My first ever hospital check-up

I’ve never been sickly … even when I was back home.  Though there are times when I feel feverish, a slight back aches, migraine or hyperacidity but it never came to a point wherein I’ll tell myself that I need to see the doctor.  Hence, for the past 2 years my medical insurance was just a decoration in my wallet.  I never imagined myself using the card but a week ago, the record was broken.  I was sick. 

At first, I noticed that I’ve been sneezing more than the ordinary.  That unusual changed of health was ignored for more than a month.  Even though it was already very obvious that something was wrong still I refused to go to the doctor.  Until one day, my back hurts everytime I sneeze.  That alarmed me but I stood my ground. NEVER go to the doctor.  A week passed and the pain was getting worst.  It has now moved from my upper back to my chest.  That did it.  I didn’t even think twice.  I just woke up and told myself: Today I’ll see the doc.

It was my first time.  I don’t have the slightest idea what to do or where to go.  Thankfully though, the hospital personnel in Al Noor Hospital (Khalifa) were very helpful.  The guard told me where to go and when I reached the general admission, the in-charge asked my symptoms and directed me to the internal medicine department.  Upon reaching the right floor, I went to the admission area and they opened a new file for me then asked me to wait for my turn.  It didn’t take long for them to call my turn.  The doctor asked me a few questions, then started the examination.  Just the usual breathe in , breathe out  then she asked me where exactly the pain was.  Then she did a quick breast check for any lumps.

Verdict: Doc told me that I have Allergic Rhinitis which is very common in this part of the world.  As for my chest pain, she concluded that since there was no lumps, it’s probably a sprain.  She gave me my prescriptions and the assistant brought me back to the admission area where I paid my 50 AED share.  Then I went to the pharmacy and purchased the medicines.  She prescribed a nasal spray for 30 days, anti-histamine for 15 days, pain killer for 3 days and a pain killer gel to be applied every 12 hours.  The medicines costs around 200 AED but I didn’t pay even 1 fils.  It was covered by the insurance.  Thank God! 

In summary, my first hospital check-up was good.  Good in a sense that the experience was not traumatic.  No long queue, doctor was good – although she should have asked for further examination like an MRI or X-ray for the chest pain, and lastly, free medicine – you can’t ask for more.  

Sir… Here’s my resignation

It has been a roller coaster week at the office and the ending was the highlight of it all.

On Monday, I was told that I was supposed to be terminated but I was saved.  In exchange, I will be doing tasks that are way beyond my scope of work – procurement.  Yeah, they want me to talk to suppliers regarding crane certifications, manlifts, and all those building materials and machines.  What the hell do I know about that?  By the way, my salary will stay as is because I’ll be given additional tasks (as mention).  Yehey? NOT!  On that same day, I tried to talk to the Manager but he was adamant to my plea to be included in the list.  So, I just shut up and think hard.

On Tuesday, I pretended as if nothing happened.  I continued with my life and my work.  They (managers) thought they had me.  They’re wrong… BIG TIME!  This is what I call “the calm before the storm” phase.  I just sat in that little office doing what I usually do while trying to weigh everything.

On Wednesday, I made my decision.  I don’t have to wait to be terminated – I won’t give them the opportunity to enslave me ever again.  For the record, if they thought they are doing me a favor for not cutting my salary – they’re wrong.  My salary stayed the same since I joined the company and they didn’t even bother to raise it when they added the work of our HR Supervisor to me when she resigned.  Then now, they will tell me that I should be thankful that they didn’t cut it.  WTF!  Another thing, I know I should be flexible in terms of tasks but to handle tasks that are way beyond my scope is insane.  I certainly don’t want to throw my 11 years of HR experience to the bin and become a procurement practitioner – that is not the career path I have envisioned for myself.

