Work It

Should I join the mass exodus and leave for another company?

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s an opportunity on the table to leave with a group of colleagues to join another company. What are some risks to this mass exodus that yo...

Making the career pivot from flying to coding

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Five years into being a flight attendant, Jane Tan switched career tracks to become a software engineer. She found herself struggling in the beginning...

What’s a reasonable flexible work arrangement request?

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Since the flexible work arrangements (FWA) guidelines kicked in last December, there have been ongoing conversations on what are reasonable requests. ...

Facing burnout? Here’s how to say 'no'

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’re feeling burnt out from taking on more than one job role at work. How should you approach your boss to ask for less work or should you jus...

How to network without anxiety or appearing insincere

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Professional networking may often feel transactional, but it doesn’t have to be. Through her interviews with career coaches, CNA TODAY journalis...

Signs that my colleague is going to quit

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You suspect that your colleague is about to throw in his resignation letter and this will impact your work. What are the signs so that you can be ment...

Workplace attire: Dress to impress or distract?

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We want our individual style to shine in our dressing but when it comes to the workplace, what we wear may influence how colleagues and superiors perc...

What can I do if my flexible work arrangement request was rejected?

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You have put in a request for flexible work arrangement under the new guidelines, but your company has rejected it. What are your options now? &n...

What AI skills do I need to keep my job?

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 Artificial intelligence is the buzzword in town after China’s DeepSeek upstaged OpenAI recently. Many companies are also upskilling their ...

Cupid in the cubicle: The reality of office romances

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a new couple in the office and team dynamics will likely change. What are some boundaries that should be kept? If professional line...

Should I call out a "useless" colleague?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You just started a new role and see that your work buddy is not helpful and possibly “useless”. Should you call them out or find other hel...

Struggling to find a job? Here's why

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Latest data from LinkedIn shows that it is getting harder for job seekers and hirers to find the perfect match. What’s causing the frustration o...

How to mend relations with a colleague you offended?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I invited everyone at work to my wedding except a particular colleague and he is offended. He went as far as to block me on social media. Will my deci...

Finding work after being retrenched

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s normal to feel emotional and at a loss after being retrenched. But after taking a break to recover, it’s now time to start looking fo...

Can you ask for less work?

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your colleagues are all asking for a promotion but if you are older and want to pursue other interests, should you ask your boss for less work? And wo...

Which jobs may enjoy a pay bump in 2025?

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 2025, salary increments of between 2 to 5 per cent are expected for all workers but some sectors and jobs may get higher increases. Kirsty Pol...

Best of: Twists and turns of applying for jobs in the age of AI

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From auto-rejection emails to doing an interview with the help of artificial intelligence, how do you get better at finding a job in the age of AI? 27...

Best of: Are you at risk of being quietly fired?

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If your boss is not giving you clear development targets or excluding you from key meetings, you may be at risk of being quietly fired. How should you...

Best of: Gen Z internship race - Fear of missing out or path to success?

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a growing trend of university students juggling multiple internships, even taking time off school to get valuable experience and a foot in th...

Best of: Early signs your company is retrenching

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dyson employees were recently “surprised” by a layoff announcement. But are there visible signals that a retrenchment exercise is coming? How can ...

Best of: Why are salaries kept secret?

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wage transparency is all the rage on TikTok, where people talk about how much they earn. But for most of us, discussing salary publicly is still taboo...

Are you a victim of workplace bullying?

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You are the target of gossip at work, and it is starting to feel you’re being bullied. How should you handle the situation?   Have a work-related q...

How to ace your next job interview

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every job interview is an opportunity to put your best professional foot forward - but it’s also a high-stakes game of tricky questions and unspoken...

Getting your new boss to notice you

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s been a change in management, and you now feel sidelined and overlooked. How can you connect with your new bosses?  Have a work-related ques...

Dealing with the pain of workplace conflicts

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Workplace conflict can be a minefield, but when handled right, it sparks growth and resilience within teams. How should you navigate conflicts at the ...

I need to fire my friend, how should I do it?

