Professional Faces Stress and Burnout from Unsupportive Boss at High-Paying Job

A Singaporean professional, earning S$200,000 annually, is caught in a dilemma: whether to leave his job voluntarily or wait to be dismissed, as he faces a toxic work environment created by his superior.

In a post shared on the r/askSingapore subreddit on January 6, the employee, who has been with a multinational company (MNC) for five years, expressed his frustration over the deteriorating work conditions. He manages operations across the APAC region and has maintained good relationships with his peers. However, his interactions with his superior have been less than positive.

The employee explained how his boss’s unreasonable demands have disrupted his work-life balance. “I get calls and emails at midnight or 5 am, even when the issues aren’t urgent,” he revealed. Additionally, the worker complained about personal attacks from his superior, which have negatively impacted his confidence and morale. His stress level rose when he was assigned a project that seemed doomed to fail, given its circumstances.

Conflicted about his future, the worker turned to Reddit for advice, asking: “Should I quit now, or should I wait to be fired? The job market is tough, and if I were to move, I’d probably face a 30-40% pay cut.”

While some Reddit users encouraged him to quit, one advised: “If you can afford it, resign after you get your bonus. Keep a record of your boss’s behaviour as evidence. Your health is more important than money—remember, you can’t take wealth with you when you’re gone.”

Others suggested exploring alternative options before making a decision, such as seeking an internal transfer to escape his toxic superior while keeping his salary and colleagues. One user offered this advice: “If you think the project is set to fail, document everything and escalate the situation. Look into other roles within the company to maintain job stability.”

There were also warnings against leaving hastily. “You could regret quitting, only to end up in another toxic job for less pay,” one user commented. “If reassignment is an option, consider requesting that first.”

5 Signs It Might Be Time to Quit Your Toxic Job:

Chronic Exhaustion: Feeling consistently drained by your job without motivation suggests an unhealthy work environment.
Lack of Breaks: Not getting sufficient rest or time off is a major red flag.
Excessive Negative Feedback: If feedback is always harsh and unconstructive, it’s a sign the environment is unhealthy.
Poor Focus on Well-Being: If your physical or mental health suffers and your employer doesn’t care, it may be time to reconsider your role.
Being the Scapegoat: Constantly being blamed for problems you can’t control points to a toxic culture where responsibility is unfairly placed on you.