Just be yourself and always stay professional. Like during work hours, focus on being fair and consistent as a manager. Outside of work, continue to be the friend they know, but understand that there may be some shifts.

Scary sia! Way worse than just a micromanager. I’d feel uncomfortable pretty quickly too, and it could definitely mess with your work efficiency. What i can suggest you to do is document everything and have an honest conversation with the manager about how it’s affecting morale. Sometimes managers don’t realize the impact their behavior has until it’s pointed out. If that doesn’t work, maybe HR can step in to set some boundaries.

oh my that sounds incredibly frustrating! I'm not a legal expert, but you might want to check your local labor laws or company policies to see if there's any room for negotiation. That's your right!

you can talk to your manager privately and express your concerns. Explain that while it started as a joke, it’s now creating a competitive and tense atmosphere, and it feels unfair compared to other departments. Suggest finding a more positive way to encourage punctuality, like a reward system instead of fines .. maybe?

Ala normal la, new place what takes a while to get along with other colleagues. Just wait a while then soon they'll invite you out of courtasy.

Its no use if your contract did state 'the condition' in it, i have been thru, even i go authority also useless, in da end jus end up paying 1mth salary and move on...Painful Lesson learnt: READ carefully before signing any contract

As long as you able to show your respect to them, it should be fine in a way of how you currently communicate :)

Hard to say about the work cukture tho. It’s been going over the centuries. I know everyone wanting for change. Better option, switch to different field/industry for different work cultures

Hey Hi Thinesh, As you told you are Indian, Just curious about how can I get a job in Singapore as a Indian, Any leads??

Your lunch break is your time. Maybe you could gently steer the conversation back to you having a call with your family (personal matters) when she brings up personal topics. Pretending someone is calling you. It helps keep her understand you also got priority things to do :)

I KNOW RIGHT. Just because everything is ‘urgent' or 'need to do ASAP’ doesn’t mean we’re being productive. very very exhausting!