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mystarjob.com, Saturday 16 May 2015
Here’s why you should join!
I can very proudly say I have attended DIODE camps at least six times now. Three times as a camper,
once as a co-facilitator and twice as a facilitator. Every single time I go, I am amazed at just how
much I learn and how many new experiences I gain. DIODE camps are based on the fundamental
belief that one person, no matter who they are or where they’re from, can make a big difference
to a life, a community, a nation, a country and the world.
What I love about DIODE camps is how they impart important leadership values to campers.
Campers are taught not only to use the knowledge gained at camp but also how to use the
skills and qualities they possess to make a difference in their communities. At all the DIODE
camps I’ve attended, I have never failed to be inspired by the campers and the facilitators
who truly want to make a difference.
Vennisha Natarajan, 18
Join us!
DIODE KIDS
TWEENS LEADERSHIP CAMP
Venue: Dewan Besar,
6, Bgn Bakti Siti Hasmah,
Changkat Abg Haji Openg,
Taman Tun Dr. Ismail,
60000 KL.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP
9–10 June 2015
3–6 June 2015
1–6 June 2015
Venue: Harmony Excellence Resort,
Lorong Chemperoh 1, Kg. Janda Baik,
28750 Bentong, Pahang
CAMP REGISTRATIONS END 18TH MAY 2015.
Visit www.diodecamps.com or call +6 (03) 7957 5809 ext 2023 to secure your spaces in DIODE!
I
agree with your article “Driving
Workplace Diversity” (April 18)
that diversity is important in an
organisation as it reflects the
multiplicity of the Malaysian society as a whole.
However, discrimination still happens especially when a cancer survivor
applies for jobs.
I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013. At that
time, I was working in Kuala Lumpur
(KL) with a leading bank.
I went back to my hometown,
Penang, for treatment. It took two
years for me to get better. I was still
employed by the same bank then (prolonged illness leave).
I must say that the support given
me by the bank was tremendous. I
was really fortunate to be working for
a company that supports its employee
both morally and financially.
Now I am cured and the doctor has
giving me the green light to return to
work.
My doctor advised me to work in
Penang as it will be easy for me to
undergo my monthly check-ups.
Unfortunately, my bank was unable
to grant me a transfer as there were
no openings for my job scope in the
Penang branch.
If I do go back to KL, I have to apply
for a three-day leave every month for
check-ups because of logistics. This was
unproductive for the bank and me.
Therefore, I started applying for jobs
in Penang. It is very frustrating having to explain the two-year gap in my
career.
I try not to tell them, but they get
Parting Shot
to know when asking for my
pay slip. They discriminate me
even further when they ask me
whether I will be able to handle
stress.
We cancer survivors are able
to handle stress. We have been
to hell and back. We have battled cancer and have come out
survivors.
We are strong and we think
differently. We will add diversity
in any company where we are
employed. We are independent
and I would call all cancer survivors,
warriors.
I understand why human resources managers think twice about
hiring a cancer survivor. During
interviews, I was asked whether the
cancer would come back.
These kinds of questions are insensitive and uncalled for. Life doesn’t
give you a guarantee. You can also get
killed while crossing the road.
In the United States, cancer survivors are legally protected by state and
federal laws, such as the Disabilities
Act and the Family and Medical Leave
Act.
According to these laws, prospective employers cannot ask about a job
candidate’s health. I am not sure if we
are protected by any similar laws in
Malaysia.
THIS MAY BE FOR YOU!
Sector Focused
Career Fair (SFCF)
UMP: Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Pahang
Gambang Campus
May 23-24, 2015
Calling all engineering students in the East Coast! The
Sector Focused Career Fair
will head to Kuantan in May.
Explore internship or career
opportunities with more than
30 top employers in the engineering sector at Universiti
Malaysia Pahang Gambang
Campus from May 23-24, 10am
to 5pm.
WRITE TO US
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So when you
award companies with the best diversity, please also consider how many
cancer survivors, wheelchair-bound
individuals, and other employees with
health-related issues are employed by
the organisation.
It is not only the colour of your skin
or the number of Gen-X and Gen-Z
or gender equality, but it is also the
number of survivors employed that
defines a good employer.
I am still unsuccessful in landing a job. Therefore I am currently
doing my MBA in University Sains
Malaysia Penang.
I hope that one day I would be able
to help my fellow survivors who have
difficulties in finding a job after cancer
treatment.
I truly hope your pullout will be
able to educate both employee and
employer on sensitive issues like
these. I do hope you will come out
with articles highlighting this issue.
(Name withheld by request)
Penang
Malaysia HR
AWARDS 2015
The prestigious 15th
Malaysia HR AWARDS 2015
organised by the Malaysian
Institute of Human Resource
Management will be presented
to winners on Oct 29, 2015.
To date, an overwhelming
number of submissions have
been received. This year, the
Malaysia HR AWARDS 2015 will
be presented in eight categories. Submission for interested
organisations and individuals is
still open till June 30, 2015.
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