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You hired your friend but now his unprofessional conduct is disrupting the team. Management has decided to part ways with him, but the friendship is i...

What to do if you are a victim of workplace discrimination

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Workplace discrimination can be one of the thorniest issues to navigate because it isn’t always clear cut. Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan sit down with...

Is ageism common during the job application process?

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For anyone looking for work, ageism may be a growing concern during their job search. How can you effectively highlight your qualifications while ensu...

Start-ups vs large corporations: Which is the better career move?

03 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Working for a start-up may bring different benefits compared with being an employee of a big company. For fresh graduates and those contemplating a mi...

How do I avoid being seen as a threat at work?

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You want to excel in your career but fear setting the bar too high may rile your colleagues. How can you pursue your ambitions while appearing less of...

Do you know your personality type and how it affects your work?

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you an individualist or a peacemaker? Perhaps you thrive in motivating people. Experts say understanding personality traits makes a big difference...

I’m a new leader. How do I earn my team’s respect?

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 You’ve recently stepped into a leadership role, but your new team members are bypassing you and going directly to your boss with their questions. ...

Multiple side hustles or a 9-to-5?

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Balancing multiple jobs might seem overwhelming, but for some, side hustles offer autonomy and freedom a traditional 9-to-5 job cannot. Tiffany Ang an...

How to tell your boss that you’re overwhelmed when you’re new

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You've just started at a new job, but your boss is already making you work overtime and it’s affecting your health. How do you communicate that you’...

Early signs your company is retrenching

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dyson employees were recently “surprised” by a layoff announcement. But are there visible signals that a retrenchment exercise is coming? How can ...

What can you do if your boss plays favourites?

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your team consistently outperforms at work. Yet you are not getting the same bonuses and promotions others are getting. What can you do if you suspect...

When is it safe to tell your boss and co-workers about your mental health struggles?

06 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Diagnosed with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, it took Edwin Chaw months before he felt ready to disclose his condition to his...

Asked to work before starting your new job. Yay or nay?

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’re due to start a new job in weeks and your future boss has already begun sending you emails and calling for meetings. Here’s how you can set ...

Making networking and presentations less painful for introverts

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Networking plays a vital role in the professional world, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations. But for introverts, nothing is more da...

Is being comfortable at work a bad thing?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve been at your company for years and happy with the work-life balance, but some of your colleagues are advancing elsewhere. Is staying put equi...

Why are salaries kept secret?

22 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wage transparency is all the rage on TikTok, where people talk about how much they earn. But for most of us, discussing salary publicly is still taboo...

Extra work but no promotion. Time to say no?

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You are taking on more projects every year, yet the career jump remains out of reach. What’s holding your boss back from promoting you and what can ...

How to know if your boss is a narcissist (and what to do)

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If your manager consistently dominates meetings, dismisses ideas and is convinced they are always right, you might be dealing with a narcissistic lead...

Can I recover from being put on a performance improvement plan?

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No one wants to be put on a performance improvement plan (PIP) because it indicates that you haven’t been meeting your work goals. But if you are on...

Normalise family-friendly practices in the workplace or risk losing talent: Indranee Rajah

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With more shared parental leave and mandatory paternity leave on the horizon, employers need to re-design the way they operate. Otherwise they risk lo...

Why did HR suddenly withdraw a job offer?

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After months of anticipation, you finally hear back from HR only to learn that the indicative job offer has been withdrawn. What might cause such a u-...

Gen Z internship race: Fear of missing out or path to success?

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a growing trend of university students juggling multiple internships, even taking time off school to get valuable experience and a foot in th...

Should I give up my salary to avoid a long notice period?

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some notice periods are as long as three months but if you have a job offer and want to start earlier, should you bite the bullet and fork up that sal...

Psychological safety at work is not about giving nice feedback

25 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you worry about being shut down or humiliated for your ideas or opinions at work, you may have a problem with psychological safety. Jasmine Liew, f...

How do I prove I’m not a job-hopper?

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve gone through several jobs in recent times, some of them contract roles, and they each last less than a year. How do you show the next hiring ...

