When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, not only were people’s health at stake. Livelihoods, relationships, hobbies and more were also affected as the pandemic sent the world into lockdown.
One of those people whose job was affected is Hanis, whose story was shared by various media portals.
Hanis was taking home RM7,000 monthly from her job in an oil & gas company when she was retrenched in December 2020 after 10 years there. She received a compensation of RM21,000.
It was difficult because her job and salary have allowed her and her husband to live a comfortable life. They were able to travel, enjoy great food, spend on themselves and their families, buy a house, a car for each of them and were free from the financial burden of raising a child.
Hanis, who is in her 30s, was also thoroughly enjoying her work and good relationships with her colleagues as well as her clients. So naturally, losing the job was a huge blow to her.
“I felt like all my efforts in completing projects and bringing in profits to the company went to waste,” she said.
Nonetheless, Hanis did not give up.
From January to May 2021, she woke up at 4.30am every day to pray and to prepare breakfast and her husband’s lunch, something she never had the time to do previously.
After that, she would turn on her laptop and look for job opportunities.
Becoming a civil servant
After hundreds of job applications and interviews, Hanis finally secured a place in a government agency as a high grade management officer.
The salary she was offered was RM3,500 including allowance (RM2,500 basic salary). That means her basic salary was not even half of her previous salary of RM7,000!
Now, it has been more than a year since Hanis started working at the agency. Although she occasionally feels sad about her low salary and her previous work experience not being acknowledged, she shares some of the positives that have come out of this job switch.
- Employee benefits are amazing and cover both her husband and kids
- Encouraging prospects for bonuses, salary increments and promotions
- A lighter and less stressful work load (although there is a lack of challenge)
- More free time to spend with her husband (“I pack up and leave at 5.30pm”)
- Her boss is more flexible and understanding (except for some staff, especially the old-timers who are more resistant to change and listening to others’ opinions)
- Her mum is happy as she always wanted Hanis to work in the civil service
Come the 2021 year end performance report, Hanis was elated to find out that her boss had given her a high score.
“I brought with me the work culture I had practised from when I was working in a private company. I worked efficiently and orderly, with focus, and always went above and beyond the work I was assigned.”
Ultimately, Hanis says that she is very grateful for her job now. However, she is not one to be complacent.
Hanis just passed her test to be an insurance agent as she wishes to challenge herself, in addition to earning extra pocket money and grow her connections.
WORLD OF BUZZ wishes you all the best, Hanis!
Also read: 32yo M’sian With No Diploma/Degree Shares How He Only Earns RM4,000, Urges Youngsters To Study Hard
