Call for help.

Dear Reader

Sorry for the lack of updates recently.

I finally found some time off a busy schedule the past couple of months to pen (type?) down some thoughts, and I felt I needed to share what’s been on my mind.

Those people who know me personally would know that I used to be a consultant at an executive search agency. I probably represented the most mercenary of all creatures who walk the face of the corporate world, and I do admit, I was having a good time while I was still in the business, money-wise.

Up until some close friends of mine got retrenched, and then I realized I lacked the capacity to help them even though I thought I was a top biller in my industry, did it strike me that perhaps I had let the mercenary part of the business get the better of me. I could have been using my networks and contacts to be doing something more meaningful to help others, but I guess being selfish, and wanting to be comfortable myself, it didn’t occur to me that I could have used the skills that I picked up professionally to help those in need.

For the past months since March 2010 (last recorded activity here on Sponsor a Job), I joined another headhunting firm, and recently I decided to quit for good. It may sound crazy, but after 5 years of being a gun for hire, I decided to quit an industry where I was adept at and making good money—because honestly I am getting sick of what I was becoming.

I’ll be starting a new business venture in the media industry soon, and at the same time, I would like to make Sponsor a Job a more active venture than a passive cry for assistance.

Which brings me to my next point. I’m wondering if there are people out there who believe in what I hope to do and achieve with Sponsor a Job, and if anyone would be keen to join me on this little mission. Ultimately, I am a one-man band, but I think having more on board would mean we can make that little difference.

I am still pretty much a one-man crusade. I need more people to believe in what Sponsor a Job can do, and come on board to help me achieve the vision of helping those in need seek gainful employment—without asking anything in return.

Granted, I may not be able to garner a large team to help me on this, but even if it is just one or two individuals who are willing, I think it’s a good start, and I welcome anyone to join me in this.

If you are keen to be part of Sponsor a Job, please write me at roy.phang@yahoo.co.uk.

Everything else, I hope that 6 months down the road, Sponsor a Job can become a credible platform to help fellow Singaporeans in their quest for finding jobs in an increasingly crowded job market.

Sincerely,

R.P.

Dispute resolution process to be put in place for mid-level professionals

[Source: ChannelNewsAsia]

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will introduce an employment dispute resolution process to help junior and mid-level professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) earning up to S$4,500 and their employers address common employment issues.

These include salary arrears, retrenchment benefit payment and other employment-related contractual issues.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Tuesday this process will be in place next year.

Speaking at an industry conference, he said that as their representation in the workforce grows, more PMEs may face employment-related issues. They now form more than half of the local workforce, up from around 40 per cent a decade ago.

The dispute resolution process would primarily involve the use of mediation. It will ride on the existing tripartite partnership with the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

Explaining the process, Mr Gan said MOM would lead the mediation session, with the support of SNEF and NTUC.

PMEs who are union members, but are not eligible for collective bargaining or limited representation, may make use of this proposed mediation process.

If the dispute cannot be resolved through mediation, the PME employee may pursue his claims through the civil courts. In addition, he may refer disputes on salary claims for adjudication by MOM.

Mr Gan said the setting up of this new dispute resolution process will help save PMEs and their employers the cost of going through the civil court route by giving them the opportunity to mediate at an early stage, with assistance from tripartite partners.

Through this tripartite partnership approach, MOM believes that many of such disputes could be resolved amicably.

The exact details are currently being worked out in consultation with the tripartite partners.

Employers say a quick way to resolve disputes is necessary.

“Salary disputes and retrenchment disputes, all these are money issues,” said Stephen Lee, president of SNEF. “If you can settle it quickly, and you can just get on with life, rather than have it protracted. And some of these sums are not really big enough for the PMEs to want to take it to court and hire a lawyer.”

The ministry is expecting the revised dispute resolution process to benefit more than 500,000, or half of all PMEs in the workforce as well as their employers.

Mr Gan also raised the issue of productivity. To address low productivity growth, he said companies must find innovative ways of delivering higher value products and services, redesign their systems for greater efficiency, invest in technology and train their workers.

Finance Administrator (Contract position)

Local bank seeking individuals for position of Finance Administrator (Contract)

• Finance and admin co-ordination
• To support division in downloading of reports and collation of templates
• 6 – 8 months contract, available immediately
• Work hours from 9am to 6.30pm
• Skills – Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, Access data base (preferably)
• A-level, polytechnic students welcome

To apply, please forward CV to adeline@thomas-j.com