If you are constantly keeping warm with layers of sweaters or plugged in your earphones to keep out the background noises at your office workspace, watch out. You could be having an unhealthy office relationship with your workspace. Check out how the design of your workspace affects the way you work. Infographic: http://ow.ly/zF46t
Yellow ribbon? Give this model employer a golden ribbon for keeping the worker’s job position until the latter was released from prison and speaking up for him when The Straits Times published an old story of the worker’s past wrongdoing, six months after his release.
“The Straits Times wrote a report yesterday about how fake marriages are on the rise.
They talked about one Soh Chin Chai and painted a picture of a criminal.
Now, Soh is now under the employment of Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh. The boss of Soon Huat became very irked at the Straits Times’ report.
The following is a message he posted on Facebook (corrected for grammar):
“Hi all, my name is Jabez Tan – founder of Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh at 302 Simpang Bedok and 548 MacPherson. Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh is a social enterprise with a mission to provide ex-offenders employment opportunities and a new start in life.
I would like to say a few words about the Straits Times article “Web of middle man behind bogus union” discussing Soh Chin Chai and his bogus marriage with a Vietnamese lady.
In November last year (2013), whilst working with us, Chin Chai was summoned to the ICA for investigation surrounding his marriage. Without any hesitation, Chin Chai admitted to his wrong doing and paid the price of 6 months imprisonment. Chin Chai finished his sentence and was released in April 2014.
He returned to work for us at Soon Huat, helming the McPherson outlet as Assistant Manager, a position very important to us.
He is actively involved in community service, such as the Bread of Love (distributing bread to the needy elderly- organized by Hope Church, where he attends).”
Mr. Jabez Tan is disappointed that the Straits Times report failed to have a follow-up story about Soh’s case today and put his staff in such poor light, six months after his release.
The report did not mention any dates and it has caused confusion to readers and distress to Soh’s family.
Jabez added that Soh has received a lot of calls and messages to ask about what was written. The man is now is discouraged and is suffering undue stress over a simple report.
Jabez adds: “Every saint has a past and every criminal has a future. The past is past, we won’t let it hold us bondage. What is the most important is TODAY when we dare to step up n make a change in life for the better. I am so proud of (Soh) Chin Chai.”
Soh responded on Facebook with the following comment:
Twitter’s popularity shot up like COE prices while #facebookdown. Here’s top 10 tweets that you’ve missed during the Facebook apocalypse.
1. Poor boy, we don’t know whether to feel happy or sad for you. Anyway, happy birthday dude!
2. Withdrawal symptoms!! Facebook is an addiction to some.
3. Productivity level: 200%
4. Twitter had their 20 mins of fame.
5. Thank God for phones.
6. You overestimate yourself, dude.
7. It was not…just in India.
8. Seems like it’s a blessing in disguise after all. #humantouch
9. Somebardy gonna get hurt real bad. Somebardy.
10. It doesn’t take a war to bring Singapore down.
Blogger Roy Ngerng just got fired from Tan Tock Seng Hospital for misusing company resources, neglecting his work duties and having improper public conduct. He will be given one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
The man in question has not only gotten himself into a potential legal tussle with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, he is officially jobless too. Somehow, our hearts go out to him for landing himself in such a tragic state.
So Roy has been terminated from the services of Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
The reasons given were:
1.) Misuse of company resources and neglect of work duties
2.) Improper public conduct
Staff are free to pursue their personal interests outside of work, they must conduct themselves properly, honourably and with integrity.
His activities at Hong Lim Park have raised a few eyebrows in this area.
…in particular, they cannot defame someone else without basis, which essentially means knowingly stating a falsehood to the public. Now, Roy has already pleaded apology to the Prime Minister – so essentially, he has already admitted to defamation.
Further than that Roy is widely, and very popularly known for his involvement with TTSH, the proximity of brand is just too close for comfort.
If Roy was perhaps just more careful with his actions, and not as reckless, he could have avoided all this trouble.
Many dissenting individuals work full time jobs in large organisations, even Government organisations and many have had no trouble.
Sylvia Lim for example – she’s an active opposition leader, even sat as Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, and now elected Member of Parliament. She didn’t get herself fired.
Donald Low and Sudhir Vadaketh authors of “Hard Choices” are both employed by the IPSS and the Economist respectively.
Daniel Goh, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore also has no problems with employment. Even speaking fiercely at party rallies at elections.
