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Independent Singapore
6 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
HR professional says she now suffers from ‘depression and mental distress' after CEO falsely accused her of leaking company information
SINGAPORE: An HR professional recently revealed on social media that she has been battling 'depression and mental distress' after her CEO falsely accused her of leaking company information during her notice period. On Saturday (July 19), she detailed her ordeal on the r/askSingapore Reddit forum, explaining that the stress has affected her so deeply that she now 'hears voices at night.' She added that every morning, she wakes up feeling overwhelmed by depression and finds it difficult to get out of bed. 'I don't have the money to see a therapist, and I don't wish to have such a record that will affect my future too,' she wrote. 'Suicidal thoughts have crossed my mind several times due to his evil doing.' She also said she initially wanted to report the company, but her family discouraged her from doing so as they believed it would only create more trouble. 'My family advised me not to, as (the) employer and MOM are friends, and rich people usually do evil with no repercussions. Too much trouble will be involved, and also, I heard that his backing is strong. I don't know why he must do this to me.' The woman also alleged that the harassment didn't end with the false accusation. She claimed the CEO, along with several colleagues, repeatedly insulted her with remarks like 'brainless' and 'useless,' while also dumping additional tasks on her. 'He keeps pushing his high-level responsibilities to me,' she said. 'But I'm not hired for that role, and my pay is actually very low.' She also raised serious concerns about the company's HR practices. According to her, the CEO claimed that under newly introduced HR policy changes, she would no longer be entitled to previously approved medical reimbursements. 'I got a shock. Is this really legal?' she asked. 'Also, is contract considered invalid if HR policy always changes the terms and conditions every month? When I first worked here, I was puzzled why HR policy has to change on a monthly basis an improvement basis. So now he tries to use it to make employees pay him back money. Is this legal?' See also Billionaire's daughter Kim Lim delivers food to frontline workers 'The second someone abuses you, just leave.' In the comments, Singaporean Redditors were furious on her behalf and told her not to let the company destroy her. Many urged her to focus on her own well-being and stop letting the CEO's nonsense get to her. One Redditor, clearly fed up with the injustice, told her: 'Don't punish yourself for someone's wrongdoing. You already resigned; why still bother? If he asks you to do something, just say Yes, I will do. And take your own sweet time, or even not complete it. Tell him you are busy with this and that, so you don't have time for this. Ask him how you should prioritise. If it is urgent, he will settle it himself.' Another pointed out how serious things had become: 'You are being exploited and emotionally abused; I'm not sure if you even want to file a report with TAFEP. But for sanity's sake, quit soon.' Meanwhile, others gave her practical advice and encouragement. One said, 'Pay up the notice period. Move on. Mental health is important. Jiayou. You will pull through.' Another added, 'People need to stop worrying about work, and prioritise more important things. Never allow others to affect you mentally. The second someone abuses you, just leave. Next day onwards, don't turn up to work and block all their numbers.' Workplace harassment According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), workplace harassment occurs when a person's behaviour causes, or is likely to cause, another individual to feel harassed, alarmed, or distressed at work. This can include a range of actions, such as threatening or abusive language, offensive comments or gestures, cyberbullying, stalking, and sexual harassment. Employees who find themselves in such situations are encouraged to contact the TAFEP Workplace Harassment Resource and Recourse Centre for assistance and support. Read also: 'He told me his wife is a relative': Woman says her 60 y/o coworker overshares and makes work awkward Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
CNA
7 hours ago
- CNA
Singapore working to list etomidate as illegal drug; one-third of vapes seized found to contain it
SINGAPORE: Singapore is working to list etomidate, an anaesthetic that has been found in vapes, as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday (Jul 20). "Vaping, especially those that are laced with etomidate, is increasing. It is causing quite serious concern amongst agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Health (MOH)," he told reporters. Recently, authorities randomly tested more than 100 vapes that were seized, and one-third were found to contain etomidate. Pods that contain vape juice mixed with etomidate are also known as K-pods. Mr Ong also noted that there have also been some deaths, including those arising from traffic accidents as well as unnatural ones, where etomidate was implicated. Vapes, or e-vaporisers, are banned in Singapore. They are controlled and enforced under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sales) Act. Etomidate is a controlled substance under the Poisons Act. Under these Acts, users of drug-laced pods may be fined, but that will change when etomidate is listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). "But under the MDA, they will be treated no differently from those who consume hard drugs and narcotics, such as cannabis or cocaine," said Mr Ong. This means they will be subject to supervision, have to undergo mandatory rehabilitation and may also be committed to a drug rehabilitation centre. Repeat offenders will be prosecuted and may be jailed for at least a year. "We will take a few weeks to put this into effect," said the health minister, calling the listing of etomidate an "interim measure". While vapes started off mainly as a device to deliver nicotine, Mr Ong noted that it is now a delivery device for a range of substances, from nicotine to psychoactive substances such as etomidate, to hardcore drugs that are illegal. "When that is the situation, it requires a whole-of-government effort to enforce against this," Mr Ong said. He added that several other agencies, such as the National Parks Board, National Environment Agency and Land Transport Authority, are already enforcing against vaping, in addition to the police and the Health Sciences Authority. "When they catch them, the vapes come to MOH and we test them. If it is just nicotine, we will process and fine them. "If it is something serious, other agencies will have to come in. In the most serious cases involving drugs, the Central Narcotics Bureau will have to come in, so it will have to be a concerted effort," said the minister. Mr Ong warned that it can be "very damaging" to consume etomidate through vapes, as it can cause permanent organ failure and hallucinations. He urged those who are using K-pods to give them up now. When asked about the situation in schools, Mr Ong said: "I do not want to assume it is fine. In an earlier exercise, when we tested the vapes we had seized from schools, we did not detect any etomidate. "But that was a couple of months ago. In the latest, when we randomly tested vapes (seized from the public), one third had etomidate, so I will not assume that etomidate has not made (its) way to schools."
New Paper
10 hours ago
- New Paper
One in three vapes here laced with etomidate: Ong Ye Kung
As an interim measure to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore, the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to list etomidate - a drug used in vapes - under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20. He added that vapes seized by the authorities have shown that one in three vapes contain etomidate, a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations and organ damage. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. This will pave the way for harsher penalties for abusers, including mandatory rehabilitation, and jail time for repeat offenders. Etomidate's use is currently regulated under the Poisons Act, which carries lighter penalties for users. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this in the coming weeks. The Health Sciences Authority will also be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Mr Ong praised the initiative, saying it was a useful campaign to raise awareness. When ST launched the campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spams, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000.