Can burnout be self-inflicted?

18 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Not sleeping well? Loss of appetite? Feeling anxious thinking about work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be facing burnout. ...

What to do if your boss isn’t helping you get a promotion

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You are gunning for a promotion and you have asked your manager for more opportunities. But the response is lukewarm. What should you do?  Have a wor...

Is taking childcare leave hurting my career?

11 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The government has been providing parental benefits to encourage people to have more children. But what do these increased benefits mean for companies...

This meeting could have been an email

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dozing off at a meeting that’s going in circles and doesn’t seem to have a concrete agenda? Here’s how you can bring focus to these unproductive...

Is the non-compete clause sabotaging your next career move?

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In some employment contracts, there is a non-compete clause that limits an employee moving to a competitor. How does this impact your career? Jonathan...

Does 360 feedback really work?

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the annual feedback time and you must rate your boss and co-workers. Is the 360 feedback worth the effort? How can you ensure it leads to real ...

Are you at risk of being quietly fired?

28 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If your boss is not giving you clear development targets or excluding you from key meetings, you may be at risk of being quietly fired. How should y...

Why does HR ghost me after a job interview?

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you waited for a call after a job interview but never heard back from the company? How long should you wait before sending the HR person a nudge?...

Skills over certificates? How skills-based hiring will change the hunt for talent

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Good grades and a fancy degree may not be enough to get you that dream job or sustain a successful career. Asher Ling, Chief Technology Officer and Ma...

How to disagree with your boss without ruining the relationship?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a high stakes conversation and you don’t see eye to eye with your manager. How do you disagree constructively without burning bridges?  Hav...

The tricky balance of mental health disclosure and performance at work

14 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a diagnosed mental health condition and you’re thinking of disclosing it to your workplace, what should you be aware of? How can your pe...

How do I give feedback to a colleague who is sensitive?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You want to give effective feedback to a colleague or employee. But this person is likely going to be sensitive or defensive about it. How should you ...

Can you plan your career?

07 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Career planning can help people commit to their goals and desires. But what if the best laid plans are derailed by changes in your life? Chris Lau, pr...

Should I help my boss who lacks confidence?

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your boss is asking subordinates to communicate with senior management. If you feel uncomfortable, how should you broach the topic? Have a burning wor...

A CEO’s first 100-day action plan

30 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CEOs may occupy an exclusive rank, but their decisions have a profound impact on many lives. What is the first order of business for new CEOs transiti...

Am I a victim of workplace bullying?

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do I know if my manager is bullying me or just has high standards for my work? Here are some signs to look out for before you lodge a formal compl...

For flexi-work to succeed, leaders need to walk the talk

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Employers will soon be expected to consider staff requests around flexible work arrangements. But what are reasonable requests and can managers avoid ...

Should I reveal my last drawn salary?

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you sat in a job interview and was asked to produce your last drawn payslip? Here are steps you can follow if you are not comfortable to reveal i...

AI is not the bogeyman, use it to solve everyday problems

16 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every department in a company - from legal to finance and HR - can use a basic AI tool to solve problems or work better. Agoda’s chief technology of...

I’ve just been promoted ahead of my peers. Will things get awkward?

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Congratulations on your promotion. But you can’t shake the feeling that it didn’t sit well with your peers at work. How should you manage them?  ...

Should life partners be colleagues?

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being partners in both work and life may not be for every couple. But if you choose to work with your spouse, what boundaries should you have and how ...

Dealing with a micromanaging boss

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Calls and messages to check if you are on schedule and constantly watching over your work. What can you do if you have a boss who micromanages you? He...

Twists and turns of applying for jobs in the age of AI

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From auto-rejection emails to doing an interview with the help of artificial intelligence, how do you get better at finding a job in the age of AI? 27...

Back from long leave and left out for promotion?

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is common to hear people coming back from maternity leave, parental leave or a long sabbatical and being passed on for a promotion. Gerald Tan expl...

How to create a compelling personal brand

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. How do you create one for your...

Help! Work is toxic - who can I talk to?

