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Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/ email sam@befrienders.org.my/ befrienders centres in malaysia).
Dear Thelma,
About five months ago, I started a new job that seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. The job description and interviews painted a picture of growth, support, and responsibility. It seemed like a great fit, and I was excited to begin.
However, reality has turned out to be quite different. The role I was hired for doesn’t resemble what I’m doing day-to-day. Worse, I haven't received any meaningful training, despite being promised that I would.
I’m struggling to keep up because no one seems interested in helping me succeed. It feels like I've been thrown into the deep end without a life jacket, and every day is becoming more stressful.
To make matters worse, I haven’t been paid in the past two months. Each time I enquire, I’m met with vague excuses, but no money hits my account. I’m at a loss about what to do.
I feel stuck – it's only been five months, and I hate the idea of job-hopping, but I also can’t continue in a situation where I’m not getting paid or supported.
What should I do? Should I stick it out and hope things improve, or is it time to move on? I’d really appreciate your advice.
Disillusioned and Stuck
I’m so sorry to hear this. Companies that don’t pay their workers properly and on time are an absolute disgrace. There’s one bright bit of news: companies are compelled by law to pay your wages in full and on time.
Your company is breaking the law and so you can report them.
As Thelma is not a lawyer, you need a proper legal advisor to talk you through this. I suggest two options.
First, contact the MCA centre (tel: 03-2203 3888 or browse https://mca.org.my) and ask to be put through to their legal advisory centre. Alternatively, go to your local Bar Council and ask for their free legal advice service. To find them, visit https://www.malaysianbar.org.my or google up bar council plus your state.
Now, about the emotions that are involved. You were delighted to land a job. That’s not surprising because it is so difficult these days to find employment. Even entry level work now often involves several interviews, each of which costs at least time if not money in terms of travel expenses.
Therefore, looking for work is considerable investment. This leads to sunk cost bias where we become overly influenced by the how much we have already invested to the point where we continue even when it's no longer rational.
You invested in finding this job and it paid off for a few months in that you had a revenue stream. That has led to you now overlooking some serious red flags.
Let me ask you this: Would you hire a cleaning service, knowing that you could not pay for it? Or would you order a meal in a restaurant, knowing you had no funds?
You wouldn’t, right? Because it would be dishonest!
Your company knows exactly how much money they have and they decided they are OK with you working for free. Not for a day, not for a weekend but for two long months. That tells you they are dishonest. The kind of dishonest that you don’t want to be around.
Get legal advice first, because you may need to follow certain rules before you can sue them for your money. But the second you have it, or that your lawyer says you can, leave.
You need a job working for honest people who pay their bills (you!) on time.
It will be a wrench but please consider this: You were honest in your dealings, exchanging work for money. You were cheated and that’s shame on them, not shame on you.
Also, if you can find one job, you will find another.
Start by touching base with everyone you interviewed with in the two months before you got this job. Sometimes companies hire a person who is not a good fit and they part company six months later. Then, rather than interview again from scratch, they may be happy to revisit one of the original applicants.
Hopefully, you can pick up a happier position quickly. If not, then hold your head high, apply for new positions available, and consider this a story you can tell to your juniors one day.
Good luck and know I’m wishing you all the best.
