I’m officially no longer bonded!

Today is a significant day for me – I have officially worked for this company for 5 years, meaning I have served their scholarship bond! Alhamdulillah. I am so lucky, to have had the opportunity to study overseas, something I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. I am so lucky, to have had the opportunity to work in this company, when there are so many people out there struggling to find jobs after graduating. I’m so lucky, because the bond is only 5 years, much shorter than some other people. Alhamdulillah, to Allah I return all praises and thanks.

So, what now? I am now free to go. Will I leave to look for greener pasture? I’ve thought about this, naturally. What I like about my current job:
1) good remuneration, benefits and perks
2) good organisational ethics, culture, and environment
3) workload and nature of my current assignment is reasonably good

What I dislike about it:
1) it’s too far from home! I spend about 2 hours a day on the road on average (that’s 8% or my time a day!) and there seems little chance of them moving closer to my home
2) there is no bia’ah solehah here
3) also very few like-minded, or should I say ‘like-soulled’, friends here

Conclusion, at the moment I think I shall remain here.

But what I am looking at, is to reduce my working hours (and hence, also reduce my salary accordingly), under the flexi-work policy. I spoke to my boss about a month ago. The conversation went something like this:

“K, erm, I was wondering, with the organisation doing the re-matching of roles and jobs, um, and a portfolio will be taken from me, um, perhaps I could apply to work four days a week? Under the flexi-work policy?”

K paused for awhile before answering. “There’s no issue regarding the portfolio being taken from your role. There are other things that I would like you to do, it’s just before this, there’s not enough time.”

I said, “I understand. I myself would very much appreciate the additional time I would have to study certain things in greater depth. But portfolio X did take a lot of time before, so even with four days, I would still have that time. I just felt that this reorganisation gives me an opportunity to apply to do part time, to spend more time with my family.”

“Well,” he said, “If your family really needs you, then we will consider. Because afterall, our HR policy does provide for it.”

He used the words ‘needs’, as if to impress me, that there has to be a specific reason. Perhaps, a sickly child or parent, or a child sitting for exam. No such thing as simply ‘to spend more time with my family’.

“I’ve always thought that it would be nice to have more time,” I started, but was cut off by K.

“Exactly – there’s so much we can do if we have more time. We can do a lot of initiatives to add value to to the business.”

“I meant – time for myself. Outside work. To do other things! To live life!” And I did say these with exclamation marks! Not in an angry tone, I was just a bit excited.

K was stunned for while. I think I got a bit carried away, especially the last sentence. I looked at K and saw a man so passionate about his work. He is where he is for very good reasons.

“I’m sorry,” I apologised. “That wasn’t too appropriate for me to say probably.”

“Okay,” K said. “I’ll discuss this with boss (our GM).”

I haven’t heard from K about this since then, but I’m still optimistic about it. Wish me luck, ladies! Wouldn’t it be nice to work only four days in a week, and have the remaining three for yourself?