Dear Sir / Madam,
I would like to bring up this matter to your attention.
I was just employed by this company last month on the 10th of Nov 2014 as a Receptionist cum Admin Assistant under the accounts dept.
As usual I will have to go through the procedure of 3-month probation period.
I tried to learn as fast as I could on whatever that was taught as it was a new experience for me under quickbook.
So they concentrate more on teaching me on the invoices and quickbook and the company system called APS.
I tried to learn as fast as I possibly could. Everything was fine till they did a 1-week assessment on me.
They mentioned that everything was ok except for some of the jobs that I did not do – which was not taught nor was I given any instructions to do so.
Example, to wipe the photocopier machine every morning – which I was not given any screen wipes / solution to wipe it. It was kept by another colleague.
So during that assessment they asked if I have anything else to say and I told them it is good news to me but I am not sure if it is good news to the company that I am pregnant.
They did not say anything and the HR exec noticed the concern on my face and I told her yes I am because I need the job to cope with this pregnancy. So she said they will look upon my performance.
So I agreed because thinking its under 3-month probation period and I can learn more things and contribute to the company.
I did not take any sick leave for myself, I was never late for work, I do not have any conflicts with colleagues, the colleague who taught me quick book even said that I did no mistakes on the keying in on the system and invoices and I would even answer the phone calls within 1 phone ring.
Even when I have done an outstanding job, I would come up to her and even asked her if there’s anything else for me to do as I need to keep myself occupied with something and learn new things and she would say “nope not now”.
Apparently since the last week of November, I noticed the coldness from the colleagues.
For example they did not let me do the job that I am supposed to do like the stationery updates. They would take from my desk and do it themselves instead of teaching me.
On Sat 29th Dec, I sensed something not right as I can’t logged into my PC as it has been disabled.
And I checked with my accts mgr and the HR Exec told me to check with boss in case boss “accidentally” they deleted my acct while deleting the previous staffs’ account.
So I went up to him and he ignorantly said “Oh did I? Sorry, you can try to log in again within 5 minutes” so ok, I pushed the negative thoughts and tried and yes I can log in after that.
On Mon 1st Dec, I report to work as usual. As usual no one said anything.
I submitted my leave for my pregnancy checkup on the 16th Dec to my accounts manager and she took it without saying anything.
But around 4pm+ the HR exec called me in to the meeting room. I suspected something already.
She said: “I’m sorry but the company decided to terminate you”.
I was kind of shocked and asked for the reason and she said because its because my performance.
I asked her why am I judged on my performance within 3 weeks and she said if 1 month we don’t see any good performance they will terminate.
But it’s not even a month and I was already judged and I asked if this has got to do with my pregnancy and they come up with an excuse of my performance so I won’t be able to report to MOM and she kept quiet for a while and said: “No its not. This is what the boss told me and I am telling you.”
I was angry and upset because there was a girl who joined the same day as me and her sales manager gave her 6 months to learn and I was given weeks? Now I am jobless all because of the unfairness of the company.
I have called the MOM for help and have been advised that for my case I may not be entitled for maternity (something which I can give and take about as what I really need is a job to support myself for the next few months). but I still fall under the Employment Act.
I am really looking forward to seeing something being done here to employers who can terminate expectant mothers at will. Even most part-time jobs do not accept any pregnant mothers.
Please do look into this case. Attached are a copy of my employment letter, my last payslip and my termination letter.
I am looking forward to your kind reply.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Roslinda Binte Idris.
Source: www.transitioning.org
