“Quitting might be extreme given the current job market, but having come from other careers where exclusion and being targeted by those in charge were the norm, I know not having supportive colleagues in a high-stress, collaborative role would make it much harder to stay. We spend five out of seven days of the week with our colleagues — more than some of us spend with our families — so quitting if you felt excluded or bullied would be entirely reasonable!
Thankfully, I do feel supported, and that makes all the difference. Most lunches are eaten together in the office pantry, where we decompress, chat about life, upcoming trips or concerts, and swap stories about kids, pets, or movies. We celebrate birthdays, share home-baked goods, and do our best to give colleagues proper breaks on leave — while still keeping each other updated on the office tea. We’ve also met up outside of work for activities like karaoke, bike trips, and most recently, pickleball!”
– Victoria Chiew, Production Executive
“For me, feeling valued at work comes from knowing that my contributions are recognised by both colleagues and higher-ups. During my past internships, I was trusted with critical operations and given opportunities to share ideas that were actually implemented — experiences that showed my work made a real impact. Having a support system of peers to collaborate with and bounce ideas off also keeps me motivated and committed to the organisation.”
– Joash Devanandan, Management Associate
“One of the main reasons I’ve stayed in my current role is the strong bond I share with my colleagues — that connection makes day-to-day work so much more meaningful. For a while, I was the only member of my “team” and contemplated leaving, but when the company hired someone new, we clicked instantly. Being on the same wavelength as your teammates, especially when you’re working closely together, makes a huge difference in feeling fulfilled and happy at work.”
– Rachel Boo, Senior Marketing Executive
“Other than sleeping, most of our time is spent at work, so feeling a sense of belonging is key to staying motivated and avoiding burnout. Feeling empowered to make decisions within my role and being able to communicate with colleagues in a fun, respectful way really helps me feel like a part of the team and confident in my work.”
– Perlin Leong, Supply Chain Operations Assistant Manager
“I believe ownership at work — whether over a project or personal progression — is key. Seeing progress and feeling recognised gives a sense of belonging, even if the workplace isn’t perfect. Still, a workplace can only provide so much, so it’s important to know which team members you can rely on and to address any toxic dynamics to keep the environment healthy. Ultimately, it’s the people around you that make the biggest difference.”
– Gary Lim, Bunker Trader
“Feeling like you belong makes all the difference, especially when work takes up such a big part of your day. For me, it goes beyond the 9-5. It’s about trust, open conversations, and having people who genuinely look out for each other. I feel it when colleagues step in to help, regardless of department. I feel it in the little things too, like quick ice cream runs to the café nearby or snapping OOTDs with a digicam at the wall outside. Those moments remind me that the connections we build go beyond just work and make the community more fun!”
– Nurkhalisa Khairi, Account Executive
