Don't you always find yourself saying "If only I had done....... then....."
There are many instances in life whereby you will always look back and realise that what actions you have taken previously may seems silly or you regret what you have done.
I had one of such 'If only' situation yesterday too. I saw a kitten at my office last evening (8.15pm). It looks like a newborn kitten, eyes barely open yet. While waiting for a taxi, I head soft mews and was curious why would there be a mewing sound in the midst of a CBD area. It is offices everywhere and definitely not a good area for animals to roam.
As such, I followed the sound to find a kitten sitting on stones at the fake garden. It looks hungry and scared, unsure of why it was being there.
The first thought running through my head was what am I supposed to do? No one actually bothers to trace the mewing sound to see where the kitten is.
I felt really bad for it and wanted to go near it. But with another step I took, the kitten dashed its way under a pavement and I was unable to come in touch with it. In my burning heart, I seriously consider taking the kitten home but will any taxi allowed that? How should I carry it?
My taxi took a very long while to arrive (15minutes) and with each seconds ticking by, I keep seeing its little head peeping out of the hole, glancing at me. It looks helpless. To lure it out, I mewed at it. To my surprise, it took little steps to walk out of the hole.
However, I decided against risking to bring it up a taxi and not being able to reach home. I looked at it with guilty eyes and walked towards my taxi as the taxi arrives.
When I reached home, I told my mother the same story and I tried my luck to sound her opinion on having a kitten at home. My mother was all for it. And at the point, I regretted not bringing it back.
So for the whole night, I was wondering "If only I had brought the kitten home, then it would have been happier.."
But nonetheless, it is an action that I regretted not doing. Why is life so full of options.. I wish there is only one road to take and it will be the right one for everyone.
Making choices is definitely a tough decision every now and then because there's always "If only..."
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Employment Laws - who is protected?
Another bothering issue on my mind recently - the employment laws in Singapore. By practice, I'm a HR personnel but a small one 'lah'! However, I am attending modules and completing my HR degree soon. One module that I took an extreme interest in is the Employment Laws. Employment Laws cover certain employees earning a certain salary in certain positions. Basically, it usually covered those paid below 2k in Singapore.
But, few knows that laws exists to protect them. One of the few is my parents. Basically, my dad works 365days a year, his only rest day is the 1st day of Chinese New Year. He does have annual leave entitlement but his boss never allowed him to take it. He's a gas delivery man. He belongs to the workmen category and is covered by the employment act in Singapore.
In fact, he should not be overworked and if overtime is required, he needs to be paid overtime payment. But, none of these (overtime payment and annual leave) was given to him at all. He earns just a basic $1,800 / month.
For the baby boomers and some older Gen X people, they tend to be uneducated. The lucky ones get to study all the way to unversity but most people stopped at primary or secondary education, like my parents.
As such, most of them are unsure and unaware of what are certain laws in placed to protect them.
The reach out from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is very limited. They have websites, call centres and even use social media to reach to employees and employers alike.
However, these new technology are alien to most baby boomers or older Gen X. I feel that MOM should do even more reach out to such people. A flyer, in 4 different languages, or seminars should be given and conducted regularly at community centres respectively.
Another good way is to spread the word by mouth. Educate 1 worker and the worker can then transfer the knowledge to another person.
Even the younger ones like the Gen Z group should be edcated on this. I started working as an admin at the age of 19 and was paid only $1,400 with a diploma. In the event if OT is required, I was not compensated. But according to the employment act then, anyone who earns $1,600 and below should be compensated if overtime has been done (>44 hours).
I was not taught of this employment act module in polytechnic and am not aware of this.
As such, I was more or less 'conned' of hours worked.
Therefore, in view of this, I realise that many people needs to know how much and how are they being protected by the government of Singapore. I hope that every young adult can try their best to understand the law and in return, educate their parents on their rights.
Right now, I'm doing my part to help my own parents :)
But, few knows that laws exists to protect them. One of the few is my parents. Basically, my dad works 365days a year, his only rest day is the 1st day of Chinese New Year. He does have annual leave entitlement but his boss never allowed him to take it. He's a gas delivery man. He belongs to the workmen category and is covered by the employment act in Singapore.
In fact, he should not be overworked and if overtime is required, he needs to be paid overtime payment. But, none of these (overtime payment and annual leave) was given to him at all. He earns just a basic $1,800 / month.
For the baby boomers and some older Gen X people, they tend to be uneducated. The lucky ones get to study all the way to unversity but most people stopped at primary or secondary education, like my parents.
As such, most of them are unsure and unaware of what are certain laws in placed to protect them.
The reach out from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is very limited. They have websites, call centres and even use social media to reach to employees and employers alike.
However, these new technology are alien to most baby boomers or older Gen X. I feel that MOM should do even more reach out to such people. A flyer, in 4 different languages, or seminars should be given and conducted regularly at community centres respectively.
Another good way is to spread the word by mouth. Educate 1 worker and the worker can then transfer the knowledge to another person.
Even the younger ones like the Gen Z group should be edcated on this. I started working as an admin at the age of 19 and was paid only $1,400 with a diploma. In the event if OT is required, I was not compensated. But according to the employment act then, anyone who earns $1,600 and below should be compensated if overtime has been done (>44 hours).
I was not taught of this employment act module in polytechnic and am not aware of this.
As such, I was more or less 'conned' of hours worked.
Therefore, in view of this, I realise that many people needs to know how much and how are they being protected by the government of Singapore. I hope that every young adult can try their best to understand the law and in return, educate their parents on their rights.
Right now, I'm doing my part to help my own parents :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)