Workers in these industries cite long hours, burnout, and poor treatment as key factors leading to job dissatisfaction.

In a recent Reddit thread on January 24, 2024, a Singaporean shared their view that the healthcare, food and beverage (F&B), and hospitality industries were among the worst to work in, citing issues like overwork, burnout, and a lack of respect. The post sparked a wave of comments, with many others agreeing that these sectors are challenging due to various reasons, primarily the demanding nature of the work and poor treatment from customers.

Several users specifically pointed to the F&B industry, where long hours, low wages, and limited career prospects contribute to a frustrating work environment. One user elaborated: “In F&B, you get no respect. When customers are happy, they won’t acknowledge your efforts, but when they’re dissatisfied, they make sure everyone knows, even online. This leads to health problems for workers, from leg issues to high blood pressure.”

Healthcare workers also voiced their concerns, particularly those in nursing. One user, a graduating nursing student, shared their disillusionment with the field. “The unreasonable demands from patients and families, on top of the heavy workload and staffing shortages, are overwhelming,” they wrote. “I’m either leaving Singapore to pursue nursing elsewhere or quitting the profession altogether.”

Others expanded the conversation to other industries, with some mentioning life sciences and construction, noting issues like job insecurity and constant competition. As one commenter from the life sciences industry pointed out, “There’s no job security because everything is dependent on funding, and the entire sector is a constant rat race.”

These sentiments reflect broader concerns about the pressures faced by workers in essential and service-oriented industries, as they continue to grapple with heavy workloads and societal expectations while feeling underappreciated.