Do Not Take Sick Leave During Cny Period Or Else…

[therat 18]

http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/25/do...-leave-or-else/

Dealers at Marina Bay Sands will be handed at least two demerit points if they do not show up for work over the Chinese New Year period. (Yahoo! file photo)

Dealers at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino will have to pay the price if they fall ill during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period.

In a report by The Straits Times, anyone who fails to turn up for work at the casino during this time — regardless of whether they have a valid sick leave (MC) — will receive two demerit points.

This comes as the casino braces itself for a flood of patrons during CNY, which has its first day on Thursday next week.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is not too pleased with this move, telling ST that employers “should not require employees to compromise their right to take legitimate medical leave, or be penalised if they do so”.

It added that employees can seek its help or advice if they feel that they have been unfairly treated for taking an MC by sending an email message to mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg.

Negative reaction

Dealers are obviously upset about the MBS’ decision.

Dealer Edwin Lee, who is in his late 30s, said, “What if someone is genuinely sick during that time? It doesn’t seem like such a fair thing to do.”

Croupiers were informed of the rule in a memo last Friday. The casino said that the rule was enforced to ensure they were adequately staffed during the CNY peak period from February 2 to February 10.

Dealers who do not turn up for work without a valid MC during this period will be handed 4 demerit points, while those with perfect records will receive 4 merit points.

These points are accumulated throughout the year, which will then be factored in to the year-end appraisals, upon which bonuses and promotion chances are based.

Madam Halimah Yacob, deputy secretary-general of the National Trade Union Congress, believes that a sick worker should not be forced to work.

“If, despite being sick and having a valid MC, a worker still decides to go to work, who is going to be responsible if something happens to him?” she told ST.

While the move by MBS may seem harsh, industry and human resource experts say they understand why the casino made such a drastic move to ensure dealers show up.

Mr Tony Compton, who has been in the gambling industry for over 20 years, said this is the first time he has heard of such an action.

“This is MBS’ first CNY, and they will be very very busy. It’s up to the company to do what they have to, to ensure that it is well-staffed during that period,” said the Boston Business School lecturer in casino management.

Ms Jacqueline Thoo, a lecturer in human resource management at Singapore Polytechnic, felt the move was too harsh. However, she admitted that “medical leave taken during that time would affect operations very significantly”.

ST discovered that 25 out of 1,500 MBS dealers took medical leave on New Year’s Eve last month.

Rewards suggested

“The situation may have pushed the company to resort to such measures. However there should be more consideration for employees who may get sick during that period,” said Ms Thoo.

Perhaps giving staff an additional day off or paying them more for working during CNY might help, suggested Ms Thoo.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), for example, is paying its staff more than the usual overtime pay and public holiday rates to work over the CNY period.

ST”s check on 14 other companies in the service industry brought up the discovery that none of them use the point system to grade their employees.

Mr Andrew Tjioe, executive chairman of the Tung Lok Group, said he sets targets for his staff to motivate them.

“We definitely don’t want sick people serving our customers,” he said.

Kevin Bossino, General Manager of Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, said his organisation does not believe in penalising employees as they “have to trust that an MC is valid”.

Rewards of extra days off to help motivate staff is the method employed by Mr Chris Hooi, owner of Dragon Phoenix Restaurant at Clarke Quay. Employees receive a week off in return for working over the two public holidays of CNY.

“This way, everyone wants to work during Chinese New Year,” he told ST.

An MBS spokesman was tight-lipped when asked about the reason behind the casino’s point system. He only revealed that it allows them to identify and reward worthy employees based on their performance and attendance.

Although this ruling is designed to target the less-hardworking bunch of dealers, it has not gone down well with those who have put in their blood and sweat to the job.

“I was quite okay about working during the CNY period, but after seeing the memo, I feel like taking MC to challenge them,” said a 33-year-old dealer, who is scheduled to work on eight straight days from Feb 2. He also worked on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

[forgotten 1]

I am scared scared, I won't dare to bring young kids to MBS during CNY, their immune systems are weak.

The management just wants to earn more $$$, and never spare a thought for their employees' health and customers' health.

