Weird job interview!

[jbanya 19]

I can understand that feeling of missing things you used to have. My husband goes through these emotions, especially when something doesn't go right here, where he just feels like everything was so much better for him back home (and personally I would like to move to his country myself because I enjoyed the slower pace of life).

It makes me sad to think that he came here for me and gave up a lot of things. However, it isn't good to keep feeling sad about that. Then I also think that he came here because he gained something he didn't have there. It might not be something tangible, like a swimming pool , but something more abstract like seeing life more clearly, because when people haven't been somewhere else, they tend to look at other places with rose colored glasses and are always looking for greener pastures and it takes leaving home to find out there aren't greener pastures. They say, wherever you go, there you are. Ultimately, we have to deal with the dissatisfaction within ourselves and find peace wherever we are.

I feel bad sometime when I know he have hard feeling about my complaint, he feel guilty too, especially when I suggested to back to my home-country to give birth our baby (I'm in my 25th Weeks pregnant). Everything is so easy and simple there and living expenses VERY CHEAP, you don't find any problem to raise up 3 or 4 kids (people in cities may only have 2 kids because they look for QUALITY LIFESTYLE), and I myself come from a family size 10 members with 7 siblings, a big family. (Imagine childbirth only RM5 for 1 or 2 nights stay + consultant & medication at that time (all expenses below $2 for childbirth))...

Hubby worry that I'm not coming back if I back to my home-country, and we have some argument on this too.

Seriously I really love him, and I don't want to see him feel sad again because I can't fit to the environment and lifestyle here. I really enjoy my life in Malaysia, with a stable job, reasonable paid, happy family... I know I need to sacrifice since I failed to get him a job, and I understand there is no-way to make uturn at this stage.

I hope, and still praying for this, that we able to raise our kids here till they finish their college, then we can back to my home country for retire, lol... This is the only thing he can promised so far.

[freebiscuit 1]

Sick leave and sick pay is not a 'human right'. Unless regulated by law, it's a matter between the employer and the employee.

Although it's a rather harsh and counterproductive stance for the employer to take, the hiring manager was at least telling you clearly what that employer's expectations are. If you are uncomfortable with that (and you expect to walk into a job where you will be paid for disappearing several times a year), then I think you should look for a position elsewhere.

And possibly the U.S. employment market is not the place for you, and you should consider returning to Europe.

[BaronB 42]

Things work differently in the US compared to most first world countries when it comes to labour law. Basically everything is stacked in favour of the employer and not the employee. Unless sick leave is included as a benefit in your contract you are not entitled to it. Sounds illegal? Well not really, your employer will just find a reason to fire you if you get sick all the time. Yes you can sue but that is very expensive and time consuming.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Back in January, I went to a job interview at Hampton Inn, in the city where I currently live.

The manager who interviewed me, before asking me any questions, said that at this job I will NEVER be allowed to become sick, not even one day. She warned me if only one time I call out, I don't need to come back to work, I will be immediately terminated!

I listened to her in shock. I had a very calm expression while listening. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She said she is making her own rules there and no one is ever allowed to become sick.

Is this possible? I'm from Europe and I have never heard someone talk this way. In Europe if you become sick you can stay home to recover and you get paid for that! And if you're sick a few times a year, that's ok, no problem. I'm in shock when I look at the American system.

Where are the human rights coming in here? Maybe in America you are not entitled to anything...maybe they are against human rights?

I didn't feel like I want to have that job.

The benefits given for a job will vary from company to company. There is government regulation but nothing like what you are used to in many parts of Europe.

Hampton-inns seem to have different policies at different hotels (you can google for the employee handbooks) - most seem to use a CTO to combine sick leave and vacation. I think what you were experiencing here is a very bad manager or a manager having a very bad day..

[Póg mo 1,749]

It's heaven if you're happy with up to half of your salary being taken in taxes and social.

I don't know, some people here in the US do fantastically well, while others are much worse off than Europeans doing very similar work. Taxes are less, but healthcare and education are also so much less expensive in Europe. I just don't buy the argument that Americans are better off because taxes are lower. Swings and round abouts really.

[Cam54 84]

I cant say I notice lower taxes in the US because everything seems more expensive here. Going from the Uk with atleast 4 weeks paid vacation in even in the most basic jobs, paid sick leave and paid maternity leave to 1 week a year and no maternity or sick leave is a real culture shock. I cant even comprehend how I will ever afford to have children which is sad. Before anyone else pipes in with "well why did you move here" they need to realize that the huge patriotism of the US and the propaganda of the 'American Dream' being pumped out from the US gives you a highly distorted view of life here before you get here. I moved here to be with the man I loved assuming that as a first world nation thered be certain employment rights and that itd be easy to achieve a basic standard of living but unfortunately all ive seen are drastic wage differences between jobs and even two people doing the same job with same company can earn vastly different amounts.

[JCV 5]

I worked in a hotel in the USA for a year, and they don't give sick pay to frontline employees, it is the hospitality industry... it has the highest rates of turnover of any industry, always will be. Standards are a lot better in the UK though.

[vatten 1]

Cam54,

I totally AGREE with everything you wrote. I think the same.

[minions2 24]

Not even FMLA? which is a law, they cant reprimand you on that

[Expat1 971]

Back in January, I went to a job interview at Hampton Inn, in the city where I currently live.

The manager who interviewed me, before asking me any questions, said that at this job I will NEVER be allowed to become sick, not even one day. She warned me if only one time I call out, I don't need to come back to work, I will be immediately terminated!

I listened to her in shock. I had a very calm expression while listening. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She said she is making her own rules there and no one is ever allowed to become sick.

Is this possible? I'm from Europe and I have never heard someone talk this way. In Europe if you become sick you can stay home to recover and you get paid for that! And if you're sick a few times a year, that's ok, no problem. I'm in shock when I look at the American system.

Where are the human rights coming in here? Maybe in America you are not entitled to anything...maybe they are against human rights?

I didn't feel like I want to have that job.

http://www.hiltonworldwide.com/contact-us/

I believe I would make a call and have him or her skewered. That's just me though.

Edited July 4, 2015 by Expat1

[Expat1 971]

I worked in a hotel in the USA for a year, and they don't give sick pay to frontline employees, it is the hospitality industry... it has the highest rates of turnover of any industry, always will be. Standards are a lot better in the UK though.

Sick pay has nothing to do with not being allowed to call in sick. geeze