sense of entitlement, and have been quick to condemn him for his lack of self-awareness when working in a professional space.
“I understand they told you that you could dress casually to work, but I think it’s common sense to not wear shorts when you go to work? Do incidents like these happen because everyone’s common sense is different?”
Source: 988 (Facebook)
Source: 988 (Facebook)
“In this case, you are probably better suited to be your own boss.”
Source: 988 (Facebook)
“Just because they said you could wear something casual doesn’t mean there isn’t a dress code. The most basic thing you should remember is dressing properly. As for the restaurant choices, I think it depends on individuals.
Lastly, if you’re watching YouTube videos in the office during work hours, then you’re definitely at fault. If you’re new, you should try and approach your bosses to see if you can help with anything.”
Source: 988 (Facebook)
“If you want work life balance, then you’re not suit for an office job. You are different from others and this proves that you’re not suitable for an office job.
You should start something on your own and you can work however much you want. Then you can better control your income as well.”
Source: 988 (Facebook)
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