Edited January 26, 2011 by forgotten

[joey8 2]

http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/25/do...-leave-or-else/

Dealers at Marina Bay Sands will be handed at least two demerit points if they do not show up for work over the Chinese New Year period. (Yahoo! file photo)

Dealers at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino will have to pay the price if they fall ill during the Chinese New Year (CNY) period.

In a report by The Straits Times, anyone who fails to turn up for work at the casino during this time — regardless of whether they have a valid sick leave (MC) — will receive two demerit points.

This comes as the casino braces itself for a flood of patrons during CNY, which has its first day on Thursday next week.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is not too pleased with this move, telling ST that employers “should not require employees to compromise their right to take legitimate medical leave, or be penalised if they do so”.

It added that employees can seek its help or advice if they feel that they have been unfairly treated for taking an MC by sending an email message to mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg.

Negative reaction

Dealers are obviously upset about the MBS’ decision.

Dealer Edwin Lee, who is in his late 30s, said, “What if someone is genuinely sick during that time? It doesn’t seem like such a fair thing to do.”

Croupiers were informed of the rule in a memo last Friday. The casino said that the rule was enforced to ensure they were adequately staffed during the CNY peak period from February 2 to February 10.

Dealers who do not turn up for work without a valid MC during this period will be handed 4 demerit points, while those with perfect records will receive 4 merit points.

These points are accumulated throughout the year, which will then be factored in to the year-end appraisals, upon which bonuses and promotion chances are based.

Madam Halimah Yacob, deputy secretary-general of the National Trade Union Congress, believes that a sick worker should not be forced to work.

“If, despite being sick and having a valid MC, a worker still decides to go to work, who is going to be responsible if something happens to him?” she told ST.

While the move by MBS may seem harsh, industry and human resource experts say they understand why the casino made such a drastic move to ensure dealers show up.

Mr Tony Compton, who has been in the gambling industry for over 20 years, said this is the first time he has heard of such an action.

“This is MBS’ first CNY, and they will be very very busy. It’s up to the company to do what they have to, to ensure that it is well-staffed during that period,” said the Boston Business School lecturer in casino management.

Ms Jacqueline Thoo, a lecturer in human resource management at Singapore Polytechnic, felt the move was too harsh. However, she admitted that “medical leave taken during that time would affect operations very significantly”.

ST discovered that 25 out of 1,500 MBS dealers took medical leave on New Year’s Eve last month.

Rewards suggested

“The situation may have pushed the company to resort to such measures. However there should be more consideration for employees who may get sick during that period,” said Ms Thoo.

Perhaps giving staff an additional day off or paying them more for working during CNY might help, suggested Ms Thoo.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), for example, is paying its staff more than the usual overtime pay and public holiday rates to work over the CNY period.

ST”s check on 14 other companies in the service industry brought up the discovery that none of them use the point system to grade their employees.

Mr Andrew Tjioe, executive chairman of the Tung Lok Group, said he sets targets for his staff to motivate them.

“We definitely don’t want sick people serving our customers,” he said.

Kevin Bossino, General Manager of Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, said his organisation does not believe in penalising employees as they “have to trust that an MC is valid”.

Rewards of extra days off to help motivate staff is the method employed by Mr Chris Hooi, owner of Dragon Phoenix Restaurant at Clarke Quay. Employees receive a week off in return for working over the two public holidays of CNY.

“This way, everyone wants to work during Chinese New Year,” he told ST.

An MBS spokesman was tight-lipped when asked about the reason behind the casino’s point system. He only revealed that it allows them to identify and reward worthy employees based on their performance and attendance.

Although this ruling is designed to target the less-hardworking bunch of dealers, it has not gone down well with those who have put in their blood and sweat to the job.

“I was quite okay about working during the CNY period, but after seeing the memo, I feel like taking MC to challenge them,” said a 33-year-old dealer, who is scheduled to work on eight straight days from Feb 2. He also worked on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

It doesn't make sense, leh. In order not to receive the two demerit points and be penalised, the staff may still go to work even if they are very sick ... then how ... virus everywhere ... who suffers? Its the patrons, right? What an ironic situation!

[neubie 2]

MBS have since withdrawn these penalties liao....

[therat 18]

After newspaper help them to advertise.

Not surprise they withdrawn these stupid penalties.

It's no right in the first place.

[Chanel26 1]

They are afraid many no show due to the season and i bet that is the time when they are really busy and many would be hooked for sure.