What began as a routine promotional post for a Chinese New Year sale on 17 January quickly spiraled into a public airing of grievances, as UNIQLO Malaysia’s Instagram was inundated with nearly 3,400 comments from current and former employees. The allegations ranged from unfair treatment and favoritism to claims of gaslighting and poor work-life balance.
Among the complaints, one employee shared a frustrating story about having their annual leave, planned three months in advance, disapproved just a week before their trip. Despite purchasing flight tickets, the employee was blamed for being inconsiderate to their team. They also accused the company’s HR department of siding with management rather than addressing employee concerns.
“The HR was really shady. They never listen to you. They will find a way to blame you,” the employee claimed, describing their experience as “gaslighting.”
Another worker recounted being reprimanded after their motorcycle broke down en route to work, despite notifying their supervisor in advance. Frustrated, they sarcastically wrote, “Next time, before going to work, I’ll ask my motorcycle whether it wants to break down or not so I won’t be late.”
More alarming allegations emerged, including a manager allegedly contacting a clinic to inquire about an employee’s medical visit details. “Why did you delete my comment stating that your manager called the clinic?” the employee questioned, accusing the company of attempting to cover up the incident.
The comments also revealed concerns about personal emergencies being ignored. One worker was penalized for arriving late after their spouse’s car broke down, even though they had communicated the situation in advance. “What’s the point of communicating if I’m penalized anyway?” they asked.
In response, UNIQLO Malaysia issued a statement acknowledging the concerns raised, stating, “UNIQLO is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and respectful workplace for all employees. We take seriously any feedback we receive from employees.”
When pressed for more details, a senior PR representative noted that the company was “aware of this matter” and was working with its client on the issue. However, no specific measures have been outlined to address the complaints so far.
The situation highlights growing tensions between employees and management, raising important questions about workplace practices and transparency.