I think there is a lesson here to be learnt for all of us: it is ok to disagree. It is ok to voice your opinions strongly. It is not ok to take things recklessly.
Mr. Ngerng’s continued disregard of the hospital’s warnings and advice has rendered his employment with TTSH untenable. The hospital has then terminated Mr. Ngerng’s contract with immediate effect.
The hospital has lost a man that… perhaps really did care and was moved to do something for the people around him… but approached it with the wrong intent, the wrong approach and clearly a very dangerous manner.
Roy will be given one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
Source: Five Stars and a Moon
Whenever the Government announces initiatives or new policies to help the low-wage, the sandwich class grumbles. When ministers say Singapore cannot shut the door to foreigners, the sandwich class grumbles their way to Speakers’ Corner.
So we are finally seeing some changes for local PMEs at work and everyone has a slice of the pie. Will the grumblings reduce?
“1. Small Claims Employment Tribunal
This tribunal will benefit PMEs earning above S$4,500, who can currently only pursue breaches of employment through civil suits, which is expensive and time-consuming.
MOM is in consultation with unions to set up a Small Claims Employment Tribunal to help workers be able to lodge claims (with a certain claims limit) for statutory issues in the Employment Act (e.g. salary claims, commissions, bonuses or annual wage supplement payments).
2. Tripartite Mediation Framework
PMEs with executive and/or supervisory functions are currently eligible for tripartite mediation if they:
Tripartite mediation currently covers employment disputes involving:
Unions are in talks with MOM and employers to review the widening of the coverage of the Tripartite Mediation Framework to:
3. Second Skilling
Recently, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay urged the government to give PMEs more support to cultivate a second skill by:
Patrick Tay also turned the spotlight on employers, reminding them that “further increase in productivity with a tightened foreign manpower supply is only possible when their local employees are upgraded in their skills and abilities”.
4. Industrial Relations Act changes
Currently rank and file unions can only represent PMEs on an individual basis.
However, unions have successfully lobbied MOM to review the Industrial Relations Act to allow rank and file unions to represent PMEs collectively, such as retrenchment, re-employment (for older workers) unfair dismissals and salary arrears.
With more unions being able to collectively represent PMEs in future, PMEs will have a higher collective bargaining power together with the union regarding workplace issues.
5. Employment Act changes
On top of salary protection, from 1 April 2014, PMEs earning a basic monthly salary of up to $4,500 are covered under the general provisions of the Employment Act, including sick leave benefits and protection against unfair dismissal.
From 1 April 2015, workers will be eligible for retrenchment benefits if they have worked for their employer for at least two years, down from three years currently.
6. Fair Consideration Framework
Employers are expected to comply with MOM’s Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to have fair employment practices that are merit-based and non-discriminatory.
From 1 August 2014, companies submitting Employment Pass (EP) applications must advertise the job vacancies on the WDA National Jobs Bank. The job advertisements must:
Employers who have been found to have nationality-based or other discriminatory HR practices will face additional scrutiny from MOM and have their work pass privileges curtailed.”
Source: Singapore Business Review
Writer: Adrian Tan
If you’re one of those who mistake parsley for coriander or yam for sweet potato, fret not. You are not alone in this. We have identified 10 types of vegetables that are commonly mistaken by grocery shoppers. So if you are thinking of winning your man’s heart through his stomach (and vice versa), be sure to pick out the right veggies and not malu yourself at a romantic candlelight dinner.
Ok, ready? Here we go!
1. Broccoli vs Cauliflower
Cauliflower is white. Broccoli is green. Based on some amateur cooking experience, broccoli will cook faster than cauliflower.
If you like a simple broccoli dish that tastes fresh, crunchy and cooked,
1.Cut the broccoli into pieces (I prefer the stalk intact with the floret) and wash them thoroughly.
2. Boil the broccoli pieces in water with a pinch of salt (boils faster and the Chinese believes that it brings out the natural flavour of the veggie) and a tablespoon of oil (to keep it smooth).
3. Remove them from the boiling water after 5 minutes of boiling, if you like them crunchy.
4. Drain off any remaining water from the broccoli.
5. Finally, sprinkle some brown sugar on it and it is ready to serve.
2. Carrot vs Radish
There is no such thing as “white carrot”. Carrots are orange – the kind that bunnies eat. Radish are white – the Chinese like to cook them in soups. Both are high in Vitamin A and good for the eyes.
