HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think it is just unfortunate that there is no safe way to actually whistleblow on all these unfair practices.

You can always use vpn, anonymous email, then send to whoever you think is the highest up in the reporting line.

Problem is, as you suspect, whistleblowers run risk of reprisal. If you manage to remain anonymous, your complaint will be lacking in details to merit spending resources for further investigation. If there’s sufficient details to probe further, likely you may leave some clues to your identity.

Then, it’s a matter of how far those you accuse will go to defend themselves. What you report may be true but it may turn out your biggest work nightmare. It’s sad but true. I expected otherwise.

For avoidance of doubt, not referring to HTX specifically but treatment of whistleblower doesn’t seem too different everywhere. In the end it’s the whistleblower who has to leave. And some will continue smearing them to the very last day or beyond.

Against these considerations, I agree that anyone thinking of exposing “unfair practices” should think very carefully if they are able to afford the consequences of “whistleblowing”.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Do we need to get interview for emplacement?

Your director will probably talk to you. Be it face to face or phone call.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It's crazy how associates can be promoted to XT7 without getting a single B grade. The whole thing is rigged lol you can do so little and get free rewards.

This is the true marketing material for associate programme. Who needs posters at the bus stops or trains?

that's why txs u see so many lead engineers walking around pitching their ideas mah. instead of focusing on solving the real problems and meeting users needs they are plucking problem statements out of the air. associates are promoted to xt7 within 5 years while we peasants don't even get a single promotion in 5 years even with 2 or 3 consecutive Bs. knights of the round table already decided to give their home boys and girls the promotion while we take turn to crawl up.

and how come we got so many lead engineers? who/what exactly are they leading?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

that's why txs u see so many lead engineers walking around pitching their ideas mah. instead of focusing on solving the real problems and meeting users needs they are plucking problem statements out of the air. associates are promoted to xt7 within 5 years while we peasants don't even get a single promotion in 5 years even with 2 or 3 consecutive Bs. knights of the round table already decided to give their home boys and girls the promotion while we take turn to crawl up.

and how come we got so many lead engineers? who/what exactly are they leading?

Associates are fresh grads with longer runways than us. They are the future of HTX. If don't retain them with fast track promotion, later they jump ship how?

Such is life. Complain also no use. If got capability just jump ship lo. No capability then suck thumb collect salary and bonus every year also not a bad thing.

Many Associates are really more outstanding mah.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Associates are fresh grads with longer runways than us. They are the future of HTX. If don't retain them with fast track promotion, later they jump ship how?

Such is life. Complain also no use. If got capability just jump ship lo. No capability then suck thumb collect salary and bonus every year also not a bad thing.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

that's why txs u see so many lead engineers walking around pitching their ideas mah. instead of focusing on solving the real problems and meeting users needs they are plucking problem statements out of the air. associates are promoted to xt7 within 5 years while we peasants don't even get a single promotion in 5 years even with 2 or 3 consecutive Bs. knights of the round table already decided to give their home boys and girls the promotion while we take turn to crawl up.

and how come we got so many lead engineers? who/what exactly are they leading?

Take a look at the staff initiated postings and funny so many of them are senior manager or lead engineer equivalent kind of roles. It's like they are not even promoting internally and want to parachute people in and block their own existing people from going up. Of course, only the management associates get to reach lead engineer within 3/4 years (not even the traditional 5 mind you)

Not all associates are good. The one sitting beside me doesn't even do anything except host events and don't come to office when possible. He got a B, next year he's going to be promoted and doesn't need a B.

There are amazing associates though. Those I admit are well deserved. Some are just here to steal credit smh. Don't come to HTX if you don't get the associate program.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Associates are fresh grads with longer runways than us. They are the future of HTX. If don't retain them with fast track promotion, later they jump ship how?

Such is life. Complain also no use. If got capability just jump ship lo. No capability then suck thumb collect salary and bonus every year also not a bad thing.

Are you the easy promote associate? Please work harder you guys are already getting 700 extra compared to normal entrants. Don't be so lazy.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You can always use vpn, anonymous email, then send to whoever you think is the highest up in the reporting line.

