My Resignation

I have to leave my recent company which I have worked with for almost 4 years & 8 months (April 04 - Dec 08) due to some unavoidable reasons. This being my first permanent career since graduated in year 05. I'm the branch manager, deal more on managing & marketing activities.

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Well, this was really a hard decision to make, as lots of things need to be taken into account:

1. Cash Flow Issue: daily expenditure, car loan, PTPTN loan, credit card debts & etc

2. Economy Crisis : during global economy down time, most companies are recently practicing 3C [ cut cost, cut salary, cut staff (redundancy) ] to minimize the money invest in the business in order to maximize the profits. So it would be quite difficult to find a better career during this period.
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But have no choice, I have to resign earlier than planned because of:
1. Totally lost interest & confident to the company quite a long time ago.
2. The company is began to cut cost now, and expect to practice the other 2C (cut salary & cut staff) very soon. Since Nov 08, the management tends to simply transfer staffs from one outlet to another outlet without a good reason (all these while, this is company's ploy to force staffs to resign at their own, so needless to pay 3 months salaries for firing you)
3. Stress & tension! Since the price increment of 50-100% in the lab services, majority GP clinics have slowly switched to other lab service providers which offer better rate. So since June 08 til Dec 08 (1/2 year period), the outlet under my supervision experienced almost 50% decrement in the sales. I have to bear the responsibility for the bad sales although is not my faulth, the management themselve made a wrong (to be more precise, is innocent) business strategy.
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After a long consideration & hesitation, I tendered my resignation letter (one month notice) to the HR Department on 10 Nov 08. My last day work was on 28 Dec 08 (after clear all my replacement & annual leave; official last day should be on 9 Jan 09).
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Now I still jobless & trying to seek new career via the newspapers & online sources (e.g. findjobs, monster, jobstreet & etc. Anyway still failed to find a job which match to my qualification (Health Science in Biomedicine), or in other word, difficult to find a job which related to my study field (e.g. medical laboratory technologist, scientist, medical / sale representative, research officer...etc). If let say really can't find a new or better permanent job in short period, then will try other alternatives like doing part time job, running own business or ......
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My First Oversea Travelling Trip

First of all, when you are reading this post entry, I think I just reached the LCCT (KL). Ya, I took the 21:40P.M AirAsia flight from Miri to KL, and should reach LCCT at round 11:50P.M. Together with me are Fern, Lucy, and Siao Chee. Then you must be very curious if you are a detail person and has noticed that this entry is posted on 12/7/08 at 00:00A.M. Does amei79 really in LCCT right now? Does he publish this post entry immediately right after he reached LCCT? Of course the answer is YES for question no.1, NO for question no.2. Well I'm using the "Scheduled Post" feature of Blogger to publish this post, wanna know more & learn how to do "Scheduled Post"? Okie, you can head on to A.P.P.L.E.
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We will fly to Phuket Island (Thailand) by tomorrow afternoon (12:55P.M, 13/7/08). We planned this Phuket trip since March 08. I almost miss this trip at very last minute, you know why? I have submited my leave form to HR in the middle of June, I applied for 4 days leave. End of June, HR told me that my leave not approve by Management, they asked me postpone this vacation trip, due to recently the business is slow & unstable due to launch of the new price list. So they wanted me put more effort on gaining back the doctors' support.
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I replied them that I have booked all the air tickets and hotel room, the bills are paid, so how can I either postpone or cancel the travelling trip? The management warned me that "in future, never buy any tickets without leave approval"! ~Sigh~ Does this make sense? Does this in-directly mean that we have to let management to plan our leave instead of we plan our own? -_-'''

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I replied "Im sorry on this plan & trip, but I have no choice, to buy cheap tickets at airasia & save cost, we have to buy as early as we can, so cant wait til the leave approved, unless we can submit the leave application & get it approved in 3 - 4 mth earlier b4 the leave date. so need ur kind consideration pls."

