Category: Sosial

New Mom Returned From Maternity Leave Only To Be Forced To Resign, MOM Powerless

Dear Gilbert,

I have just return from my maternity leave and was told by my boss that I will be handling more decision making work. I enquired about my appraisal report and bonus and she mentioned that it was submitted.

However, on Monday when I went back to work I was informed by my HR manager that company is laying me off. I will be terminated by the Company. This totally came as a shock to me. I asked for the reason of this decision but she was unable to tell me. When I enquired about my bonus due to me she could not give me an answer too.

I have spoken to MOM regarding my case and there’s nothing much that MOM indeed can do. My horrid Company has turned the scenario around now and instead of terminating me, they force me to sign a Resignation letter stating I request to resign immediately and Company has agreed.

This also needs me to pay the Company 1 month’s notice! Company has issued me a bonus (which is actually a payment in lieu to me for terminating me immediately).

Upon reading MOM’s reply to me, I was feeling helpless hence in such situation without aid, I have to just agreed to their terms or risk not getting my notice payment in lieu. I have to stress that no additional compensation was offered to me apart from the notice period payment in lieu.

My manager stressed to me that I either accept the Termination letter or risk not receiving the 1 month’s notice payment in lieu. She also mentioned going to MOM is useless. As what they did is all in line with the MOM’ legislation, which they have seek their lawyer’s advice.

I agree to shaming this Company so that other local job seekers will not fall prey to this Company, terminating people at whim especially when they are near to getting their anniversary bonus. However, I am worried that this might involve me in a possible lawsuit.

Rgds,

Jasmine

Source: www.transitioning.org

January 27, 2017
Driving To Malaysia For Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is almost here and best of all, it falls on a weekend.

If you are driving up to Malaysia during the festive season, it is time to consider stocking up on comfort food and drinks. Chances are, you will be stuck in a heavy traffic jam that could last more than four hours along the causeway. However, thanks to the biometric fingerprint-scanning system installed at all causeway checkpoints, traffic may just flow smoothly.

One reason for optimism is that the new fingerprint-scanning system will reduce manual labour greatly as there is no longer a need for immigration officers to go through each individual’s passport in great detail and conduct headcount checks.

Fast and easy clearance at immigration checkpoints is something Singaporeans look out for, especially during the festive holidays. With the new fingerprint-scanning system in place, “drivers can expect to clear customs within three to 10 minutes especially at the Tuas Two causeway,” says Transtar Travel staff Mollie Chittick.

Older people, however, “will need to press harder so they can have their thumbprints registered.” says Chittick.

“In the worst case, the customs officer will ask them to proceed to the manual counters to have their passports stamped.”

In June 2011, Malaysia spent close to USD $42 million on implementing the biometric fingerprint-scanning systems at its causeway checkpoints.

Secondly, an increasing number of people — Singaporeans and Malaysians — are making a conscious effort to plan their travels ahead of Chinese New Year. Many know that traffic conditions along the causeway has been bad for the last decade, so it makes sense to take leave from work or school two to three days prior to the festive season just to travel up to Malaysia.

Beat Chinese New Year traffic

The best time to travel to Malaysia is, of course, during the afternoon before Chinese New Year eve between 4 and 5:30 p.m.

However, Malaysian hairdresser Ireene See says that the best time to travel is the evening before the eve of the festive season. That is provided you are comfortable driving in the dark as the North-South highway has no lights at night.

In her eight years of working in Singapore, See says she has been arranging for her own transport back to her hometown in Batu Pahat for Chinese New Year. “I always book a Malaysian taxi with colleagues and friends three months’ before the holidays. It is expensive – – a single trip costs RM $300 but it’s worth it. The taxi will pick us up at the customs checkpoint.”

While it is good to know that people take their travels seriously, those who are unable to take leave from work or school are left with no other choice than to arrange for private transport on Chinese New Year eve.

Says See: “You can always arrange for a prebet sapu (illegal taxicab). It costs more than a Malaysian taxi.”

Over the last few years, budget airlines like Jetstar Asia, Tiger Airways, Air Asia and Scoot have become the preferred mode of transport for Singaporeans and Malaysians living in Singapore. Air travel also means less jams along the causeway.

On hindsight, with the recent closure of prominent travel agency Five Star tours, moderate traffic jams along the North-South highway are expected. Drivers, no should be prepared!

Source: www.theindependent.sg

January 27, 2017
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital: Sister Is Not Family, Get Out Of A&E Room

Dear A.S.S. Editors

Here’s the story about my terrible experience at KTPH. My Brother was rushed to the A&E at KTPH due to high fever, severe vomiting and chest pains. We arrived at the Hospital at 4am. While waiting, my Father asked the nurse “around what time can my Son see the doctor?” And the nurse simply glared at him and walked away.

My Brother was still vomiting non stop and had hyperpehia due to severe pains. Did X-ray and blood test. Doctors couldn’t diagnose the problem and suspect that it is food poisoning and said that maybe can be discharged at 4pm.

