'I seriously think our future is f*****': Employer flamed for 'going nuclear' on prospective intern over a question

[noobcarbuyer]

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/i-seriously-think-our-future-f-employer-flamed-going-nuclear-prospective-intern-over?

Talk about generational differences in the workplace. Except in this case, the employee hadn't even gotten the job yet.

Jeffrey Koh, the owner of a design agency, took to Facebook on Thursday (Sept 15) to complain about an interviewee whom he was supposed to meet regarding her internship.

He wrote, "Call me a boomer but I seriously think our future is f*****."

Koh went on to share how he had "taken the time" to interview the student the next day, despite knowing that she had quit her first company after a day.

"Gave her the benefit of the doubt because she actually left her internship company after working for just one day, claiming that the environment was toxic and is now looking for a new internship company."

Koh, however, noted that 19 minutes after agreeing to the interview, she dropped him a message asking if it was "possible to have a virtual meeting instead".

He added: "Without giving any reason, she probably figured a virtual meeting works fine too".

A screengrab of their text conversation showed that five minutes after her request, Koh replied, "Don't think so. It's ok if you don't wanna come down".

He ended up cancelling the interview entirely three minutes later. "On second thought, I think let's cancel the interview. All the best".

Explaining his actions, Koh shared in his Facebook post: "Sarah is the very reason why I absolutely welcome foreigners who are hungry and hardworking to work here. F*** all these rules and laws protecting entitled Singaporeans."

But not everyone agreed with his position. 

[noobcarbuyer]

Original facebook post here :

https://www.facebook.com/jeffreykoh/posts/pfbid02dNdLpbzmxUc4qCsHvs33w3SHcMwqsg9kvDTeuMzNVQyFgvetQyuwtwQNHBCwibXkl

[Jellandross]

Self pwn by a typical low EQ smelly mouth boss from mickey mouse SMEs. Cannot imagine how he treat his employees and customers when things don't go his way. The girl is lucky to find out early rather than later.

[Fitvip]

13 minutes ago, Jellandross said:

Self pwn by a typical low EQ smelly mouth boss from mickey mouse SMEs. Cannot imagine how he treat his employees and customers when things don't go his way. The girl is lucky to find out early rather than later.

Sarah could have sensed something not right that led her to ask for a virtual interview. I should say she is lucky.

[Sosaria]

On the other hand I agree with the employer's view that too much online learning has led to deterioration in both hard and soft skills. HBL does not enable learning of hard skills effectively while lack of social interaction leads to poor soft skills.

The girl seems oblivious that she is the one "asking a favour" since at the last-minute she is seeking another internship which no one is obligated to give her.

I agree that schools nowadays... the teachers are also fed up having to pander to so many requirements while also being questioned by management and parents if they "fail" students. So as I had predicted to my friends previously, the schools will now willy-nilly pass everyone, even those with mental issues, let them graduate and out of the school, it becomes someone else's problem.

And so, now the problem passes on to the employers.... Good luck!

Edited September 18, 2022 by Sosaria

[Sosaria]

24 minutes ago, Fitvip said:

Sarah could have sensed something not right that led her to ask for a virtual interview. I should say she is lucky.

Employer also sensed something not right so 3 minutes later decide not to waste his time further.

But... cynical me is careful to sense that this may yet be one of those "planted" events to highlight why we continue to need "talents". Is this fake news? Gahmen say we should always question what we read.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Sosaria

[Vratenza]

The way the boss handled the issue leaves much to be desired.

But I do not disagree with the general assessment that younger generation that grew up with insta/youtube/facebook/tiktok these days lack the soft skill and EQ for their working adult stage.

What compounds it is the fact that most of them are molly coddled by the parents that made them as friable and vulnerable as strawberries/snowflakes.

They are not hungry for a job simply because their parent's generation made it point to not rely on their offspring for their old age having been burdened by that duty from their own parents. 

[Jman888]

I read the article, I think in this case the employer is jumping into conclusion and not fair for the intern.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Maybe the employer thought if u too lazy to come for interview

 

what makes u think u can come to company for work everyday? 
 

 

[PSP415]

Perhaps abit harsh and too quick to predict future over one interviewee. So he went on to employ Sarah or she is already in his employ? 

There will always be those who pick jobs machiam picking life partner. Cos these are a pampered lot, no money nvm, parents have, can liao. 

😅😂😂😂

 

[Rickster]

For some bosses, they see it as a mark of respect that you turn on the video when you're speaking. For some, they're totally fine to interview an employee over just a phone call. For some, they feel it's a mark of disrespect if you want to carry out an important meeting virtually when u can do it physically.

There is no right or wrong. But what serves us well is to know how to read and understand people - which will usually happen to us as we progress with more experience in society. 

But from the reaction of the boss over such a minor "provocation", he might be struggling with issues.

 

[macrosszero]

Honestly I feel no right or wrong party here. Regardless of media each party will use whatever means necessary to judge the other party; this is purely a social engagement. Although it makes for an interesting debate it is likely to be a lot more mundane than the internet would spin.

On one side is a jaded employer with many strawberry applications and some foreigners he cannot hire (yet)

On the other side is fresh job seeker, blank sheet, with possibly (unreasonable) expectations. But rather social media savvy.

I have to be honest that I side with the employer at least from a moral standpoint.

[Volvobrick]

100% the interviewer's fault. I would never bother to shortlist/call up anyone who quits after 1 day in the previous job, or those with string of experiences like 20 employers in the last 10 years.  Why waste his own time and getting angry? 

Edited September 18, 2022 by Volvobrick

[Fitvip]

It was just an interview for an internship. 

Due to the pandemic, many conferences were conducted online. Even the courts accept virtual appearances. So, it is understandable for Sarah to request for a virtual interview. 

The way the boss responded is to say the least unprofessional. Anyway it is his beng way of handling. 

[Thaiyotakamli]

17 minutes ago, Fitvip said:

It was just an interview for an internship. 

Due to the pandemic, many conferences were conducted online. Even the courts accept virtual appearances. So, it is understandable for Sarah to request for a virtual interview. 

The way the boss responded is to say the least unprofessional. Anyway it is his beng way of handling. 

Maybe the employer thought today ask for virtual interview

 

next time work ask for wfh

[1fast1]

Sarah could've had a valid reason to ask for a virtual interview. COVID is still a thing, despite whatever pretence everyone is being ordered to hold nowadays. The employer could've ascertained the reason instead of going on a vitriol-soaked rant on social media.

This employer is likely highly toxic, another of those petty small-minded "manager" types rife in our SME sector. Or he's just trolling and attention-seeking based on some of the other things he's put in his FB. Or both. But since it's attention he wants, maybe someone with a lot of experience in deflating arrogant employers should be given the opportunity to sink his teeth into it. I've done the needful. 😁

Edited September 18, 2022 by Turboflat4

[Throttle2]

4 hours ago, noobcarbuyer said:

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/i-seriously-think-our-future-f-employer-flamed-going-nuclear-prospective-intern-over?

Talk about generational differences in the workplace. Except in this case, the employee hadn't even gotten the job yet.

Jeffrey Koh, the owner of a design agency, took to Facebook on Thursday (Sept 15) to complain about an interviewee whom he was supposed to meet regarding her internship.

He wrote, "Call me a boomer but I seriously think our future is f*****."

Koh went on to share how he had "taken the time" to interview the student the next day, despite knowing that she had quit her first company after a day.

"Gave her the benefit of the doubt because she actually left her internship company after working for just one day, claiming that the environment was toxic and is now looking for a new internship company."

Koh, however, noted that 19 minutes after agreeing to the interview, she dropped him a message asking if it was "possible to have a virtual meeting instead".

He added: "Without giving any reason, she probably figured a virtual meeting works fine too".

A screengrab of their text conversation showed that five minutes after her request, Koh replied, "Don't think so. It's ok if you don't wanna come down".

He ended up cancelling the interview entirely three minutes later. "On second thought, I think let's cancel the interview. All the best".

Explaining his actions, Koh shared in his Facebook post: "Sarah is the very reason why I absolutely welcome foreigners who are hungry and hardworking to work here. F*** all these rules and laws protecting entitled Singaporeans."

But not everyone agreed with his position. 

I agree with him. 100%

he has every right to put himself out there and say it as he thinks it.   
he was considerate nough not to reveal any real names or directly identifying info.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Throttle2

[Thaiyotakamli]

41 minutes ago, yishunite said:

Debatable whether "Sarah" is a bad apple or not

But even if she is, one bad apple = must hire FT going forward??

SMLJ logic is that

And since when FT can be intern

This is why we need more competition in business. Entitle employers always mollycoddle to expect FT everytime anything go wrong 🤣

Actually intern is another name for slavery