Help! Job dilemma

jw19 SG · 2007-04-07T20:59:33+00:00

Thank you so much for the useful advice, walesa! Darkness_hacker99> Ok, will take note.

jw19 SG

I got offered a job recently and agreed too quicky on the phone although I was unsatisfied with the pay package.

Despite that little tinge of unhappiness, I went down to sign the letter of offer.
I had to do so on the spot as they did not allow me to take home the contract and benefits appendix - approx 10 pgs, font size arial 8 or smaller) photocopied twice or thrice from original staff benefits booklet so that the words were all smudgy and blurry and not updated at all as the HR officer made amendments and cancellations in blue ink on the benefits appendix as she spoke to me.

Note: The benefits like medical leave & 13th month bonus that were conveyed to me verbally were not seen on the short 1 1/2 page contract that did not even state my date of commencement. Is this appropriate?

I hesitated in signing on the spot. (my gut instincts went all awry when I picked up the pen, just could not sign it)

The job prospects are pretty good for a greenhorn like me in the mid-twenties. However, are they compromising on the lack of professionalism/ quality in presenting the contract/offer to me in such a way precisely because I am not so experienced?

Should I take up the offer without furthur questions or look for another job?

yihao93 SG

let them noe and get them to draft a new 1

jw19 SG

Thanks, I thought of that too but I was aftraid that my image has been strained by my actions -

I told them that I wanted to reconsider this position as my gut instincts told me not to sign the contract. The HR officer got pretty worked out and told me they even had my e-mail account set up already.. Howver, she would give me a few more days to rethink my decision.

I have shown unprofessionalism in turning up, not signing the contract and telling her that I wanted to reconsider... (I only found out about the loopholes in the contract when I was chatting with a friend that night...)

The HR officer later informed me that she had conveyed the message to the upper management of the company that I was reconsidering this position. I fear that even before working for this company, my "good-name" has been tarnished...

If I proceed to tell her to amend the contract, will I furthur frustrate her and my goodwill/ relationship with the company?

This is my key problem... Crying or Very sad

browniebaobao SG

it's always good to have things in black and white.

no need to feel bad about it.

it shows how unprofessional they are.

jw19 SG

Thanks, I will do that! Wink

walesa SG

What you've done is perfectly sensible and understandable - I don't see the qualms you should harbour about your actions...

What's tarnishing your image, compared to taking up an offer only to realise later you've been deceived? It's a small price to pay, methinks. However, if you're concerned your actions have damaged your prospects in the company somewhat, you could always look for another job... Razz

jw19 SG

Thanks for the gd advice Walesa! Very Happy

Ito_^ SG

i agree. Very Happy

duotiga83 SG

that is what happen to me in my crrent 1st job Sad but anyway i tender this wk liao Mr. Green looking forward to my nxt job

jw19 SG

Wow, I'm glad for you that you have a better job to look forward too. Just curious, how long have you stayed on in this current job?

I guess some employers will jump at your weak points/ inexperience and take advantage of you in any way they can, especially if you are a greenhorn like me. Confused

What I've learnt from this lesson is to always be prepared for any outcome & research, research, research... Rolling Eyes

dork3d SG

You have the right to request for a proper documentation which states down all the conveyed condition, verbally and written...

This is not implying your unwillingness but display your sense of diligence and your professionalism...

If the company, in some ways or others, 'marks' you, then there are not an equal oppurtunity empolyer...

jw19 SG

Thanks dork3d, I will speak to the HR officer to redraft the contract first thing Monday morning. Smile

MS SG

Hi JW19,

I am also in the midst of looking for a new job. Was offered a post in the west area. Pay wise seems reasonable but it as an executive in the construction industry doesn't seem to bode well on my future. Went for another 2 more interviews one of which has a much higher pay while the other is what I really hope to do.

But job market seems pretty good now. As I have been to 1 interview every week ever since I started looking for a job 3 weeks ago and 1 of them already offered.

Look around more. It is not good to rush into things. You're in your mid 20s now, so it's very important for you to plan your route now and do something worthwhile. You will not enjoy the essence of your youth by your mid 30s when everything start slowing down. If you really feel that the job is not for you, it doesn't hurt to look for another one.

Also don't accept the job yet quit it 1 or 2 months later. It's not going to reflect well in your resume Stick with it at least for a year.

duotiga83 SG

up to this mth is 10th mth but i feel that i didnt progress much and learn much so i decided to make a move 1st and my current boss like to take the new ppl advantage and giving misinformation Rolling Eyes

walesa SG

There's no equal opportunity employment to speak off in Singapore with labour standards that are not much better than that of a third world country - there isn't even a minimum wage legislation to ensure workers aren't exploited, much less trade unions to safeguard the rights of such workers.

Actually, equal opportunity employment is a pretty hard principle to enforce even in first-world democratic countries with top-notch labour standards simply because discriminations can arise through all sort of means, covered up by a vast array of excuses.

That said, I think dork3d has a point in suggesting that one should request for all essential terms to be stated in a document most people are expected to sign prior to employment - that's just about the only thing you've to fall back on should any disputes arise and you need to pursue matters through legitimate avenues to redress your grievances. This is really important and not something you should be shy/have reservations about when it comes to asking for it - in fact, you shouldn't sign anything until you're sure you've read through all the terms and make sure everything on it is agreeable to you...

FireIce SG

if u don't feel comfortable, don't sign
ask for a proper original copy with everything stated clearly
go through everything word for word, make sure there is no ambiguity......any doubts, ask immediately.....

Airbus330Captain SG

I agree with all the comments. Remember once you sign the contract , you have to commit yourself to it. Make sure it’s something that you like to do and make sure you feel comfortable with the contract details ..etc , still feeling doubts? Move on and look for another job.

jw19 SG

Thank you everyone for responding! Surprised

MS>

Wow 1 job interview every week since you started your job search? That's pretty impressive! I have been actively applying for a job since January this year and only managed a pathethic 4 interviews.

I feel I might have no choice but to take on this job for a year and gain more experience/ income. Also, time is running out as the next batch of poly and uni grads will be coming out to join the jobhunt soon Exclamation

duotiga83>

Better luck in your next job!

walesa>

I agree with you. What pisses me off is that I can't bring the contract and benefits home to go through. It's not that I'm not interested in the job but faced with so many pages (the appendix for example) to read, I should be able to carefully go through every single point before I sign & reconsider the deal if need be.

However, the HR officer told me that the contract is private & confidential and that I can't take it home to read. Is this the norm?

FireIce & Airbus330Captain>

I don't think I'm in the position to be choosey after sending out nearly 100 resumes and only getting a paltry 4 responses. Neutral

walesa SG

I'm afraid that's the norm. You are usually not allowed to bring the document home, although you'll be given a copy - at least an abridged one, if not the full copy - of it to keep once you've signed it for your reference. In fact, that's not restricted to employment documents - it's the same for people accepting scholarships too. Wink

That's why I suggest you should not feel compelled to rush through the terms and sign it even if you feel pressurised. Take the entire day if that's how long you need to go over every term and clause - that's your prerogative and your right. At the end of the day, if you don't look after your interest, no one will.

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Better look out for this,

"once you leave the company, you cannot be empolyed in the same industry for at least a year"...