M’sian Boss ‘Gifts’ Staff MacBooks During Annual Dinner, Turns Out They’re Just Empty Boxes for Photo-Op

After working for 3 years at a company, a local employee is now spilling the beans about how their employer has been creating fake moments for the camera in an attempt to make their company, which allegedly has a high turnover rate, appear appealing to the public.

Taking to the XUAN Facebook page, the employee anonymously shared details about several incidents, including how the employer had allegedly lied about giving away MacBooks during their annual dinner.

The boss of a Malaysian company ‘gifts’ staff MacBooks during annual dinner, turns out they’re just empty boxes

This image is for illustration purposes only.

They wrote, “Joining this company marked my first time attending a so-called annual dinner. I hadn’t been there long before that, so this was my chance to experience the ‘company culture’. The raffle that day offered prizes including MacBooks, vacuum cleaners and red envelopes. It looked quite generous.”

“Afterwards, each department head also received MacBooks, supposedly as a reward for leading their team towards breakthrough performances. At that time, I honestly thought, ‘wow, this young and promising boss is so generous, no wonder they are able to start their own business and become a boss‘.”

However, months later, a colleague revealed that the MacBook boxes were empty, and when one of the department heads approached their boss about it, they were scolded and told, “Don’t you get enough?“.

“At that moment, I was stunned. (The MacBook boxes) were probably just props for a photo opportunity.”

More alleged fake moments 

While the employee went on to share various instances about the company’s apparent lack of employee retention initiatives and the hardships other staff members have to endure, they also highlighted other examples of moments their employer allegedly faked to make their company look good to outsiders.

Among these examples is that the employer claimed their company valued work-life balance but ended up expecting employees to be on call at any time of day and even held 3-day, 2-night meetings every 3 months, causing an extension of work hours without pay raises or compensatory time off.

Other examples included their company trip, karaoke sessions and more photo opportunities.

This image is for illustration purposes only.

“The company’s only trip was supposed to be a performance reward, but it felt more like an activity to manage the employer’s emotions. There was a karaoke session, and while everyone had requested songs, only the management took turns singing while leaving everyone in the background,”

“There was another particular instance, taking photos. Meals, meetings and events, nearly every moment had to be documented. These photos were often used in recruitment advertisements, projecting the image of a warm and caring team. Often, we were simply ‘mandated’ to attend and cooperate in photo shoots, and have been asked to demonstrate enthusiasm and participation in these specific situations,” they added.

During an event at the employer’s home, the company’s management allegedly also emphasised that the invited group of employees were “the first group to ever enter the boss’s house!“.

The employee ultimately believes that employees are the “fabric of the company’s culture”, though they have become numb to their employer’s attempts to fake good moments.

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

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