The Lost Boy vents
It’s been a long, hard few days. While there was the brief interlude of Songkran on Sunday, we still had a newspaper to write, edit, lay out and polish on Monday and today. We did it – just about – thanks to a solid effort, but today’s deadline is bittersweet.
You may recall that we had a phantom one-week employee a few months ago. I was extremely annoyed at the individual in question, who, after wasting everybody’s time, quit within seven days of stepping foot in the office.
History does, of course, repeat itself. It will come back and bite me if I post my true thoughts on this matter, but we have another phantom employee on our hands, this time calling it a day after about one month in the office. Why do people do it?
They expect an easy ride when they come to work in Thailand’s media. But when your stories are ripped apart, your facts are scrutinized, your mistakes are pounced upon, your words are turned upside down — that's when you realize that it’s not easy and whatever you think you learnt at university or from reading Barabara Bothered in The Times goes out the window.
But such is life. I have to put off even thinking about beginning my study, I won’t be able to see friends who are visiting Thailand and I won’t be able to take a much-needed holiday, as our phantom employee was lucky enough to do this Songkran while the rest of us did our jobs.
Yes, I’m feeling sorry for myself and, sure, it’s arrogant to think that the world revolves around me, but this whole debacle has made me angry.
Matt, this was someone from overseas?
I think you're right. Some people do come to Thailand for an "easy ride" but that's not how it works. If anything work here is harder and the pay is less (although we're not motivated by money, are we?).
How about asking potential employees for some kind of bond? You and your company invests time and money recruiting so it's only fair you get payback if they leave in a short period of time. Would that work?
Yeah. Someone from overseas. I think we're going to implement some sort of lower salary/one-year bonus scheme. It just makes me angry when people waste everybody's time like this, from getting the visa and the work permit to being trained.
Wha?!!
But when your stories are ripped apart, your facts are scrutinized, your mistakes are pounced upon, your words are turned upside down — that’s when you realize that it’s not easy
Are you working for a Thai newspaper??? That does not fit the description… ;-)
That's what happens regardless of where you are in the world and what language you right. Reporters write stories and sub editors make sure they are legally watertight, meet the style of the publication and generally read well. Many reporters in the UK when they first start are amazed how much their original story has differed from the one which eventually appears in print. When you are dealing with Thai journalists writing in English it generally needs a lot of work.
Hard work, low pay…what other reasons do you need to understand why people flake out on a new job?
There are millions of people out there looking for a free ride. That where the 80/20 rule comes into play–80 percent of the work is done by 20 percent of the people!