Problem is, as you suspect, whistleblowers run risk of reprisal. If you manage to remain anonymous, your complaint will be lacking in details to merit spending resources for further investigation. If there’s sufficient details to probe further, likely you may leave some clues to your identity.

Then, it’s a matter of how far those you accuse will go to defend themselves. What you report may be true but it may turn out your biggest work nightmare. It’s sad but true. I expected otherwise.

For avoidance of doubt, not referring to HTX specifically but treatment of whistleblower doesn’t seem too different everywhere. In the end it’s the whistleblower who has to leave. And some will continue smearing them to the very last day or beyond.

Against these considerations, I agree that anyone thinking of exposing “unfair practices” should think very carefully if they are able to afford the consequences of “whistleblowing”.

Unfortunately the retaliation is real. An ex-colleague was "forced" to leave aka managed out. Till today the toxic colleague still talks bad about her to the director. Quotes her name and threatens us to not be like her. Said toxic colleague still talks bad about us whenever given the chance. It seems that such actions pay off though as this toxic colleague was recently promoted.

We really shouldn't have such behaviour. It is saddening and unfortunate.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Unfortunately the retaliation is real. An ex-colleague was "forced" to leave aka managed out. Till today the toxic colleague still talks bad about her to the director. Quotes her name and threatens us to not be like her. Said toxic colleague still talks bad about us whenever given the chance. It seems that such actions pay off though as this toxic colleague was recently promoted.

We really shouldn't have such behaviour. It is saddening and unfortunate.

Sounds scary.

Does toxic colleague have managerial responsibilities? Or you’re saying “whistleblower” was trying to “expose” toxic colleague practices? What role did toxic colleague and director play in the managing out, and what technique did they use? Is it accuse of “underperforming” through use of “targets” that are impossible to meet if it’s already decided that your presence in the organisation is no longer wanted?

Talk bad within same organisation still can understand. There are those ultra manipulative who not satisfied even after leaving no way for whistleblower but to leave. Eg. Sabotage reference either directly (using HR) and/or indirectly (smearing through spreading gossip to as wide audience as possible - sometimes not even getting their own hands dirty but using their subordinates or higher ups to do it - so that when people ask through informal networks all the hearsay will be repeated whether balanced or not).

This creates a seemingly never ending conflict because as long as you don’t allow people to move on and continue to make them feel like they were unjustly and unfairly treated, you cannot be surprised if they too have their own ways of responding.

Sad but true. I feel disappointed such people are still holding positions of responsibility or are promoted. I thought such practices only exist in private sector. Caveat: I am not from HTX.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Sounds scary.

Does toxic colleague have managerial responsibilities? Or you’re saying “whistleblower” was trying to “expose” toxic colleague practices? What role did toxic colleague and director play in the managing out, and what technique did they use? Is it accuse of “underperforming” through use of “targets” that are impossible to meet if it’s already decided that your presence in the organisation is no longer wanted?

Talk bad within same organisation still can understand. There are those ultra manipulative who not satisfied even after leaving no way for whistleblower but to leave. Eg. Sabotage reference either directly (using HR) and/or indirectly (smearing through spreading gossip to as wide audience as possible - sometimes not even getting their own hands dirty but using their subordinates or higher ups to do it - so that when people ask through informal networks all the hearsay will be repeated whether balanced or not).

This creates a seemingly never ending conflict because as long as you don’t allow people to move on and continue to make them feel like they were unjustly and unfairly treated, you cannot be surprised if they too have their own ways of responding.

Sad but true. I feel disappointed such people are still holding positions of responsibility or are promoted. I thought such practices only exist in private sector. Caveat: I am not from HTX.

She was already due for promotion but after the consistent backstabbing, she could only get C despite evidently doing 2 to 3 times the amount of work and contributions. Yes there is plentiful amount of smearing in both directions. Even across departments because she had attempted to transfer to escape the toxicity but it was already smeared long ago.