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling with a tough work situation that is affecting your mental health? If so, should you reach out to a career coach or a therapist for ...

Why do Gen Z layoffs look so dramatic?

19 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some Gen Zs are making public videos of themselves getting fired or resigning, inspiring a phenomenon called Quit-Tok. What's driving them and how ca...

Is a contract role an opportunity or a trap?

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You could be in between jobs or considering your next career move. So taking on a contract role might be an option for you. But how do you negotiate f...

Why do people who quit come back to the same company?

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

According to the latest salary survey guide by Robert Walters, three in four professionals are open to returning to their previous employers. Besides ...

What to do when everyone is waiting for a poor performer to resign

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your co-worker is not pulling their weight and despite interventions, your manager is waiting for a resignation letter instead of firing them. What sh...

Overcoming imposter syndrome

05 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It is that little voice in your head shouting that you are not good enough for the job or that someone will soon figure out you are a fraud. How do yo...

New to the company but feeling unwelcome?

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve just started at your new job and your predecessor didn’t do a proper handover. On top of that, you get the feeling that your new colleagues...

Is flexible work shaping the office of the future?

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With new guidelines for flexible work arrangement requests kicking in by the end of the year, how can living and working spaces change to make hybrid...

Out of office but still at work?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You’re having a relaxing holiday when suddenly your phone goes off. Your boss is asking questions and your colleagues are chasing you for answers. S...

How older workers can add value to their companies

21 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With retirement and re-employment ages set to be raised, the truth is that there will be more mature workers in our workforce. What are some unique ch...

How to set healthy boundaries if your boss is a friend

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What boundaries do you need at work if your boss happens to be your friend?  Do you have a burning work-related question to ask a career counsellor? ...

Nailing your annual performance review

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Setting work goals and reviewing them at the end of the year are important milestones for your career progression. What do bosses look for when conduc...

The ins and outs of the exit interview

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adrian Tan and Crispina Robert call time on their role as hosts of this podcast. In their last episode together, they talk about the highlights of the...

The right to disconnect from work for your mental health

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The executive director of the Singapore Human Resource Institute was Work It's very first guest. Two years on, we check back with Alvin Goh and chat a...

Stressed at work? Learn to say 'no'

10 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Camilla Dahl Hansen, chief experience officer at Saxo, was once told to take a break for three weeks because she was overwhelmed with work-induced str...

Can a woman thrive in a workplace still dominated by male leadership?

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Immersed in a male-dominated industry, Jingjin Liu learnt how to navigate assumptions, judgement and outdated ideas about women as sole caregivers. Th...

Must leaders have 'executive presence'?

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a volatile business world, the concept of leaders having "executive presence" has come into sharper focus. What exactly does it mean, and can it be...

Forget poor performers, what about poor managers?

18 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After our episode on dealing with poor performers, listeners wrote in to ask us to discuss managers who were not doing their jobs well. From micromana...

Why your company needs an AI strategy now

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Not a day goes by without some news about generative artificial intelligence, particularly, its impact on jobs. Nick Eayrs from Databricks, an AI and ...

How do companies decide who to retrench?

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retrenchments in Singapore more than doubled in 2023 compared to a year before, according to the Ministry of Manpower. But what goes into the decision...

How can managers deal with poor performers?

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more challenging aspects of workplace management is dealing with workers who are not performing as well as they should. What steps can mana...

Can a board of directors fire the CEO?

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Boards were in the limelight when OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman was fired by his board last year. Who gets to sit on the board of a company? How are they pi...

How to ask your boss for more money

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Talking about money is tricky but important. What goes into your pay? When is a good time to ask for more and can you refuse to disclose your last dra...

What does it take to run billion-dollar companies?

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CEO and founder of HR technology firm Visier, Ryan Wong, runs a company with "unicorn" status - it has reached US$1 billion in valuation. He was born,...

Best of: How can you give constructive feedback about your boss?

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here's the last of our three top episodes from our archives this year. Companies use assessment tools like the 360 and 180 systems which ask for peers...