{
  "id": 10109652,
  "title": "‘If A can do B’s job at a cheaper pay, why keep B?’ Singapore worker questions workplace culture",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/if-a-can-do-bs-job-at-a-cheaper-pay-why-keep-b-singapore-worker",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-27T01:31:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Independent Singapore",
    "slug": "the-independent-singapore",
    "url": "https://theindependent.sg/if-a-can-do-b-s-job-at-a-cheaper-pay-why-keep-b-singapore-worker-questions-workplace-culture"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One Singaporean worker’s perspective on the workplace changed drastically after witnessing her assistant manager, who had been with the company for ten years and was considered incompetent, being fired while the colleague who performed the actual job duties and earned half his salary was not promoted. The company's apparent disregard for loyalty and hard work led her to adopt a \"quiet quitting\" mindset. In a post on the r/asksg forum, the worker revealed that when the assistant manager was let go, everyone in the office believed the hardworking colleague who had been handling his duties would finally receive the position. However, the colleague only received the standard yearly salary adjustment that everyone gets. The situation was further exacerbated when the manager and boss later fired another employee without any remorse, stating that if one employee could do another's job at a lower wage, the company should keep the cheaper option. This statement deeply affected the worker, as it made her feel that merely being capable would lead to being given more work without additional pay or recognition. She questioned whether this culture is common in Singapore and why management seemed so out of touch. The worker sought advice from Reddit users, who explained that this approach is common and suggested that employees must learn to ask for what they want or leave for better opportunities.",
  "summary": "A colleague who had been doing much of an assistant manager’s work for less pay was given only the usual annual salary adjustment, according to one Singapore worker.",
  "key_points": [
    "Incompetent assistant manager fired, but hardworking colleague not promoted",
    "Company prioritizes cheaper pay over loyalty and performance",
    "Worker adopts 'quiet quitting' mindset, feels undervalued"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}