I’m still serving the SAME company! Don’t you see it?

One of the terms of my latest contract which I requested for amendments recently is the probationary period notice of termination. Although I never experienced having to leave my employee within the probationary period and I don’t think I will experience one with my new position, enforcing 7 days for notice period in my contract I think is very harsh! Justifications: 1) I am a foreign staff who will suffer greatly should such termination takes place due to the commitment that I have, which the company is fully aware of, and 2) I am a god damn existing employee of the organisation! Why is it that you need the probationary period when you can easily get reference of me from people in the Malaysia's office?? After all we are working under the same umbrella. The policy just sucks! Or it could be that they just took the standard contract template, pasted my name and sent it off. duhh ….

Why should I suffer for the Company?

Having lost my mobility premium that was initially offered in the original package I turned to my HR department to see if they can assist to pay for it. My expectation was quite high since my boss had said it should be possible. But it wasn’t to be. HR refused with a big No! I was quite upset. Had I known that the chances were gonna be this slim I would have included mobility premium in the list of items for negotiation in my email to the HQ yesterday. Sigh … . Never trust nobody. Now I have to go back to the HQ and ask them to consider giving me the mobility premium as well.

Being in this company, in general, I repeat .. in general, based on my observation, and I believe others would agree, if your skin colour is other than white, chances are you will get second class treatment when it comes to career development. You may reach a certain level but it won’t be far. Albeit multinational, it is not in totality. This is a rare opportunity and a big step for me. No doubt about it. HR should realise this and should support a fellow Malaysian relocate in comfort. Other expats from Europe, Australia, US etc are majority on expat package. Why am I denied such a privilege when the HQ surprisingly is willing to give? huh ??? What lah ! If Malaysian cannot support Malaysian, dunno how we can continue to hold on to the “Malaysia Boleh” spirit.

Development of my Transfer Contract

Finally, the new contract for my transfer arrived last week. As anticipated, some benefits were taken out from the initial offer as it is now a local package rather than the so called the long term transfer policy or genuine expat package. As far as the annual salary is concerned, the figure is pretty much the same if looked at in totality. Not an issue. But, the overall package is probably slightly less attractive than the original. I immediately sent my response with requests on certain aspects to be amended to ensure I’m not in the losing end and every part of my family’s and my interests are well protected. Some might think I’m too demanding. But, to me it’s better to work it out now than later. After all I’m going there with a young baby and a soon to be unemployed wife. If I were a bachelor, I probably won’t have pushed so much for negotiation.

Looking at the way things go now, I begin to see my self sitting at my new work desk on 1 July. Even if they refuse to give all that I’m trying to negotiate for, I think I will just make the jump. It’s a big big jump. Exciting, at the same time worrying.