Here it goes, my story continues…(sorry for disappearing for a long time)
Well, for the past month or two, I’ve been struggling inside of me, whether to stay or to leave. The money is just too attractive to me. How weak am i? A few thousands, is all that’s needed to bribe my heart.
My job is fairly simple. Apart from handling minor projects, everyday I will have to call and reply emails from the test-houses. These test-houses perform the safety certification of our products. In other words, I’m a translator more than an engineer.
In June, another department has an opening, and the manager of the respective department made an enquiry for my possible move. However, my immediate manager snubbed the move, saying that, “no, I will not let you move”.
Finally, I’ve decided to leave in September, not coming back after my convocation early of the month. However, all I can only do is to plan. The final act, usually, is beyond our control.
On the 2nd of August, after happily receiving my July’s salary, my manager asked if my current project has been completed. I told him it’s almost done, just the final details. Then that night, I receive a phone call from him, asking me to resign as soon as possible. He added that he had been trying to persuade the Director not to retrench me. So I asked him when he expects me to leave and matters regarding my compensation. The final word, NO compensation, and just to add salt, I have to resign as soon as possible.
That night I went home, thinking of how to device a strategy to pursue what I deserve. I contacted the Consulate General in Hong Kong, since my salary is paid through Hong Kong office. Then I’ve checked the labour law of China and Hong Kong. It states that I am entitled to a month’s pay.
I was very disappointed and pissed off. That morning I went to the office, then asked once more for the exact date I’m suppose to resign, he replied “5th August”.
5th August? Not even a week’s notice. That fool probably has violated the labour law as the minimum notice under the most unconvincing circumstances, is 7 days. I told him, I will discuss with the HR’s director. He even had the guts to discourage me saying it will be futile.
I was determined. I went to speak with the man, he clarified some stuff with the manager, then he called me up. In the meeting the two headed snake did not say a single thing. According to the Director, my manager said that I am not suitable for the job. I wanted to rubbish that out, but I know it will be useless. Calm and collected, I said in mandarin, “If you want me to leave in such notice, I am claiming my compensation.”
He probably has done his homework, checking through my work permit, tax payments, and the employment contract. That is the best option, to compensate me. So I set off, I had to go tens of departments to sign my resignation and to clear off all my responsibilities. Imagine, having to run in a level 6 typhoon. I have no choice, I had to get it done the same day.
God’s grace, I got a call for a job confirmation, an hour away from here and I can start as soon as Monday. Somehow, my disappointments and sadness turned into joy. A blessing in disguise. Good, now that the decision has been made for me. I will try it out for a month, and if it is good, I will come back after my September break.
I want to let you all know how evil can certain people be. But rest assured, it is not how the Chinese are in general, it is just some people have a very narrow mind and heart that’s it.
From my sources, my now former manager had already fill the resignation letter for me, without my consent. Of course, I demand a new form as he had already written some bullshit down. Then it came to my knowledge that he forced the assistant to fill “fired” instead of “resign”. How evil can a man be? Thankfully, my department’s director did not agree with that and he changed it to resign. (there wasn’t retrenchment option in the cause of resignation). The HR director told me that it was the choice of the manager in choosing who to be retrenched. Good try, the **** play-acted; tried to protect me.
I did not even want to discuss anything with him. Good thing, I still kept some important details of my work away from him. If I have nothing in hand, I cannot imagine how I will be treated. So it is, either I get my compensation today, or the information goes missing forever. (As a professional, I am not supposed to leak or bring out company information, but the company did not state that I cannot destroy or hide information)
They probably will take a few days or weeks to redo or continue my project from mid point. By then, the company would have lost their purchase order.
This thing, I’ve learnt from Sun Tzu. Though I never really read the book on Art of War, but I remember that in a battle, we must always have the first blood and the upper hand over our enemies. So I made everything a move quicker than him. However, unlike him, I have no evil intentions; I’m on offensive-forced defensive.
He can say that I am not suitable, but why in the first place I am in the department for 6 months? If I have communications problem with locals, how did I get ALL my assignments done? Who contacted the Americans, Canadian, Germans, Australians, Hong Kies and Chinese to discuss about testing procedures? The whole department could not speak English. They all depended on me. For any reasons he can find, there is none that is valid. Only I have the reason to resign.
Anyways, looking at the bright side, it backfired and now the company has to pay my one month long holiday. JUST to mention, I’ve found a new job; far better prospects. I should thank him for all that’s good. If he did not fire me, I will not give this job a try. Now I have one month to analyze and consider this job.
More than just that, I have gained more than I ever imagine. Well, losing some along the way too. But just press on, I know Someone is watching over me and he always bring angels to help me. That is one true thing; I love my God, I love my family, I love my darling, I love my friends.
