What A Mess I Got Myself Into
Posted: Monday, July 18, 2011
by Hilda Cang
Never knew a good girl like me also could not be exempted from committing some silly stupidity that got me into a big mess many many years ago.
Working in the Hyatt for one year and three months, to be exact, had landed me into some messy encounter prior to my resignation. Actually, that was quite an outdated story retold but nevertheless, I won't forget it as long as I live.
We were cheerful and co-operative and I found it actually fun to be a part of Hyatt working among four hundred other staff.
One day, I wasn't sure whose idea was that coming up that some of the cashiers felt that we were underpaid ! They planned to appeal to the Chief Accountant for an increase in salary. But how and who was going to bring this subject up ? And I wasn't sure who was saying that why not everybody signed in a piece of paper to show them our determination was black and white ?
And so, week after week, that piece of paper was circulating from one outlet to another. One day, as I was on my afternoon shift, a cashier handed me the paper, I took a glance. Yes, almost half of the cashiers had signed in. Without wasting a minute, I signed my name in.
Little did we know we were under Hyatt's employment and not some abc motel. We lost our heads.
News travels ! I received an intercom call while on duty one day, asking me to go to the Accounts Office on the 5th floor. Oh My Gosh, don't tell me the Chief Accountant wanted to speak to me about the APPEAL ?
Gingerly, I walked up to the 5th floor where the Admin offices were located. Goofy, the Chief Accountant's nickname secretly called by us was seated in his leather chair. On his right was the Personel Manager named Loffiah and on his left was the assistant accountant, Jimmy. There was a total of 30 other admin staff at that time I could see through the glass.
"sit down." Goofy gestured to me. I sat down. Heart throbbing. I was shocked to see the faces of disbelief and disappointment from the men in front of me. They were our respectful senior. Well groomed and smart. But right here, what had I got myself into and where were other cashiers that they said they wanted an increment ? " So you are the one behind all this, Hilda ? " I heard Goofy's voice. " No ! " I heard my own little voice.
I had to obscure the rest of the conversation. Only thing was, I said " NO " a hundred times to the three big shots . I wished I could duck my head into a cave although they didn't treat me like a murderer, I felt sorry and ashamed of our ignorance as an employee of such a nice leading hotel in town.
So, in retrospect , I know the evil will not defeat the righteous !
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I know you must have been terrified standing there in front of all those "Head Honchos"- in effect taking the rap for the whole idea- but you did have a right to ask for a raise without being intimidated like that. You had nothing to feel sorry or ashamed about. They bullied you. Glad you survived it tho- Thanks for an interesting story- Always- EllaHi Ella, I was glad it remained a lesson for me in my later years. I learnt from my mistake and there was not very much regret because I was only a scapegoat. Hahaha.
Hilda: Gee, I've seen your picture, you don't look like the leader of an uprising. You know management, they have to crush opposition, and the sweetest such, as soon as they find it. Loved your article.That's why I got myself into this mess, Christofer. I ain't no leader but it's such a messy spot.
This brings to mind another one for me - happened at Girl Scout Camp one summer.... oh, boy!Hi Marijo, pleased to hear from you. So that one will be your story = Girl Scout Camp.......
Looking forward to reading it soon.
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