3. Cabbage vs Lettuce
Meet cabbage on your left and lettuce on your right. Cabbage is a lot harder and usually cooked unless you like to eat them raw like the coleslaw way. Lettuce is rather soft and usually eaten raw. They are usually packed in sandwiches, burgers and salads.
Interesting fact? Cabbage is higher in vitamin C and potassium while lettuce is much higher in vitamin A.
4. Yam vs Sweet Potato
Beneath its skin, yam is white with spectrum of purple dots and sweet potato is yellow/orange-ish. Yam is cooked in popular Cantonese dishes. Sweet potato, on the other hand, can be steamed and eaten like a healthy snack. They usually appear in porridge/desserts as well.
5. Coriander vs Parsley
This is the trickiest of the lot. Both look like twins right? Coriander is the one on the left – the leaves are more rounded. They are your “wan sui” also known as Chinese parsley, found on top of your porridge or lor mee. Parsley is on your right – the leaves are sharper. They are your angmoh wansui, usually found in your western dishes as decoration.
Shante.. what again? Who in the world is she??
Local lifestyle blogger, Sara Shantelle Lim held her 27th birthday bash worth $40,000 in sponsorship and.. wait for it.. announces it for the whole world to know on social media. It’s no surprise when netizens started flaming her extravagant party plus the fact that she is not even paying for it.
Ok, to be fair, i have friends who gets stuff sponsored for their weddings, events and parties, but they do not boast about it on social media. So if you want to broadcast to show off your massive sponsorship, just make sure that you are of a stature that’s Xiaxue worthy, aka the “Ah Jie” of all bloggers.
A self-styled luxury blogger is holding her 27th birthday party on Friday (May 30), and it costs a whopping $40,000.
How is she paying for it?
Well, she’s kind of not.
According to her very lengthy press release, blogger Sara Shantelle Lim will be celebrating her 27th in style with the help of some very generous friends and brands, including Jim Beam, Brewerkz, Candylicious Singapore and more.
“Sara Shantelle Lim, co-owner of Luxury Blog: www.sgsisters.com, who is turning 27 years old this year, is having the biggest “Candylicious Neon” themed party in Singapore that costs more than SGD$40,000 worth of sponsorships. It is held at the latest, newest and hottest Club Altimate by 1-Altitude, which is located at 1 Raffles Place. It costs more than SGD$20,000 to book the whole level 61, for her birthday, on Friday, 30 May 2014, from 8-10pm. It is fully sponsored and complimented with their outstanding service staffs, free alcohol mixers, venue hire and sound system.”
The breakdown
She goes on to give an almost itemised list of how much each sponsor is offering for the party –
$5,000 for alcohol from Jim Beam, Auchentoshan, Pinnacle Vodka, “Courvoisiuer” (it’s Courvoisier, darling)
$1,500 worth of beer from Brewerkz,
$1,000 for birthday dress and shoes
$3,000 for “international model/DJ” Nicole Chen to spin at her party
$3,500 for a photobooth in which “her high society guests can take photos with fun props”
$2,000 for flowers
$1,800 for a candy buffet spread
$1,250 for a cake which has three tiers, 20cm wide and weighs 5kg
$3,000 worth of lucky draw prizes
3 diamond rings to be given away for the “Best Dressed Award”
Credit: Asiaone News
How would you like your wedding shoot to be in a supermarket?
Instead of typical backdrops that sometimes have a “durian” or a “ship” in it, this funky couple who dated for 12 years, decided that it was equally romantic to pose with rows of vegetables in the background.
Mr Leong and Ms Goh shopped for junk food in their younger days but as they grew older, they turned to buying cleaning solutions and cooking ingredients instead.
NTUC FairPrice should consider giving them wedding angpaos with FairPrice vouchers for being such loyal customers. #justsaying #WeWantToo
Photo credit: CNA online
Better to be safe than sorry.
Studies have shown that financial crises occur every 7 years or so.
Remember the last economic downturn? It was in 2008. 6 years ago, companies in Singapore were told to cut costs to save jobs. Will we have to go through periods of uncertainty come the next downturn? Not necessarily if we are prepared for it.
Here are 5 tips on how you can survive the next downturn in 2015*.
