SACKED AND "RESIGNED"
"Rosa" worked for the wife of the managing director of a large shipping company. In a rare case of frankness in such matters she told Rosa that her 18 month old boy was showing her too much affection so she would have to "let her go."
She was terminated at very short notice late in 1989 and given these alternatives: a good reference and no further money, or one month's severance pay and no reference at all. Her employer told her not to tell her husband that she had dismissed her otherwise she would withdraw both "offers."
Rosa took the reference/no money option and managed to find another job. She was allowed to process her papers in Hong Kong but had to return home for her next visa extension.
Although her second employer was at home most of the day she generally left the choice of her child's food to Rosa but then constantly criticised her selections.
Just prior to her "resignation" the employer kept asking Rosa if she was unhappy and wanted to leave, saying that she could resign if she wanted to. Rosa was unhappy but did not want to resign and was frightened of being sacked because she helps to support a family of 8 in the Philippines.
In an argument - that she feels was deliberately instigated by the employer - Rosa, not being able to take any more, did resign. This happened at around 10.30 one morning in mid-September.
Her employer's husband returned home that lunchtime and presented her with a non-endorsable airline ticket to Manila on a plane leaving that same evening at 5.15. and the two week's wages she was owed. Swift work! Or was the husband already on stand-by?
The distraught Rosa could not get her things packed in time so she missed the plane and went to stay with friends who tried to help.
Prospective employers were found and they immediately wrote to the Immigration and Labour Departments requesting an extension to her visa and that she be allowed to process her new contract in Hong Kong and return home for a break around
Christmas.
Both requests were turned down on the grounds that she had resigned and that her former employers had honoured their part of the contract with the air ticket and wages.
2
Appendix B
Page 120Page 121
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.