The Fly: An Employee's Essay on Corporate Journey
#NoToABSCBNShutdown #LabanKapamilya are (or have been) trending hashtags these days on different social media platforms and even in Google search. Many of the company’s artists showed their outrage by ridiculing the government bodies involved. The people in the government were also criticized by many citizens for “washing hands” about the issues thrown. Investigation is ongoing and the pandemic might delay the outcome.
I do not know the facts behind this chaos, but I’ve heard the problem began a long time ago (even before the presidential election). The citizens of this nation are once again divided because of this problem.
Many are shouting for press freedom to support the company and many are also against biased media. Who must be blamed for this circumstance?
A company is considered a separate entity, but it is not a living thing. It cannot be blamed for whatever mistake done by the people who created it. Let me borrow a legal term to support this. In Latin it is, “El que es causa de la causa es causa del mal causado” and it is translated in English as, “The cause of the cause is the cause of the evil caused”. (Btw, I am just an aspiring corporate lawyer, and did not take a law degree. But some of my relatives are lawyers so I have a little knowledge about Philippine laws.)
Then who must be held responsible?
This essay might broaden the minds of the narrow minded. This is in line with the poem I wrote previously. (Click/touch the colored word "poem" to see)
“To be productive in all undertakings and be an asset to the company.” That is my objective as an employee stated in my resume. I believe that has helped me get calls from the companies where I sent my application. The very first company that I applied to is a worldwide fast food chain. I passed the preliminary tests (online) and was invited for a Skype interview because the company is in Luzon and I am in Mindanao. Unfortunately, I backed out because of fear.
In 2017, I was accepted on a job that I love.
Everyday was a sunny day.
At 5a.m., I wake up, take a bath, brush my teeth, dress up and put on some makeup. Then I look at my notes to see what I must do on that day, leave the room I rented and walk to the carinderia that is a few meters away to eat my breakfast. I want to cook my food but using a stove (electric or not) inside the room is prohibited. After eating, I ride a tricycle to be at the office or just walk if I’m in the mood. That had been my morning routine in September 2017.
Lunch is not that important to me. Sometimes I eat, but most of the time, I skip it. I prefer accomplishing my tasks than eating (and even sleeping), but I have experienced the consequences of not getting enough food and sleep. Rest is needed to be productive. Our body has its limit. Mindset alone cannot help our body rejuvenate.
Most of the time, I left the office at around 7 p.m. Sometimes I stay till 10 p.m. if there's a meeting or other important matters that need immediate action. The company’s CEO treats us dinner at times like that. Most of the time, I eat my dinner at a carinderia near the bus terminal. Only a few carinderia are open or vacant everytime I reach the location. Those with vacant seats have limited viands (mostly are pork) I am prohibited to eat. That made me choose bread and a chocolate drink in a vending machine worth 5 pesos instead.
The terminal is just a few meters away from the room I rented so I just walk to go home (most of the time). In that way, I was able to save some money. I was able to get natural exercise without spending special time and a dime to be healthy.
As a minimum “wage earner”, I have to be a wise spender. My purchasing decisions must be practical and not impulsive because impulse buying is often the reason many poor become poorer.
When I was hired, our verbal agreement was that my salary will be higher than the minimum, but I think the quote, “Life is not like the movies.” is definitely true. A true happy ending is almost impossible to achieve, but I remain optimistic. I work because I love to help.
Money is not the reason I accepted the job. I want to apply what I’ve learned hoping my outputs will produce optimum results for the company and the people. I strived to provide great results in a short period of time because I care. I am aware of the possible negative impacts of mediocre outputs not just to the company, but also to the people involved including the employees like me.
As a company falls, many livelihoods will be lost. Purchasing power decreases, the rate of unemployment increases and more people will line up to get amelioration from the government. The money that must be spent on projects for sustainable development might decrease because of budget cuts to provide for the needs of those displaced workers.
I felt betrayed by the company (specifically the management), but I did not “file a suit” not because I don't have the capacity to do it. I chose not to disclose the name of the company or the people who I think are not abiding by the labor laws because many of the employees there are very dependent on the company. They don’t believe they cannot start anew in a different company because they think they are less capable than others . I see them as my friends and I don’t want them to suffer from the negative effects of a lawsuit.
Even though I was hurt how things ended for me in that company, I still respect my employers. I am not angry and I still care for them. Deep inside, I still wish they would succeed and become the best in all aspects.
In October (my birth month) 2017, sunny days and my daily routine ended.
I chose not to sign the contract handed by the CEO on the day the result of the examination for food safety managers was released. I repaid (in cash) the expenses incurred in that exam and fulfilled all my obligations.
I do not like to work for a company with people I do not trust (anymore). I will give my loyalty to a company run by trustworthy people.
My search is still on.
Honestly, the biggest factor that made me decide not to sign the contract was the command the CEO gave me in the middle of a meeting with the company’s top management and contractors. A fly was able to get in the conference room while I was taking notes of the important matters they were discussing. Then I was asked to get that fly out while they continue talking.
How can I get that fly out without disturbing the meeting? The fly is at the wall near the end of the table while I am sitting at the other end. Time went by while I was thinking how to get rid of that fly without causing noise or distraction and at the same time jotting down important matters discussed. I am also hoping the CEO will realize my feelings towards that command.
Unfortunately, my (former) boss (the CEO) asked, “Have you got rid of that fly?”. That left me stunned for a while and then I got up, and opened the door hoping the fly would see and get out. Then suddenly, the church bell rang that caused everyone to look at me (or the door). I was so ashamed, but I did not falter until I successfully let the fly get out.
That experience makes me laugh today, but when it was still fresh, it actually hurt me. That made me remember the sacrifices I made for that company. Until today, I am still curios,
“What’s the CEO’s intention?”