On Thursday, I printed my resignation and marched to the Manager’s office early in the morning.  Handed my letter and sat down.  He was shocked.  The reaction on his face was so priceless (I know… I know, I’m mean).  In the course of our conversation, he asked me four questions: (1) Why?  (2) Did you find a job? (3) Why didn’t you discuss this with me first? (4) Don’t you want to work with us anymore?   He also pointed out three things: (1) They shouldn’t have told me about the additional tasks (2) You’ll lose a huge amount if you won’t wait for us to terminate you (3) This is a difficult decision – give me 1 week to think about it and for you to think about it again.

Me?  Here’s my reply.  (1) I’ve been working in HR for 11 years. Hence, I don’t want to work in procurement.  I refuse to accept the tasks.  If that would be the case then I will be unfair to the remaining employees if my salary stays the same and not accept that added responsibility.  That was your main reason why you kept me and my salary, right?  So, to be fair to everyone it is best that I go.  (2) I don’t have any offers yet and if I won’t get any then I’m planning to return to my home country and stay there for a while.  (3) Of course I discussed it with you.  Remember I told you to include me in the list but you didn’t agree?  (4) Let’s just say that I have my reasons why I want to go. (He insisted) It’s not that I don’t want to work with you per se.  I just don’t want to work in a place that I am no longer happy.

As for his three points: (1) First of all, he doesn’t have any idea what is the work of my colleague and he forgot that she is my roommate so I can see everything she’s doing.  He’s wrong – It’s not just 1 email per month and certainly the engineers are relying on her to ask for the quotations while they get the credit for it.  So in my mind I was saying, THANK GOD you told me upfront that that responsibility will be turned over to me.  You made it easier for me to say “I have to move on”.  (2) This I told him: I know I’ll lose a couple of thousands but that’s okay.  The money is not an issue for me. I just want out.  (3) Well, I don’t need 1 week to rethink about this.  This is already final and I won’t be changing my mind (there is a word IRREVOCABLE in my resignation you know).

I know I’m taking a very huge risk on this and it certainly doesn’t help to know that few of my colleagues disagree with my decision.  Perhaps they are right and I may be wrong.  Who knows.  But what I do know is that I feel happier now knowing that I’ll be leaving that toxic environment.  Besides, I’ve come to realize that it is because of fear that we refuse to let go even if it is no longer healthy for us.  That’s why I faced my fear and opened my mind to all the possible consequences of my action.  I may sound brave but I’m actually not.  In fact, I’m still a little scared of my uncertain future.  However, I am hopeful though that everything will fall into place.  It may take time but it will definitely happen.

Terminated? Not! … it sucks big time :-(

As written in my previous blogs, rumors have been going around that there is a list – a termination list.  We’re told that it will come this January.  Surely it did.  On the first working day of 2012.  What an awesome welcome for a New Year!

Anyway, for the past two months, my colleague already informed me that there is a great possibility for me to be terminated.  I prepared myself for the worst.  So prepared that I was having dreams about it this couple of weeks LOL.  Today, he told me that finally the day has arrived.  We’ll know the decision.  He told me again that I’m on the list.  I was both sad and happy at the same time.  Sad ‘coz I might not have a job but happy because this will be the best excuse to leave the company yet get a huge separation pay 😀

He was wrong.

I know I should be happy but I’m upset and disappointed … BIG TIME!  I really don’t want to work with this people anymore especially when they told me that they’ll be adding more responsibility on my plate.  I’ve been working in HR for almost 11 years and now they want me to handle procurement?  What are they thinking?  I don’t have any idea how to do this and I don’t want to learn!  I know I should be flexible especially with this kind of economy but I don’t want to waste my time doing things that is not in line with my career.

Though I may not have a fallback yet but I rather take the risk than to be stuck here.  So, after learning that they’ll be keeping me and everything is as is, I went back and talked to the manager.  Told him that I rather go.  He refused and told me that I should be happy because I’m lucky to have a job… blah blah blah.  I’m not happy and I want out.  He’s not giving it to me.  So, I asked him if they’ll let me go in a week or two if I’ll find another job.  He said they will.  Let’s see.