My bad experience with first job in OZ
Apr 5th 2004, 12:11 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 114
My bad experience with first job in OZ
Well after being so delighted to find my first job less than a week after getting my residency granted it all pretty much went downhill after that!
The company I was working for in the city was strange to say the least, they are a serviced office specialist and I was employed as a receptionist answering calls for over 300 different comapanies.
From day one I realised that they were a bit weird, I got told off for drinking my diet coke from the bottle and not from a glass, for not reapplying my lipstick often enough (i'm not kidding!), for wearing a bobble in my hair that wasn't covered with an accessory, for drinking my tea from a mug and not a cup, for leaving a soft drink can on my desk,the list goes on. Unfortunately that was nicely topped with a bit of discrimination due to me not being australian. My northern Irish accent didn't go down very well with them as they didn't like the way I pronounced my words. They constantly critiscised me for not smiling enough when in fact I was walking round with a permanent grin plastered to my face.
We had to be in the office no later than 7.55am even though we didn't get paid until 8.30am.
I got really ill with all the constant critiscims and remarks about my accent, It got to the stage were I was in tears every evening when I got home. Last monday I emailed them to resign, and subsequently they took 5 days of my pay for not giving them the contractual notice of one week, I explained to them that I couldn't as I was ill but they won't give me the money, Is this legal?
On the positive side I started a new job today and the place seems really nice, relaxed and informal. The complete opposite to my first job.
The company I was working for in the city was strange to say the least, they are a serviced office specialist and I was employed as a receptionist answering calls for over 300 different comapanies.
From day one I realised that they were a bit weird, I got told off for drinking my diet coke from the bottle and not from a glass, for not reapplying my lipstick often enough (i'm not kidding!), for wearing a bobble in my hair that wasn't covered with an accessory, for drinking my tea from a mug and not a cup, for leaving a soft drink can on my desk,the list goes on. Unfortunately that was nicely topped with a bit of discrimination due to me not being australian. My northern Irish accent didn't go down very well with them as they didn't like the way I pronounced my words. They constantly critiscised me for not smiling enough when in fact I was walking round with a permanent grin plastered to my face.
We had to be in the office no later than 7.55am even though we didn't get paid until 8.30am.
I got really ill with all the constant critiscims and remarks about my accent, It got to the stage were I was in tears every evening when I got home. Last monday I emailed them to resign, and subsequently they took 5 days of my pay for not giving them the contractual notice of one week, I explained to them that I couldn't as I was ill but they won't give me the money, Is this legal?
On the positive side I started a new job today and the place seems really nice, relaxed and informal. The complete opposite to my first job.
Apr 5th 2004, 12:13 pm
#2
She's a bird, you know
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 7,655
Blimey Lany - sounds like they have probably broken all kinds of disrimination laws there.
Good luck with the job hunt - it can only get better, I'm sure.
Good luck with the job hunt - it can only get better, I'm sure.
Apr 5th 2004, 12:14 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: My bad experience with first job in OZ
Originally posted by Lany
Well after being so delighted to find my first job less than a week after getting my residency granted it all pretty much went downhill after that!
The company I was working for in the city was strange to say the least, they are a serviced office specialist and I was employed as a receptionist answering calls for over 300 different comapanies.
From day one I realised that they were a bit weird, I got told off for drinking my diet coke from the bottle and not from a glass, for not reapplying my lipstick often enough (i'm not kidding!), for wearing a bobble in my hair that wasn't covered with an accessory, for drinking my tea from a mug and not a cup, for leaving a soft drink can on my desk,the list goes on. Unfortunately that was nicely topped with a bit of discrimination due to me not being australian. My northern Irish accent didn't go down very well with them as they didn't like the way I pronounced my words. They constantly critiscised me for not smiling enough when in fact I was walking round with a permanent grin plastered to my face.
We had to be in the office no later than 7.55am even though we didn't get paid until 8.30am.