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You know, I'm so pissed off that time? I even have made a very bad desicion, if in case management doesn't want to re-consider my application (not approve my leave), I have only 2 options:

1. Apply 4 days unpaid leave. If still not approve, then

2. I will just quit the job. If quit, I will need to give the company at least one month notice, the mean time, I still have 14 days of annual leave (exclude the 4 days leave applied earlier); so probably after the submit of the resignation, I'll only need to work til 11/7, and start my long annual leave (14+4=18 days) from 12/7 to 31/7, I still able to catch my Phuket trip......: )

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Luckily, none of the above will happen......finally the management is kind to approved max 3 days leave for me. Anyway, since my Phuket trip is a 5D4N trip (13/7 - 17/7), another one day is needed, so what should I do? Still wanna me teach you meh, pandai-pandai lah! :p

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[ Remark: This is not really my first oversea travelling trip, I have been in Brunei for several times. Anyway, as Brunei is too close to Miri (around 2-3 hours journey, by land), so you won't have that special kind of feeling, and you won't feel like you are in oversea......that all for this time, will update you more on my Phuket Trip soon. TaTa...! ]

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Stress Over The Money

I'm wondering why lately I feel that the "Money" suppress me hard & harder till I can't breath smoothly! Do I gain more & more money now-a-day which make it heavier & heavier? No, I don't! My income still remain the same and my money get lesser & lesser day by day instead...then why I have that feeling? I'm stress over the money I guess?!! ~ Sigh ~

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The price of the rice has just been revised not long ago in June 08 and the increment is almost 70-100%. Well, so far I found that most blogger only blog on the "Petrol Price Hike", only few blogger found to blog on the "Rice Price Hike". Huh? why no one voice out their complain? Hmm, I'm wondering of most Malaysian do not eat rice or have their meal(s) without rice now a day? I have no idea, maybe only the rice price in Sarawak has been increased or Malaysians concern more on petrol than rice? Anyway it was a big shock for those who eat rice as a main staple. Most of the Miri citizen went to the supermarket & hypermarket to shop for the rice as many as they could crazily last few days, until the related authority has announced that each consumer is only allowed to buy the max of 2 packs of rice per purchase yesterday in the press.

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Petrol price hike! Pak Lah has announced that the petrol price is revised from RM1.91 to RM2.70 with effect 5 June 08, which increased by RM0.78 or 41%. This was the 2nd big shock to all Malaysians who owned a bike or vehicle or more! Pak Lah also announced that government is going to float the fuel price in accordance with the global market price in August 08, is it a good news or bad news? Well with this tactics the petrol price can be rised up to RM4 or above according to the news! Now all people claimed that we are affordable to buy a car, but unaffordable to buy the petrol to "feed" the it. So what should we do? Buy a bicycle and use the bus "No 11" for short distance traveling? ( I will suggest my boss can float my salary accordance with the global market too, with the min RM2,000 and no max limit ... just kidding! )

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[ Are you also in the long Q to fill your car's tank before the petrol price "climb" up to RM2.70 after 4/6 midnight? Honestly I did, I'm in the long Q for 1 hour (22:45 - 23:45P.M) ! Anyway I'm there to take the closest photo on the scene in Shell Petrol Station for blogging purpose at the beginning, not to fill the tank. Since I have been in the Q for almost 15 minutes, Fern suggests me just fill the tank even though still full. So at the end as estimated, only RM13.50 of petrol pump into the tank. ]
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Have you do a health screening or blood tests before? Do you believe in "Laboratory Testing Price Hike"? For your information, my company (private healthcare group) has just launched its new price list (which will take effect on 1 June 08) end of May 08, so all marketing staffs (of course include myself) are urged by the management to inform the clinics under the coverage within 31 May. I'm shocked when go through the new price list thoroughly, the price of the lab tests are increased by 20% to more than 100%! OMG, how should I expect GP doctors and customers willing to accept this "surprise" if myself still not ready for the change?

