Probation Period! Need Help! Pls. Options

[fied_]

Hi..

I am totally stressed out by my new job. Seems that there are alot of loopholes in the company. And I really need your help.

I have been working in this company for 6months and I am still under probation. However, my employer said that if I were to tender my post, I will be made to pay the bond. I don't know whether she is just trying to scare us off or it's true. Because when we had a meeting, she never mention anything about paying the bond. She just said that if you want to continue working here, you have to step up the game. To my understanding, when under probation, we are save from the bond and the will only start when we are a confirmed staff.

This is what the contract states:
In consideration of the training you will be bound to the company by a Bond amounting to $... and tenable over a period of ... years. This Bond will take effect upon commencement of your employment with the company. If you terminate the employment before the expiry of the Bond period of ... years, you will be required to pay a pro-rated sum based on the remaining Bond.

I have not gone through any external trainings. Just on the job training. So does that mean I still have to pay the pro-rated bond? If I do not have to pay and my boss still insist on paying, can I argue with her?

I will appreciate if you could get back to me as soon as possible because it seems that the company is trying to play around with the words.

Thank you for you time. Will be looking forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
fied_

[chenchow]

Hi..

I am totally stressed out by my new job. Seems that there are alot of loopholes in the company. And I really need your help.

I have been working in this company for 6months and I am still under probation. However, my employer said that if I were to tender my post, I will be made to pay the bond. I don't know whether she is just trying to scare us off or it's true. Because when we had a meeting, she never mention anything about paying the bond. She just said that if you want to continue working here, you have to step up the game. To my understanding, when under probation, we are save from the bond and the will only start when we are a confirmed staff.

This is what the contract states:
In consideration of the training you will be bound to the company by a Bond amounting to $... and tenable over a period of ... years. This Bond will take effect upon commencement of your employment with the company. If you terminate the employment before the expiry of the Bond period of ... years, you will be required to pay a pro-rated sum based on the remaining Bond.

I have not gone through any external trainings. Just on the job training. So does that mean I still have to pay the pro-rated bond? If I do not have to pay and my boss still insist on paying, can I argue with her?

I will appreciate if you could get back to me as soon as possible because it seems that the company is trying to play around with the words.

Thank you for you time. Will be looking forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
fied_

Hi fied,

This is what I thought. It is my lay man sharing, and not from someone who knows labour law. You might want to refer to Labour Department for more details.

As you showed, it says that the bond takes effect upon commencement of your employment with the company, and hence it would be enforceable since you start work there (and not after you get confirmed).

Perhaps speak to the HR of your firm and get some clarification.

On your performance at work, why not set up an appointment with your supervisor, and get some feedback on your performance. From there, you can improve on it, and check with your supervisor for feedback from time to time.

Any forum members can share with fied?

Good Luck!

[Amit]

1) You need to have a talk with HR and find out the interpretation of the contract

2) If you want to stay on with the company, you need to step up your game, if thats what your boss wants. Schedule a feedback session with your boss and get a very clear idea of what your job objectives are and that your boss expects from you. Start delivering that asap.

3) Think for yourself as well, about what the key requirements are to perform well in your role. Then make an honest assessment of where you stand against each of those requirements and where you need to develop (through training, coaching, reading, attending seminars, trying things on-the-job, etc.)

Good luck!
Amit

Amit Puri │ Managing Consultant
Sandbox Advisors │ Shaping ideal careers
HP : (65) 9722 6135 │ Tel : (65) 6725 6510
www.sandboxadvisors.com