I got really ill with all the constant critiscims and remarks about my accent, It got to the stage were I was in tears every evening when I got home. Last monday I emailed them to resign, and subsequently they took 5 days of my pay for not giving them the contractual notice of one week, I explained to them that I couldn't as I was ill but they won't give me the money, Is this legal?
On the positive side I started a new job today and the place seems really nice, relaxed and informal. The complete opposite to my first job.
Well after being so delighted to find my first job less than a week after getting my residency granted it all pretty much went downhill after that!
The company I was working for in the city was strange to say the least, they are a serviced office specialist and I was employed as a receptionist answering calls for over 300 different comapanies.
From day one I realised that they were a bit weird, I got told off for drinking my diet coke from the bottle and not from a glass, for not reapplying my lipstick often enough (i'm not kidding!), for wearing a bobble in my hair that wasn't covered with an accessory, for drinking my tea from a mug and not a cup, for leaving a soft drink can on my desk,the list goes on. Unfortunately that was nicely topped with a bit of discrimination due to me not being australian. My northern Irish accent didn't go down very well with them as they didn't like the way I pronounced my words. They constantly critiscised me for not smiling enough when in fact I was walking round with a permanent grin plastered to my face.
We had to be in the office no later than 7.55am even though we didn't get paid until 8.30am.
I got really ill with all the constant critiscims and remarks about my accent, It got to the stage were I was in tears every evening when I got home. Last monday I emailed them to resign, and subsequently they took 5 days of my pay for not giving them the contractual notice of one week, I explained to them that I couldn't as I was ill but they won't give me the money, Is this legal?
On the positive side I started a new job today and the place seems really nice, relaxed and informal. The complete opposite to my first job.
Pleased to hear bout 2nd job
Put it down to experience and toast yourself for overall success
Phoenixuk2oz
Apr 5th 2004, 12:20 pm
#4
Dutch expat/Aus citizen
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: South East, Perth (was Holland)
Posts: 5,789
OMG! 
Poor you! That all sounds really terrible!
Hope the new job stays good, congratulations
Poor you! That all sounds really terrible!Hope the new job stays good, congratulations
Apr 5th 2004, 12:22 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 49
Oh Lany......how horrid.
Im glad you found somewhere great now.
I have been very lucky and got a job after 4 weeks but while i was waiting to here back from the interview i had a call from another agency offering me a temp job, when (with the backing of my hubby) I declined saying i was very positive about the Perm job and i would risk missing out on the temp, she got very angry and rude - she told me i should be very gratefull as a person new to the country she was willing to offer me anything!!!
I got the other job by the way - and im just so glad i didnt end up working for her!
Good Luck
HBxx
Im glad you found somewhere great now.
I have been very lucky and got a job after 4 weeks but while i was waiting to here back from the interview i had a call from another agency offering me a temp job, when (with the backing of my hubby) I declined saying i was very positive about the Perm job and i would risk missing out on the temp, she got very angry and rude - she told me i should be very gratefull as a person new to the country she was willing to offer me anything!!!
I got the other job by the way - and im just so glad i didnt end up working for her!
Good Luck
HBxx
Apr 5th 2004, 1:19 pm
#6
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Hi
This thread demonstrates the real problems people can face when trying to get a decent job in another country.There have been similar posts in the past but they are not what people want to hear.
It is not easy to adapt to different ways of working especially when you are well qualified yet find yourself in a junior position ,often poorly paid and also a foreigner!(that's what you are).
Many posters suggest they will happily do any work once they have their visa.
I suggest it is not that easy and is where many people come unstuck.
Work is a major factor in anyone's life and problems like this need to be taken very seriously if migration is to be successful.
Anyway Lany hope the new job works out OK
Best wishes
G
This thread demonstrates the real problems people can face when trying to get a decent job in another country.There have been similar posts in the past but they are not what people want to hear.
It is not easy to adapt to different ways of working especially when you are well qualified yet find yourself in a junior position ,often poorly paid and also a foreigner!(that's what you are).
