欣磐石設計有限公司

None

The interviewer was very domineering and even criticized my clothing. I really couldn't understand why they seemed to think that the outfit I was wearing, which I estimate cost over NT$150,000 in total, was somehow not good enough for this company. Basically, if a project from your previous company was worth less than NT$20 million, you might as well not apply. The interviewer said they only take on projects worth NT$20–30 million, and looked down on projects worth a few million. It felt really awful!

1. It is very difficult to reach NT$50,000–60,000. In reality, the base salary is not high, and bonuses are paid only once at the end of the year. There are no clearly defined standards; everything is decided at the boss’s discretion. The company has also intentionally dismissed employees a few days before the Lunar New Year, so employees may not necessarily receive the bonus. During interviews, they do not mention that company benefits are only available after completing one year, and some benefits mentioned during interviews are unclear even to senior employees—no one has used them. The agreed salary includes a perfect-attendance bonus and deductions for a welfare fund (which is not disclosed during the interview).

2. Except for the three major holidays (excluding Women and Children’s Day) and New Year’s Day, employees are mandatorily required to work on all national holidays. Whether typhoon days off are granted depends on the company’s announcement. (This is not disclosed during interviews, while the job website states that the position is subject to the Labor Standards Act.)

3. Employees in the design department usually work overtime until between 9 and 11 p.m. each day, and must take turns being on duty at night. If assigned to a special holiday, they can only leave after 8:30 p.m., even if they already have plans. (This is not disclosed during interviews.)

4. During “overtime at night,” taking a short break and chatting with colleagues is monitored by supervisors and the boss through surveillance cameras and then discussed in meetings. Employees who walk around with their phones during overtime may even be suspected of playing games. (After-hours work is treated as a responsibility-based system with no overtime pay, but arriving late during regular working hours results in a salary deduction.) Regarding employees’ private plans after leaving the company around 10 p.m., a supervisor stated that being able to do those things after 10 p.m. meant the workload was not heavy enough.

5. When it comes to promises regarding bonuses or other financial matters, the boss has a supervisor deny them. If something is not in writing, it does not count.

6. The company habitually dismisses employees without warning on the same day, including employees who have worked there for many years. It may even intentionally choose the days immediately before the Lunar New Year to save on year-end bonuses and other bonuses, and requires dismissed employees to sign a voluntary resignation letter containing many clauses that strip employees of their rights. Relying on the company’s legal counsel, management takes a forceful stance.

7. The turnover rate is high. In the past three years, not a single new employee has stayed for more than one year, and all senior design department employees are preparing to leave.

8. It is a family-run business with internal infighting and intrigue. Relations between departments are poor, and supervisors are emotional. People seeking a simple work environment and uncomplicated interpersonal relationships are not advised to apply. If you decide to work for this company, you must take measures to protect yourself.

The company habitually lays off employees on the same day, regardless of whether they are junior or senior. Job websites claim that designers earn a monthly salary of NT$50,000–60,000, but during interviews they will tell you that this is an average of NT$50,000–60,000 after including the project-completion bonus. In reality, the project-completion bonus is paid together with the year-end bonus, with no clear calculation formula; everything is determined at the boss’s discretion. Designers usually do not actually receive such a high salary after joining, and employees may be laid off without warning on the same day before the Lunar New Year, making it impossible to receive the bonuses and year-end bonus. The company uses a clock-in system for starting work but a responsibility-based system for ending work. National holidays are not necessarily days off, and employees may also be required to come to the office to work overtime on holidays. This company commonly uses verbal tactics to suppress its employees. Nearly half of the employees there are relatives of the boss, so anyone considering interviewing with this company should be extra cautious.