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Luckily, I'm always being so lucky, Miri GP doctors listen my explanations calmly with good understanding; Unlike other marketing staffs who got shoot or bomb by GP doctors. Anyway, doctors always have more then one choice, there are many other laboratories that providing the same services, e.g Gribbles, Pathlab and etc, which recently still selling the lab tests at cheap old rate. Of course my company have an advantage against the other local labs, by which our group is accredidated with ISO15189 (which recognize internationally) by Department of Standard Malaysia, this is the strong point to gain doctors' continuous support.

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The problem is that we are not the ONLY one, Gribbles also accredidated with ISO15189. These are the only two labs accredidated with ISO15189 in full scopes (Chemical Pathology, Cytophatology, Histopathology, Hematology, Medical Microbiology, and Virology) in Malaysia so far. The existence of single potential competitor like Gribbles is enough to cause me an serious headache. I'm so tension now, as I'm sure my monthly lab sale performance will drop dramatically in the recent month, next month & onward if other labs still remain unchanged in their pricing. Will I lose my career soon?

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You know what? Today I heard people said that the cooking oil will rise in the price too by tomorrow, by 50% increment. I have visited few supermarkets to observe the condition after work, well terrible...only few bottles of cooking oil remain on the racks! Some said that they have called Miri Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Department (DTCA, 美里贸消部) for clarification and DTCA has denied on the price increment in the cooking oil. So is it just a hearsay or a truth?

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Perhaps you know why am I stress over the money now, because of I'm having the "Vitamin-M malabsorption" disorder. The main symptoms of the disorder are:

1. complaining of money no enough all the time

2. weak immunity to against the rised in daily expenditures

3. phobia to the price hike in all aspects

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Vitamin-M insufficiency reminds me on the "M-Shaped Society" (M型社會) too, which is an observation put forward by the Japanese business strategist and writer Kenichi Ohmae. According to this theory, only 2 societies exist: the "Rich Society" who comprised of 10% rich men who monopolized the 90% of the worldwide wealth and the "Poor Society" who comprised of 90% of the poor men who shared the another remaining 10% of the worldwide wealth (The "Intermediate Society" has extincted! ) The economic & social gaps among these 2 societies becomes greater & greater over the time. So which society are you in?

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You Decide to Stay or Quit

I have work with my recent company for 4 years long (since 1st April 2004). I still remember, just few months after I joined this company, I talked to my self that, I won't stay here long, perhaps max 1 year! The main reason is I'm not really interested in marketing life. But wow, the time flies, without my conscious, and I even can't belief that I have been here for that long already, 4 years! Huh! I'm still here after 4 years??? ~Sign~
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Within these 4 years time, I have saw many staffs come in & go out the company (when is my turn? hihi), the rate of the staffs' turn-over seem is abit high compare to other companies which under the same industry field. What is / are the reason(s) for the high staffs' turn-over rate? I have no idea, but I guess it might certainly has a close relation to the staffs' employee benefits:

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1. Salary Revision

I had my first salary increment After the 6 months probation period. After that, I have my salary increment every year, but till recent year my net salary still not much higher compare to the salary of last 3 years. You know why? As at the first year of work, company offered me RMY of basic salary + RM2X of outstation allowance; In 2nd year, management has increased my basic salary to RMY + RMX, in the same time the allowance reduced to RMX; Whislt in the 3rd year, my basic salary has been revised to RMY + RM2X, without any allowance; this year (last month), my basic salary remain the same, management gave me RMX of allowance. Does it mean my basic salary will be revised to RMY + RM3X with no allowance in the nex year? Can you catch what I meant? Anyway, I have to admit that, the salary offered is highest compare to other competitors.

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2. End Year Bonus

First year, I received one month bonus from the management. According to the senior staffs, this being the first time they had the 1 month bonus! The following year, management announced that, staffs' bonus to determined by few factors, e.g sale performance, no of day of annual leaves taken...etc. So in the 2nd & 3rd year of work, I received bonus of 5 digits, with a "." after the 1st 3 digits, and the 1st digit is not more than 3......Can you imagine? Why should annual leaves to be listed as one of the factors that decide our bonus? Isn't sound like we used our bonus to buy the annual leaves?!! And this year, no news at all...... ~ Sigh ~

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3. Annual Leave

Of course like other private companies, we have annual leave entitlement after the 6 months probation period. If we failed to claim all the annual leave, it will be burnt, as neither bring forward to the next year nor claim for money is not allow. Just end of year 2007, I have been informed by HR that staffs are not allow to take more than 3 days leave within a month...Oh shit, how if I wanna have a long vacation in the foreign countries? To apply for the un-pay leave?!!