Many posters suggest they will happily do any work once they have their visa.
I suggest it is not that easy and is where many people come unstuck.
Work is a major factor in anyone's life and problems like this need to be taken very seriously if migration is to be successful.
Anyway Lany hope the new job works out OK
Best wishes
G
Apr 5th 2004, 1:34 pm
#7
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Hope the new one is better Lany; even my place isn't that bad - though they do have funny habits. I am an outsider because (for example)-
-I won't take 45 minute "morning tea" breaks,
-I won't join the "morning tea cake fund" - Fridays this woman buys stodgy cake, and everyone pays $2.50 for a slice......I know the cake costs her about $3 so she's on a fat profit!
-I use a tea-spoon to stir my coffee instead of something that looks like a wooden lolly-stick
-I asked if there was a key so I could lock my desk to stop the other staff helping themselves to stuff from my drawers
However, its a job, it'll do till I get a better one, and if I was emigrating all over again I would still be prepared to take any job (within reason!!) in order to get cash and get started. And if I'm honest, I never expected my first fulltime job here to be all sweetness and light, I did expect it to be a stop-gap.
People just need to be prepared - as Grayling just said, we are the foreigners, and we have to adapt. Be aware of that, and you'll cope. And remember the old adage - its easier to find a job when you're in a job.......even if the one you are in is a pile of p**!
-I won't take 45 minute "morning tea" breaks,
-I won't join the "morning tea cake fund" - Fridays this woman buys stodgy cake, and everyone pays $2.50 for a slice......I know the cake costs her about $3 so she's on a fat profit!
-I use a tea-spoon to stir my coffee instead of something that looks like a wooden lolly-stick
-I asked if there was a key so I could lock my desk to stop the other staff helping themselves to stuff from my drawers
However, its a job, it'll do till I get a better one, and if I was emigrating all over again I would still be prepared to take any job (within reason!!) in order to get cash and get started. And if I'm honest, I never expected my first fulltime job here to be all sweetness and light, I did expect it to be a stop-gap.
People just need to be prepared - as Grayling just said, we are the foreigners, and we have to adapt. Be aware of that, and you'll cope. And remember the old adage - its easier to find a job when you're in a job.......even if the one you are in is a pile of p**!
Apr 6th 2004, 12:56 am
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
I think i actually know the company that you are talking about. I have a friend who worked there a while ago who went through the same issues, and said that it was a horrible place to work. They also had a thing about wearing closed in office shoes, no heels or toes to be exposed!
From what she tells me the company is like that with most employees, not just because you are not australian.
But good to see you have gotten employment elsewhere now anyway!!
From what she tells me the company is like that with most employees, not just because you are not australian.
But good to see you have gotten employment elsewhere now anyway!!
Apr 6th 2004, 1:27 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Down the road, that's where I'll always be
Posts: 467
There was a story recently in the Melbourne media where girls at a jeans store were force to wear tiny t-shirts in the store. The t-shirts also carried words to the effect of 'Don't pretend you don't want me..'.
One girl complained and was sent home because a company memo had dictacted, 'No t-shirt, no work'.
After this story was exposed the jeans store has been forced into a rethink..........
One girl complained and was sent home because a company memo had dictacted, 'No t-shirt, no work'.
After this story was exposed the jeans store has been forced into a rethink..........
Apr 6th 2004, 1:34 am
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Sydney NSW
Posts: 30
Dear Lany
Everything for a reason and the way I see it you were not meant to get the first job because now a better one is there for you! Strange they didnt know you had an Irish accent when you had the interview! I believe they were allowed to deduct money in lieu of you not giving notice - stinks I know - but you're better off now you no longer work there. Sounds like someone should be putting them in to some sort of workers relations organisation.
Good luck now
Carol
Everything for a reason and the way I see it you were not meant to get the first job because now a better one is there for you! Strange they didnt know you had an Irish accent when you had the interview! I believe they were allowed to deduct money in lieu of you not giving notice - stinks I know - but you're better off now you no longer work there. Sounds like someone should be putting them in to some sort of workers relations organisation.