At 9am, my Brother was finally warded to the EDTU and put on IV drip. My brother’s right hands were ice cold so we asked the nurse, and the nurse said “you touch my hand, my hand also very cold.” laughed and left. So we had no idea what was going on and we waited patiently for the results.

Finally at around 5pm, results came out. Doctor say it might be food poisoning but it cannot be confirmed. What? Then, proceeded to say that his white blood count is too high and have to do blood test again. Cannot be discharged and have to stay until tomorrow morning for further observation.

At around 8pm the doctor said that the test results are out, the blood count has been reduced slightly but not enough to be discharged. And the x-ray shows that my Brother’s left shoulder is dislocated and have to do second x-ray. What?

Brother was then wheeled to do the second x-ray and then the x-ray was cancelled because another doctor said it wasn’t necessary because it is just “flexible joints” and my Brother can be discharged. And that we had to wait 1 hour to get the MC and the discharge summary.

While waiting, A&E patient relation associate Mohd Yusof came in and suddenly asked my Mother if she’s the parent. Then he asked me “who are you?” I said I’m the Sister. He said “Sister is not family, you get out” So I said “huh? Sister is family. We are waiting for him to be discharged, he will be discharged soon.” And he said “no, Sister is not family, you get out. doctor can just talk to the Mother”

So I had to wait outside because apparently “Sister is not family” at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Absolutely ridiculous. Terrible terrible experience at KTPH and will never go back again.

Upset Family Member
A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

January 27, 2017
Surbana Sackings An Example Of Weak Unions In One-Party Rule

I read with sadness about the Surbana’s sacking of 54 workers. As an HR practitioner for 10 years, I’ve gone through many firing exercises.

Businesses will always place its profitability above everything else. That’s nature.

But what is not acceptable is that when it terminate employees under the guise of poor performance.

From news reports, we know that the terminated workers weren’t given the due process for the termination.

I believe this happens because our labour laws are inadequate such that a company as big as Surbana has the temerity to act in such a manner.

From this episode, I hope Singaporeans start to realise that a strong union with bite is necessary.

We need to start looking at matters that govern our lives and not allow politicians to dictate what is best for us.

To a certain extent, a weak Union is the result of a one party rule which is bad for any nation as opposed to what Mr Ong Ye Kung recently espouses.

Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

January 25, 2017
#MuslimWomenCrushWednesday – Which Muslim Woman Inspires You Most?

#MuslimWomenCrushWednesday

I’m gonna start off with the first Muslim woman that popped into my head. She’s a Speaker of Parliament, lawyer, unionist, daughter, mother, wife, mozlem, patron for the destigmatization of the mentally ill, hijabi (very confidently with her own unique style yo!), makcik bungkus2 (always spotted at a void deck happily helping fellow makcik and auntie grassroots with menial but necessary tasks like packing food), yishun-er (yes despite it’s increasingly ghetto status, she still lives in a humble hdb there), and most of all, i is so #fangirl over her cos she is a #sayitasitis-er!

“And then she said, set your own goals. If not, other people will set your goals for you, and you will become just a tool for other people to achieve their own goals. And don’t expect people to give you extra points just because you are a woman. Life is not golf; it doesn’t and shouldn’t work that way. #sayitasitis”

#MWCW
#yourturn

*We’re starting a hashtag movement! 1. Entitle your post “Muslim Women Crush Wednesday”. 2. Write (read: fangirl) about your favourite inspiring woman (Singaporean or otherwise) and 3. End it with #MWCW. Simple. You’ve got 24hours before Wednesday ends, go! And by you i mean YOU! Yes YOU, including the brothers who love their mothers.*

#Fangirling
She said that in Islam, women get to keep their own property after marriage, while under the common law, women’s property goes into the common property of the marriage. And then she said, so ladies, you don’t have to contribute a single cent to the household if you don’t want to. You are not obliged. But don’t go home and tell your husband that Mdm Halimah said this; this is what Islam says. But if you redha and you want to give to help your family, then Alhamdulillah, i think this is good. #truth

And then she went on to talk about Prof Ying and Mdm Zuraidah before talking about her own accomplishments. Well sort of really because she talked more about the work rather than HER accomplishments. #humility

And then she said, set your own goals. If not, other people will set your goals for you, and you will become just a tool for other people to achieve their own goals. And don’t expect people to give you extra points just because you are a woman. Life is not golf; it doesn’t and shouldn’t work that way.#sayitasitis

And then she said, actually ustaz, i had hoped more bapa2 come for this conference. Maybe next time if you have such a muslim women conference, we can get more of the men to come. (…) And i hope there will continue to be more women on masjid boards. And don’t just have the women there to tolong buat kopi…give them more diverse and significant roles. #amikkau

(Ok so it seems like fate has it that my fb (and hence perhaps your newsfeeds) will continue to be filled with awesome Muslim women this week. Enjoy! *and yes, i generally truly enjoy sitting behind pillars*)

#MuslimWomenConference

Source: Nur Khairiana

January 25, 2017