Thursday, June 8, 2023

Hustle and Hassle

Assalamualaikum wbt.

Remember when it was just several months ago, I wrote that it is hard to leave a good company. 

Here some more., an interesting finding.. "it is harder to leave a bad one."

I am feeling anxious and furious rn. Anxious of what else to come next and furious about what is currently happening. Not to mention, the frustration piling up as my trust being broken and shattered to pieces. 

"Huallah, Allahu Rabbi, laa syariikalah"

What happened today is way out of my plan. 6 months ago, I would never know this would have happened. 

I took up the offer to teach in an international school given my passion to teach. Only then to know that it is quite new in the scene for yet than a year . The offer came right after my engagement, sounds much like an opportunity of a great endeavor. As anxious I might have felt leaving the kind bosses, helpful colleagues and my fiance here at my previous job, I ought to break new ground in my career path. henceforth the hard decision. I always believe that there is rezqi in everything and every time, no exception on this one. "chulbal, lets go!!"

Teaching is great! Students are precious and teachers are resourceful. The profession has its own challenges which only make it more attractive to stick to. thus, I pour what I had and adapted. That is, despite the newness of the institution that make it lacking in so many structural form. That being said -  It has no Principal in charge but Deputy Head of the School at that moment, it has (court sorts) cases with its previous terminated-teachers (claiming the teachers are at fault; obviously) The high students turnover (the inability to retain customer), low admission rate with no proper sales and marketing team to take charge of it (but one man-show handled by only 1 personnel - later resigned, then on leveraging the teachers to do marketing and sales), the financial struggle (with some teachers were unpaid up to 4 months) and etc. Way too much of a red flag showing poor business practice by the company/management team. as a result, I got to see colleagues alike resigning from their post along the way because of the inconsistency they felt from the employer. 

Regardless, I still made my way through and through. The students are there to motivate me, so I tolerate and compromise. Ig the dedication was seen and acknowledged for towards the end of my probation period,  I was being awarded The Best Female Teacher for the term, 2022/2023; Alhamdulillah.

But sadly. That is that. when the salary payment (again) was way overdue, I got anxious. and the way management response to the issue, did turned me off big time. No prior notice issued, no meeting held to explain the situation and pointing fingers happened at it best.

I was somewhat did my own digging later on, simply to learnt that the company has not being transparent about 'not paying to my EPF and SOCSO contributions'. They did not pay me full amount, but they also did not contributing. The math is not mathing! No one really response to my inquiries when I revert to them about the issue. Hanky-panky saying that, the contributions will somehow to be made when the financial situation gets better yada-yada. They are toying with me straight on my face, not knowing that I was informed about how the hack things work. I played along, playing dumb. 

I decided to left (too) after so much thinking being done. I considered a lot. but my main drive is that, I did not feel comfortable any longer working. It feels wrong at so many levels, thus I handed my two-weeks notice as per to the contract requirements regarding the resignation procedure. My last date was supposedly to be effective on June 7th, before one sidedly being amended to the end of May (by the school) via whatsapp. To my surprise, I was then verbally and promptly being informed of early released on May 24th (along with guaranteed payment for May).  That was after about 50 minutes of questioning (interrogating?) my decisions and 2 on 1 conversation with the deputy head of school and head of operation personnel. It was quite messed up. Very much unprofessional. 

Fast forward to this day. June 8th 2023 Payment is yet to be paid. Now becoming overdue as the cut date was yesterday (on the 7th of the next salary month). Teachers that are staying had received their shares while it seems that I will have to fight for my rights. My commitments are due. Now after all the hustle, this is a hassle. Upsetting, really. 

p.s. Respectfully, I immediately refer to the HR cum accounting personnel this morning to inquire about my May salary, only to be replied that the matter has to be referred to the Deputy Head of the School (like wht?). Then, when someone (whose in the same shoes as I am) did refer to him as suggested. the deputy head of school said that it is not within his job scope for this so called salary matter (obviously, understood).