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4. Working Hours

Most of the staffs have to work 6 days a week, depent on the area, the operating hours listed below:

Monday - Friday : 8:00A.M to 5:00P.M

Saturday aaaaaaa: 8:00A.M to 1:00P.M

Sunday aaaaaaaa : 8:00A.M to 12:00P.M

Holidays* aaaaaa : Close (12 days a year)

Can you see, us as a employee have to tender majority part of our times to work for the company' s good. It is quite tired. Good news is, with effect 1st May 08, Miri outlet to be close on the Sunday. And management has managed to added another 4 1/2 days public holidays** (operating hours: 8:00A.M to 1:00P.M) to all the outlets

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Remark:

(*)a -- New Year Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Christmas Day, Birthday of Agong, Birthday of TYT, National Day, Labour Day, Gawai Festival

(**) -- Awal Muharam, Hari Raya Haji, Birthday of Prophet Muhammad, Good Friday

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Advantage of Being a Tax Payer

The dateline for Income Tax Form submission is just around the corner (30 April 08), you have less than 2 days to get it done. It won't waste you too much of time, perhaps 5-10 minutes will do, if all the neccesarry documents (e.g EA Forms, EPF statement, Insurance Statement, Receipts & etc) are well prepared. Of course the internet line (Streamyx) must works well too.

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With the implement of the so called e-Filing by the Inland Revenue Boarch of Malaysia (LHDN - Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri), this has ease the task of BE form submission through the online system. What you need to do is just to follow the 4 easy steps that indicated in the e-Filing page as shown below. It is easy, accurate & safe!

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You have a responsibility to pay the income tax if your annual total incomes are above RM25,000 (if not mistaken, please correct me if I'm wrong). You mustn't escape yourself from the responsibility of being a Tax-Payer, as it has its advantage(s), such as it is one of the money (capital) resources of our government to pay bills for all kind of local development projects & other expenses.

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The main advantage is that, whenever you encounter any Government Servant in any Government Department who is not punctual, slow in motion, lazy, un-friendly, bad temper, arrogant & etc, you can always sound on he / she loudy: ~

"I'm a Tax-Payer, Ok?"

"I pay your salary / income, you know?"

"Your salary is part of my money, Ok?"

"I'm your boss, you should serve me better!"

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You see, this is an advantage of being a tax-payer. I have told you this, now is your turn to decide on your next action (pay or not pay)! Anyway you can say these so, even though you are not a "qualified" tax-payer, as no body will know....and so what? Is their fault & mistake...... :p

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Tough Front Line Services

If you are in the front line services, then you must know how tough is it to entertain a customer who is so stubborn and like to make a fuss about nonthing. You have to be so patience & with a sweat smiling face although you are not in mood just because of the words of wisdom "Customer is always right" & "Customer is the King"!

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Listed below are some of the cases I have encountered oftenly which is so incomprehensible & make me felt so frustrated:~

