Bullet dodged

 Interviewed for a post at the current Centre I tutor on contract for. It was for an Admin post as the current Admin is leaving. 

So the lady I interview with on virtual call tells me I'd be a Centre manager, not Admin clerk. OK, that's awesome. And base rate this much, upon confirmation there'll be an increment of 250. Working hours at Centre is so and so, parking allowance for the month because parking in that particular area is very difficult (it really is), there's traveling allowance if they need me to travel between schools and there's a monthly meal allowance of 50. That's fine.

Oh, and in passing, the Admin was told to leave cause she made too many mistakes. Which is fair, cause that happens but maybe not the best thing to share with me...? Should have seen the flags but... Eh, I mean, sometimes people overshare.

If I'm interested, there'll be a physical interview the coming week. Let her know. I'm like OK, let me get back to you. 

Discuss it and... Yeah, hours are pretty long, but it's a decent opportunity. Compensation is... OK but lower than my last full time gig. Still, they said they'd be an increment after confirmation and there should be incentive based on headcount numbers, the table they won't show me yet. OK. Let's try.

I send a message saying I'm interested, she arranged for a physical interview. I'm hyped the night before. 

Woke up the day of with a throbing headache. Hardly ever happens. I get neck pains and back pains, but headaches? That's really weird. My hair also looks like crap. OK. It's rebellious hair day. Never mind, I'll use a hairband.

Get to the place early cause you know, morning freaking rush hour and it's in Shah Alam. Sigh. 

Get told to wait. Yup, no prob. I'm the one early to begin with. 

Sit down and there's her mum in the room. Hi, nice to meet you. Family run business after all.

Give me contract, but no time to read through properly. Runs through some parts. OK. I look and listen.

Um, you said PH is 16 but the contract onoy lists 11. 

She explains compulsory days are separate and shows me the calendar year. And I'm like... OK. But compulsory days are still PH. Can you add that in to the clause? 

Also, I don't see the promised increment anywhere in the offer.

She explains that they don't do that. 

? _ ?

And the allowances you mentioned...? Not in black and white. 

The incentive table? Oh, we won't show you that now. Let's do that later. Also, job scope will be later too. 

Also, medical card is at one panel only in Subang Jaya. If you need an MC, you can go to a clinic near you but no compensation for medical claim. 

I'm thinking, OK, let me read this in detail in a peaceful environment so I can digest it. I'll talk with you later.

Bye, bye, smile, wave. 

Head home, read contract, note down lots of notes.

1. I want the increment to be in black and white, please. You have the right to extend probationary period and if all else fails, just terminate, so there shouldn't be an issue with having a verbal promise backed up on paper.

2. I need the allowances to be listed down. Traveling claims turns out to be fixed, and parking claim you suddenly mentioned examples that seem very specific to the building. I think all job related parkingclaims should fly, right? 

3. Working hours increased verbally cause Centre hours are Centre hours. Training on a weekly or biweekly basis taht starts earlier is separate. 

4. No mention of length of break time. Those hours are long. There should be mandatory break time. Which the Admin whispered to me as an aside and I have also observed in person, is eating at the desk while you continue to work.

5. I can't help it if an emergency injury happens, so I'll need that to be added to the clause please. Otherwise, I can't guarantee 5hrs prior notice of sick leave. I mean, I'd rather not have it happen, but I can't control if, for example, a car accident happens. 

6. I do teach privately outside on jy own. Not your students, not your database. So I need written consent for that please. 

No problem? I understand, but your clause says no, no, bad, bad, unless with written consent. 

7. Yeah, the start date and PH days need to be amended as you mentioned earlier in the day. 

8. Sorry, why can I not discuss my employment even after I have left the company? Oh, the way the Centre is run? Yeah, that's understandable. But my contract has nothing to do with intellectual property. 

It's a lot of stuff to take in? I understand. But I'd like it to be in writing so we're all on the same page. 

And in my head: Why is the contract written with bulletpoints and sub bullet points instead of numerical and alpha clauses? It makes referring to them almost impossible. 

And now I have a bad feeling about this place. Like, holy crap, this is legit scary. 

OK. Maybe I shouldn't. I need to come up with something to save face and be like, sorry, can't. Let's wait a bit until the afternoon the next day.

Mana tau, the next morning, they send me a text being like, let's put the position on hold.

I'm wiping my sweat off and breathing again. Yup, no worries, all the best. Hope you find a good fit :) 

Oh, thank God.