Good luck now
Carol
Apr 6th 2004, 3:57 am
#11
too busy to work members
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Tahmoor NSW - Southern Highlands
Posts: 1,385
Hi Polly
As usual you d walk a lot of sense.
As regards temp jobs What sport of agencies are there here, is there much choice - you know how many there were in UK and I was always happy with Kelly's
I should think about getting some gainful employment soon - even if it is only to get away from having to explain what I am doing and where I am going all the time. The quicker Colin gets some work also the better then I get my freedon back.
How long does it take to get used to the retirement thing and being under each others feet????
As usual you d walk a lot of sense.
As regards temp jobs What sport of agencies are there here, is there much choice - you know how many there were in UK and I was always happy with Kelly's
I should think about getting some gainful employment soon - even if it is only to get away from having to explain what I am doing and where I am going all the time. The quicker Colin gets some work also the better then I get my freedon back.
How long does it take to get used to the retirement thing and being under each others feet????
Apr 6th 2004, 6:32 am
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 28
Originally posted by young_lad
There was a story recently in the Melbourne media where girls at a jeans store were force to wear tiny t-shirts in the store. The t-shirts also carried words to the effect of 'Don't pretend you don't want me..'.
One girl complained and was sent home because a company memo had dictacted, 'No t-shirt, no work'.
After this story was exposed the jeans store has been forced into a rethink..........
There was a story recently in the Melbourne media where girls at a jeans store were force to wear tiny t-shirts in the store. The t-shirts also carried words to the effect of 'Don't pretend you don't want me..'.
One girl complained and was sent home because a company memo had dictacted, 'No t-shirt, no work'.
After this story was exposed the jeans store has been forced into a rethink..........
get this... she proceeded to wear it on every TV show she went on and was wearing it when photographed in The Australian newspaper. So much for not wanting to be seen in it.
My sceptic partner things she is after a modelling job, or an offer from Ralph as she is pretty well-endowed. Surely if someone was that offered you would not be seen dead in it!
Apr 6th 2004, 6:50 am
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Far away from canned Oz
Posts: 1,833
Originally posted by Grayling
Hi
Work is a major factor in anyone's life and problems like this need to be taken very seriously if migration is to be successful.
Anyway Lany hope the new job works out OK
Best wishes
G
Hi
Work is a major factor in anyone's life and problems like this need to be taken very seriously if migration is to be successful.
Anyway Lany hope the new job works out OK
Best wishes
G
Apr 6th 2004, 7:02 am
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Perth, Jnr is back!
Posts: 1,286
:scared:
Horrendous experience Lany, good wishes for this one.
Horrendous experience Lany, good wishes for this one.
Apr 6th 2004, 12:56 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
very weird. very weird.
I recall being in junior jobs in the UK and being made to feel strange. It was in the Job Centre of all places.. It is hard work being a 'junior' anywhere I reckon.
I recall being lectured by junior managers about petty things. eg. things that I was trying not to laugh about. ("your joking, yeah? You're not?") As soon as they realised I had a fair amount of experience they would squirm and try to get out of it. Or the head honchos would say "mate forget about them".
The higher up the job ladder you go, the more 'adult' people seem to be, ie. you turn up, do the job, how you do the little things is up to you.
BM
I recall being in junior jobs in the UK and being made to feel strange. It was in the Job Centre of all places.. It is hard work being a 'junior' anywhere I reckon.
I recall being lectured by junior managers about petty things. eg. things that I was trying not to laugh about. ("your joking, yeah? You're not?") As soon as they realised I had a fair amount of experience they would squirm and try to get out of it. Or the head honchos would say "mate forget about them".
The higher up the job ladder you go, the more 'adult' people seem to be, ie. you turn up, do the job, how you do the little things is up to you.
BM
Last edited by badgersmount; Apr 6th 2004 at 1:01 pm.