Let’s cut the crap and acknowledge that a Singapore ‘9-to-5’ isn’t exactly 9am to 5pm. In a city where working overtime, working through sickness and health and the statement “I haven’t even used my leave yet” is a badge of honor, there’s no such thing as a simple 9-to-5.
Here is where TikTok user @thatasianmama won the hearts of many with her video where she says that she will never make her staff start work at 9am.
@thatasianmama Oh well… if you are reporting at 830am, change a job. If companies can be more open minded, productivity can increase, happiness index too will increase in within individuals who works in the company. Yes? #sgmummy #womenoftiktok #womenempowerment #momboss #corporatetok #productivity #asianmom #bosstok ♬ Dream Away – Ramol
In the video, she stands by starting the work day proper at 10am because typically, when an employee comes in at 9am, they will first head to the pantry for coffee, tea, or breakfast.
“The truth is everybody’s day haven’t started yet. Hungry, need to eat breakfast before work. It is not productive for the people who are working, it is also not productive for the company,” she explains.
However, she also added that by starting work at 10am, she expects they have gotten the other distractions (ie. breakfast) out of the way.
If you think starting work at 10am everyday sounds like a good idea, she tops it off by saying that she also doesn’t believe in clocking out at 6pm. Why?
Again, she explains that a person who starts work in the morning would have been sitting for at least six hours.
“Their brains are fried, they’re thinking about going home, they’re thinking already about where they’re gonna go after work – they’re not concentrating anymore,” she said.
Then she goes on to say that her ideal working hours for her staff are 10am to 4pm because it allows them to come to work ready and then have enough time after work for other things like picking up their children and generally feeling “happy and have some work-life balance”.
There is some truth in what she says, especially in this post-pandemic economy.
During the lockdown and the era of working from home five days a week, people had the time and space to reflect and prioritize what is important to them and also put their own happiness first.
Many viewers chipped in and agreed with her 10-to-4 lifestyle.
There were also some ready to sign up and work for her.
Then there are always some haters.
To date, Thatasianmama’s video has racked up 1.6 million views.
What do you think? Would you rather a 10am to 4pm, five days a week situation or a four-day work week?
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