1. Take up a second skill
Does it have to be related to your job or can it be something you enjoy doing in your free time? There is no hard and fast rule on this one. What do you see yourself doing in the next few years? Look forward and plan backwards. Good with languages? Take up translation courses. Interested in flower arrangement? Sign up for a course and grow green fingers. For a start, check out some of these really cool courses.
2. Set aside 6 months worth of salary
The golden rule to investing is to first have at least 6 months of salary stashed in your savings account. This is to ensure that you have ready funds that you can depend on if you ever find yourself unemployed. Having some support is better than none.
3. Connect with people around you
It is not what you know, it is who you know. Make new friends and connect with old friends or people whom you’ve worked with. Meet up for regular coffee sessions. Or if you’re too busy, connect over Facebook. Leave comments on their Facebook posts. Don’t forget, effort counts in maintaining a relationship.
4. Strive to be a better worker
Employers value workers who take pride in their work. Go beyond what you are expected to do. Differentiate yourself. Show why the company needs you more than you need them. Be nice to your colleagues. Succeed together as a team. Agree to disagree. Be responsible. Smile more.
5. Join a union
Union is like insurance. You might not see the importance of it until something unfortunate happens to you. If a company decides to retrench its staff, at least the union can still fight for retrenchment benefits or provide other forms of assistance for the workers. Remember the Five Stars Tour closure earlier this year? The Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU) stepped in to help the workers who lost their jobs. According to The Straits Times, the union provided $600 worth of vouchers to each of the affected union members to help them with the purchase of daily necessities, especially since it was during the Chinese New Year period.
Lastly, keep calm and carry on.
*Disclaimer: Predicted based on assumption that financial crises occur every 7 years or so.
Roy Ngerng, the poster boy for Singaporean rights, also known now as Sneaky Spider, faces a heftier demand for damages after he was found to sneakily send out 2 emails to members of local and international media with the blog posts and youtube video that he was asked to remove by Supreme Leader Lee.
He even went as far as to notify of the addressees of where they could continue to read some of the offending posts after 5pm (on May 26).
Roy now faces the consequences of infuriating the supreme leader through his damaging blog posts; he needs to make an even higher offer of damages.
As a typical middle-class Sinkie, we wonder how Roy is going to raise money to pay for all the legal costs and damages.
Roy might want to consider doing freelance modelling to fund the legal fees and damages. He’s looking quite fabulous here:
SINGAPORE: Lawyers for Mr Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (May 27) sent Mr Roy Ngerng a legal letter in which the Prime Minister’s legal team claimed that the “Heart Truths” blogger had not removed a video on YouTube, and also sent out two emails in which the video as well as contentious blogposts were republished.
“The fact that your client misled everyone about his promise to remove the YouTube video amounts to very grave aggravation. If the two emails were sent by your client, then that would be further aggravation,” Senior Counsel Davinder Singh wrote.
Mr Ngerng was first issued a legal request on May 19 to remove an article referencing Mr Lee that the Prime Minister’s lawyers said had been “published maliciously”. The blogger removed the post that night, and on Friday submitted his apology via a legal letter as well as a post published on his “Heart Truths” website.
On May 26, Mr Lee’s lawyers sent another legal letter asking for a further four blogposts as well as a related YouTube video be removed, saying the published apology “was not and never meant to be genuine”. Later the same day, Mr Ngerng replied that he would do so, but requested for and was granted an extension of the deadline to make an offer of damages to Mr Lee.
However, according to Mr Singh’s letter, Mr Ngerng “once again misled our client and the public” by not removing the YouTube video, but instead setting it to private. “In other words, your client continues to make it available to a select group of people.”
Added Mr Singh: “After we informed you that our client agreed to your client’s request for an extension of time (to make an offer of damages), we learnt of two emails which appear to have been sent by your client, one to many people, including members of the local and international media, and the other to a blind list.
“These emails republish the YouTube video and the offending posts, but this time to a far wider audience. They also notified the addressees of where they could continue to read some of the offending posts after 5pm (on May 26).
“Those emails also assert that your client’s allegation against our client is ‘the truth’ and that our client has complained about the offending posts ‘to eliminate the evidence of corruption’ from (Mr Ngerng’s blog).”
The two emails, including the list of recipients, were reproduced in the legal letter.
Mr Lee reserves the right to recover aggravated damages for the matters covered in the May 26 and May 27 letters, Mr Singh added.
– CNA/es
thesinkietimes.wordpress.com 