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1. Insist for a discount
I feel unhappy if customer(s) keep asking me for a discount, especially after a long explaination on why no discount offered (of course we do offer discount in certain cases, even though customer not asking for it), but they still insist to have it! Some even claimed that they are "regular customer" so must have such special treat as a return, but the fact is when check into the computer system, found that (s)he has just visited us for one time only with a blood test cost 2 digits in the past.
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2. Tend to skirt around the subject
Some customers seem are health conscious, ask questions from A to Z, and shown their interest in having a full screening tests...but later come out with an excuse like "Oop, Im not fasted!" or "Oh shit, not enough money lah!", then say "you just do the HIV screening for me 1st lah....". WTH...So hard for you to tell your intention directly? Waste my time to listen & explain, somemore is during busy hours.
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3. So ignorance
Has been reminded few times to bring along with the blood test receipt whenever come to collect the blood test report. Un-fortunately they never listen into their ears or what we chinese called "right ear in, left ear out?"! Okie, doesn't matter, at least they have bring their I/C...but so sad to hear "Sorry, I forget to bring my I/C!" or "Sorry, I don't bring my I/C". Is alright, they might able to tell me the I/C no...who know "Err...can't remember my I/C no lah!"......What the age now? Still go everywhere without an I/C? Then what the I/C is for? Would suggest to frame it up & display in the guest (bed) room?
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4. So annoyance
Some customers knew that his (her) house-maid's 2 years work permits will expired very soon, e.g 25 March 08. They never want to renew it earlier until the date 25/3 falls, then they now willing to rush here & there to do the Foreign Worker Examination, and hope that we can provide (s)he an instant report...but sorry to inform, the fastest only can be ready by next day evening (e.g 2:30 P.M). So they have been told the time report be ready. Who know the next day morning just 10:30A.M they have called in ask for the report, and later one call every 1/2 to 1 hour. Can you imagine, each call we tell them over & over that the report be out at around 2:30P.M, but why they just seem like a deaf still keep calling non-stop?
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5. So Nonsense
Amei79: Can I help you?
Nonsense: How much is your full screening?
Amei79: RM120 for 45 tests.
Nonsense: Why so expensive? "this" lab & "that" lab only RM80...
Amei79: May be different test contents or they having promotion....blah blah blah
Nonsense: No No No, exactly the same package, is normal rate, I go there many times before...
Amei79: Here is RM100. So would you like to proceed or do it in other labs?
Nonsense: Just do it here lah...what to do since Im already here & fasted!
(Pls: if the "this" or "that" lab just 5 minutes walk from my office, what would be your best decision?)

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Anyway, I learnt a lot from the front line services, especially the communication & socialization skills, which being an important & powerful tool build up the relationship & networking in order for us to step forward to the gate of success.

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Foreign Workers Medical Check-Up

Yesterday I just assisit in a foreign workers' medical check-up which under a clinic Fern works with. This medical check-up involved 118 workers from Kalimantan, Indoneisa and it was held in a canteen of Shin Yang Sdn Bhd, located at Kuala Baram, Miri (around 3oKM form town center.)

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118 workers involved in medical check-upa
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My colleague, Jabie who assist me to perform the phlebotomy.a

Clinic staffs, Mardinah & Fern who help Dr Noor in the medical check-upa

Blood pressure measurement by Fern

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Weight & Height measurement, eye examination by Mardinah

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Tell you what? Most of the workers cheat in their age, they are actually teenagers (15-17 years old), but age stated in their passports are above 18 years old (which fit the min working age allowed by labor law). You will not hard to noticed that most of them having the same D.O.B. (like 31/01/xx or 01/01/xx) too in the name list given. You see, us Malaysians are actually quite lucky compare to those teenagers from other neighbour countries (e.g Indonesia), we are still under education & free from heavy works at this age range, unless you are one of the minority un-lucky group(s) or you choose to do so by your own desire.

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Only those who past the medical check-up can stay & work in local, or else they will be sent back to the place of origin. Normally the full medical check-up includes the following:

1. Physical check-up by doctor

2. Weight & height measurement

3. Blood pressure measurement

4. Eye examination

5. X-ray (screening for TB)

6. Blood screening (HIV I & II Screening, HBsAg, VDRL, Malaria Parasite, Urine Morphine & Carnabinoid screening, Urine Examination, and UPT for female only)

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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~ Today is a special day for me, ya is my 29th birthday! Im on one day of replacement leave to rest at home and accompany Fern, who having off day today too.

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~ Are you going to employ a foreigner as house maid to do housekeeping or look after your childs. I have some advice here, but not now; I'll post it in another entry within this month. Please do follow up closely. Thanks ya... :)

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