Changing of Employers: Did I Do the Right Thing?

Philippines
January 31, 2011 12:32am CST
Hi everyone! For 1 year and 10 months, I was employed in a private law practitioner as a secretary. I was paid above minimum wage imposed in our country (Php 400 or around $8 per day), but my employer has a really bad attitude. Though sometimes he was OK, most of the times he brought me pain to my feelings. This provoked me to tender my resignation last December 2010. Now I am employed in a public institution --- an educational establishment, as a secretary to the legal consultant. My new boss doesn't give me any headache or doesn't hurt my feelings, but the pay is lower than my previous job (now I get paid Php300 or around $6 per day) and it is oftentimes delayed by a week. Now I am thinking --- did I really do the right thing of quitting my former job? My family and friends told me it's better than to stay with my previous employer garnering harsh feelings against him. What do you think?
5 responses
@magenn (78)
31 Jan 11
For me you did the right decision. Yes you got the high pay than what you got now but working in that kind of attitude with your boss is not good and not worthy to get that high pay. You will be easily fired cause he can afford to do it because of his bad attitude and I'm sure its private firm though you don't mentioned here. Private companies/firm very easy to fire workers though they are paying high than in public. At present as you mentioned, you are working in a public institution,its good. You have a security of tenure as I know though its less pay compare to private mostly. If you are working in public offices before they will fire you, civil service will conduct an investigation whats the ground of firing you out so meaning you are secured but then if you are found guilty for a cause to be fired then you will be fired but its a long process. Its ok to be there now anyway later on you will have increase.
• Philippines
1 Feb 11
Wow! You must have know a lot about public institutions. Thank you for those words.
@nj_1022 (251)
31 Jan 11
Ms. Patricia, I think you did the right thing. You might be receiving lower pay now than your previous job but the stress you are getting are also less. If you are not satisfied with your current pay, you can stay in your current employer now while looking for a new job.
• Philippines
1 Feb 11
Thanks! I am contemplating to look for another job since I have a one - year contract here. But anyway, hope it'll be better. Thanks a lot!
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
31 Jan 11
Hi MsPatricia. I think you made the right decision of resigning from your work. It isn't worth working for someone who doesn't treat you properly. Besides, your salary is just above the minimum wage. Your friends are right. You should be happy in your work, not miserable. When misery sets in, it's a sign to look for another job. As to your new job, well, the pay is really rather low. But if there's room for growth and the benefits are good and you're happy working there, then you had really made a wise decision. But keep your options open. Enrich yourself with additional skills. Don't stop learning. One day, you'll be able to get a really nice paying job that you also enjoy working at. Good luck.
• Philippines
31 Jan 11
Thank you very much for such enlightening words.
@laniekins (4579)
• Philippines
31 Jan 11
Hello there! I think we are in the same boat right now only there is a little difference in my salary. My previous boss is harsh too! Who doesn't have consideration to her employee, my present boss is kind although sometimes he go overboard just to get the job done. I can say that my salary is just a less than a dollar higher than here but when I got overtime for almost everyday it gets a little higher. But now I am not contented in my present job, I still wanted to seek a job who will give me the best offer and will see my worth. I don't want to go back to my previous job, there is no future for the employee there although I can learn more experience. Maybe you can try to find another good job, try to go to Job Fairs so that you can choose the company you work with. That's what I do last Saturday, luckily it's my rest day, so I went there forcing my self to, and I applied for 2 International and 1 local. I received two interview invitation. Hope you will get interview invitation soon when you apply, it's us who will make our destiny, the rest is with the Lord. Goodluck and Godbless!
• Philippines
1 Feb 11
Hi there! We have the same present boss...she sometimes wants me to go overtime to get the job done. I will try what you said. The problem with me is that I cannot work past 5pm MOnday to Friday because I am studying. But I hope some employer will accommodate me with that schedule. Thanks! P.S.: Hope you'll get hired with any one of those three jobs you applied with.
31 Jan 11
I think you have done the right thing by quiting the previous job, because i know how difficult it is when a boss like yours hurts. Even though your pay is less, but you can at least be happy and Healthy for some time. you can still search for a better job and better pay. All the best