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When the company values on the wall have nothing to do with how people are actually treated

by Syakirah Zulkifli·May 26, 2026

My last company had five core values printed in every meeting room. "Integrity." "People First." "Excellence."

In the same company: people were let go via WhatsApp message, a manager who was known to belittle staff was promoted because he hit numbers, and a whistleblower was quietly marginalised.

Values that aren't enforced downward are just decoration. The test of a company's culture isn't what they say in the all-hands, it's what they do when the behaviour of a high-performer conflicts with their stated values.

If they protect the high-performer, you have your answer.

#company-values#toxic-culture#integrity#management
3 comments

Comments (3)

Isaac Tan

EPF Akaun Fleksibel was a big deal for people who needed emergency cash access. Wish more companies highlighted this to new joiners.

Suraiya Abdul

EIS actually paid out when I was retrenched. People sleep on SOCSO benefits — register and keep your contributions current.

Daniel Phang

The trick with EPF voluntary contributions is to top up before the year ends. Gives you the tax relief and bumps your retirement nest egg.

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