Work Bestie

Raised on ‘karung guni’ money, they take pride in carrying their dad’s business forward

kjfurniture - Ms Beaunice, Ms Brillyn and Ms Blessance Toh (left to right) of Hock Siong & Co. Photographed on March 20, 2026.

Credit: Samuel Ruby
Photos by: Samuel Ruby, Aileen Teo
ST COPYRIGHT
SPH Editorial Use

askST Jobs: Why are new hires sometimes paid more than existing employees?

Salary compression occurs when the pay gap between new hires and long-serving employees in the same team or role becomes unusually small.

Finding Joy

I get by with a little help from my (work) friends

Friends add another dimension, infusing meaning into the work experience, says the writer.

40,000 tech workers to be trained in AI to automate coding, build agentic systems by 2029

CMG20260508-YeapCT03/叶振忠/卢慧菁/Honouring the leaders and teams driving innovation at the Tech Leader Awards 2026 [Hotel Shangri-La Singapore Island Ballroom, Lobby Level 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350]
Caption:
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How speaking at the Tech Leader Awards 2026 held at Shangri-La Hotel on 8 May 2026.

Commentary

The fresh grad job is now a third-year job

Singapore’s graduate employment outcomes are strong by many international standards but the latest figures show worrying signs, says the writer.

askST Jobs: I’ve been with the same company for a ‘long’ time. Can I still switch jobs?

Employees who have spent a long time in one organisation may develop strong attachments to colleagues, culture and benefits, which can make the idea of leaving more complex, but not necessarily a disadvantage.

From pharmacy to finance: How firms are tapping neurodiverse talent

Mr Chua Teng Sheng (left) and Mr Cedrick Chia exemplify how individuals on the autism spectrum can contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

JPMorganChase tops Singapore’s best employer rankings; Asia Pacific Breweries retains No. 2 spot

JPMorganChase took the top spot in the Singapore's Best Employer 2026 survey.

askST Jobs: Will a sabbatical hurt my career progression?

In most organisations, sabbaticals are supported in principle. But in practice, the work environment may have moved on by the time an employee returns from a long break.

Young Chinese use AI to launch one-person firms over job anxiety

Karen Dai founded her one-person company SoloNest, using AI to do most of the work.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.