NUS staff disillusioned about office politics, hypocrisy, unfair promotions and more


I used to feel proud working at one of the more popular schools within the National University of Singapore (NUS). In my early days, I genuinely loved my job. I believed in what I was doing, and I found meaning in helping students grow and succeed. I poured my heart into everything I did there because I truly thought I was making a difference.


But over time, I saw the ugly side of the organization. The politics, the hypocrisy, the unfair promotions, it was disheartening. Undeserving folks somehow got promoted, while those who slogged their asses off and genuinely cared were sidelined. It baffles me to see someone without any leadership qualities being elevated, just because the higher-ups were worried he might resign. The bugger even had the audacity to badger our Unit Head regarding whether he would soon receive a promotion, repeatedly.


These days however, it’s no longer about merit, rather it's who you know and how well you play the game.


And don’t even get me started on the “old timers.” Some of them blatantly abuse their sick leave entitlements, often conveniently falling ill before or after weekends, just so they could be privy to extended breaks again and again. Everyone knows it, everyone sees it, yet nothing happens. They get away with it while the rest of us aare forced to pick up the slack. Just because they spent 20 over years of their lives in NUS.


Then there’s the recent abolishment of the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement, where we were all informed it shall take immediate effect across the board. Surprise, surprise — some schools and business units are actually still permitted to until the end of November. How is that even fair? Why are certain departments allowed to circumvent the rules while others are forced to follow abide by them strictly?


It’s frustrating, not to mention honestly disappointing. I once believed in the values NUS claimed to stand for — integrity, fairness, excellence. But after what I’ve seen, it feels like those words are merely for show. The real culture underneath tells a very different story.


This post first appeared on NUS Whispers (Confession #109540). You may wish to share your thoughts with the anonymous soul who gave his two cents.

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