I know because I have worked briefly for 3 months as civil servant before. It was nightmarish and unproductive in those days. Everyday, I was stressed not because of work. I have boss who was transferred from army and know nuts about his responsibility and I became his assistance. I brought him knowledge from private sector but was dismissed because he find it too taxing for him. Every now and than, he would grab me to join him for tea, snack and whatever break that he deemed necessary to cure his boredom. During meeting, the wayang began because all those “high flyers” were presence and none of them talk sense and would dwell on simple topics for hours with no result and have it postponed at later date. Not forgetting some snacks plus beverages available to pamper for their time too. The ambience of seriousness and commitment wasn’t presence as in those found in private sectors.
The office has high partition and each one either look like a toy shop or small nursery. When I need help from colleague, they were shocked to see me because they were either quietly listening to earphone or reading bibles or other books in their own cozy workplace. I became a nightmare to them whenever I sought their co-operation. I was scolded for intruding into their privacy and eventually it hinder my works since they have build their own palace in workstation where they planned to stay there permanently it seems. I need to seek permission to enter before asking work-related question or either receives cold stares from these employees.
The greater stress came when the office hour was supposed to end at 5.30pm but by 5.00pm, you hear clanking sound and keys accidentally dropping on the floor because everyone started to pack and locked their cabinet. By 5.15pm the light suddenly switched off and sounds of high heels or boots running in the long corridor to stop the lift and I have struggled, in the dark, to dig out my bag and rush out with them under stress or become the odd one out. When you thought you were early among many office workers in the building, the gate in front of the office was already jammed with cars all queuing to get out and colleagues all waiting in line waiting for their husbands to fetch them or bus feeders.
I was thinking a lot about how much our taxpayers monies were spend in building expensive govt building that housed so many “productive” workers who received more bonuses than anyone else in the private world. I quitted my unforgettable days in the stat boards thru many clearances even if I have put on a fake smile just to get out.
Thereafter I could breathe better and truly contribute myself to the economy thru these private sectors. Though I do not have the privilege of taking 5 months away to learn expensive cooking lesson, I have already live life to the fullest by being a useful person in private sector and earned thru my own handwork and got recognized for genuine effort, not to mention the vast knowledge and exposures received which cannot be found in civil service or in school.
I speak from my own experience without any cosmetic here because such experience working in CS is simply unforgettable and an insult to my employment history. I hope next time when LKY has the chance to air, he better speak better of people like us and scrutinise his own unproductive workers who were paid with my tax monies.
The office has high partition and each one either look like a toy shop or small nursery. When I need help from colleague, they were shocked to see me because they were either quietly listening to earphone or reading bibles or other books in their own cozy workplace. I became a nightmare to them whenever I sought their co-operation. I was scolded for intruding into their privacy and eventually it hinder my works since they have build their own palace in workstation where they planned to stay there permanently it seems. I need to seek permission to enter before asking work-related question or either receives cold stares from these employees.
The greater stress came when the office hour was supposed to end at 5.30pm but by 5.00pm, you hear clanking sound and keys accidentally dropping on the floor because everyone started to pack and locked their cabinet. By 5.15pm the light suddenly switched off and sounds of high heels or boots running in the long corridor to stop the lift and I have struggled, in the dark, to dig out my bag and rush out with them under stress or become the odd one out. When you thought you were early among many office workers in the building, the gate in front of the office was already jammed with cars all queuing to get out and colleagues all waiting in line waiting for their husbands to fetch them or bus feeders.
I was thinking a lot about how much our taxpayers monies were spend in building expensive govt building that housed so many “productive” workers who received more bonuses than anyone else in the private world. I quitted my unforgettable days in the stat boards thru many clearances even if I have put on a fake smile just to get out.
Thereafter I could breathe better and truly contribute myself to the economy thru these private sectors. Though I do not have the privilege of taking 5 months away to learn expensive cooking lesson, I have already live life to the fullest by being a useful person in private sector and earned thru my own handwork and got recognized for genuine effort, not to mention the vast knowledge and exposures received which cannot be found in civil service or in school.
I speak from my own experience without any cosmetic here because such experience working in CS is simply unforgettable and an insult to my employment history. I hope next time when LKY has the chance to air, he better speak better of people like us and scrutinise his own unproductive workers who were paid with my tax monies.
Last edited:
