What a somber end to a long year

This December is one of the longest and most difficult that I can recall in living history, and that's not just because I am enjoying my first trimester. Basically, it has sucked. Work flow is either down or top urgent, and the work's getting pretty mean. For instance, today's work includes:

1. advising an employer re ex-employee flouting confidentiality and non-compete obligations after joining a competitor;

2. advising an employee re soon to be ex-employee putting in Singapore taxi claims for S$250 ++ per day (I don't think even a cab driver who drives around the entire day non-stop is even able to make that much money);

3. mass retrenchments;

4. some problematic employment pass applications - oddly enough, although one would not expect it at a time like this, the Ministry of Manpower has decided to slow down the processing of employment pass applications, thereby making it more difficult for companies to hire expatriates.

It's depressing.