Singapore Expats

I am considering moving to Singapore and will likely get a Senior Manager or Director level position in the semiconductor industry. I currently live in USA (silicon valley) and have fairly good work life balance. How is the work environment and the professional life in Singapore as compared to USA? Do people generally work long hours in management positions? I have heard some people say that jobs in Asian countries are generally more demanding and one has to put in long hours in higher level positions. Any insight will be helpful.

Generally speaking, what you have heard is correct. The Asian boss's mentality is such that it's one reason the flexi-work has never been able to quite get off the ground here. Quality of work/life balance here is heavily weighted to WORK/life.

I keep hearing it's changing, but my new SG boss arrives around 7:45am and leaves after 8pm every night. She expects staff to produce--not to be hanging around the office doing nothing. It's the first time I've had a boss in SG say "Go Home" at 5pm on a Friday. It's a testament to her work ethic that she "get's it" having said this--she's my thrid boss in 4.5 years and I'm gonna try to keep her.

I do think senior management is expected to be around longer, staff need to see you. Plus, with the Foreign Talent backlash now, don't give staff one more reason to hate you by going home early.

boffenl wrote:she's my thrid boss in 4.5 years and I'm gonna try to keep her.

My husband's 4th boss just handed in her resignation. We've been here 16 months, and four of those months he didn't have a boss at all...

I certainly don't think this is the norm, but it's definitely a symptom of a larger culture clash issue, perhaps more exaggerated due to the emotional type of folks in his industry. To the OP: I'd say be prepared for a challenge at the very least, which may/may not come with its rewards.

Are you going to be working for an MNC here? or a local company? Are you coming here as a local hire without any expat benefits?

Is workers in Singapore more efficient? Or the same 80/20 rule apple? 80% of the work is completed by 20% of the people.

For work in general, I think senior level always have longer hours. At least all my senior managers are like there. Always the first one to show and last to leave.

I even know people who camp at work when I used to work for a big bank.

As a manager, I try to walk out as soon as I can after 6 (by 6:30 or 7). If my staff are always there and working, I want to know why as I don't overload them. Therefore, to me they bear watching for replacing as they either are screwing around all day on FB or just inefficient if they cannot get their work done on time. I also let my staff know that early on so. They know they can be on FB or elsewhere as long as they get their work done on time.

As for the rest of Singapore? Well, appearance seems to be big here. (I don't mean how you look, but how long you are at the desk).

SMS,

I would totally trade a part of my salary for a boss like you. Are you hiring?