Singapore worker says company asked him to resign, not terminate him: ‘It’s just eating me up inside’

A Singaporean worker recently expressed his emotional struggle after his company requested he resign rather than formally terminate his employment. On the r/singaporejobs subreddit, the individual shared his confusion and doubt about whether corporate life was suitable for him following the news last week. Upon learning of the decision, his HR representative and boss explained that it was not a termination, but rather an encouragement for him to resign and better protect himself.

They explicitly stated he must resign by November, the maximum amount of time they could provide. Initially, the worker's job scope had been intended to be taken over by a senior executive, but when it was revealed that the senior executive would be resigning, management switched the role to an assistant manager. The new assistant manager would assume both the senior executive's duties and the worker's existing responsibilities.

Since discovering the company's plans, the worker has been consumed with negative thoughts, particularly questioning his ability to meet the standards expected of an assistant manager. Despite the emotional toll, many commenters empathized with the worker, emphasizing that being asked to resign doesn't necessarily reflect on his professional abilities.

Some advised him to view the situation as a business decision and start job searching immediately, as the current job market is unfavorable. Others pointed out that resigning might be beneficial for his CV compared to failing his probation or being fired. However, a few users urged the worker to seek clarity on the company's reasons for his departure and to consider the importance of proper feedback and a chance to improve before making his decision.