Tutu Ku

For many years, I’ve worked with managers from Singapore overseeing headcounts in Malaysia. One employment entitlement they often struggle to wrap their heads around is why employees in Malaysia are allowed to take paid sick leave during their probation period. You see, in Malaysia, employees are entitled to minimum of 14 days of paid outpatient … Read more

I don’t want to romanticise the stapler, but… I was once involved in a PIP session. It was between a branch manager and a sales guy.And I was a manager-in-training, observing and learning how to conduct a PIP. At one point, the branch manager got so frustrated and threw a stapler at the sales guy.The … Read more

I know many of you introverts don’t enjoy hearing advice like “network more” or “step out of your comfort zone.” Those suggestions aren’t wrong, but here are also a few unconventional tricks that are surprisingly effective, even for myself. 1. Be First to Compliment Good WorkIntroverts often notice the little details, so use that to … Read more

Nobody gets married planning for a divorce. But understanding your legal rights doesn’t make you pessimistic. It makes you prepared. In this episode, I sat down once again with practising lawyer Pua Jing Man, better known as The Salty Lawyer, to answer the divorce questions many Malaysians are too afraid to ask. Here’s what we … Read more

I have a confession. Throughout my 20 years in corporate, I never paid much attention to SOCSO benefits. I suppose I was fortunate because I never really needed to (knock on wood). In fact, I was only actively involved once. Back in 2004, an employee fell down the stairs and broke three toes (I know… … Read more

Oooof. I know this is a very sensitive subject. A follower recently asked me during my Monday Stories’ Ask AuntyHR™ Anything when she should reveal that she’s pregnant during the interview process. I told her the safest approach is “Don’t ask. Don’t tell.” (Note: In Malaysia, unfortunately, asking this question is not against the law.) … Read more

Orang lama selalu berkata, “Sedangkan lidah lagi tergigit, inikan pula suami isteri.” Macam kita di tempat kerja jugalah. Saya banyak kali tersalah cakap.Saya banyak membuat keputusan yang orang lain tidak setuju.Saya menang banyak mengecewakan orang. Jadi, tak hairanlah saya pun pernah dipulaukan. Nasib baik, saya juga diberikan banyak peluang kedua untuk membetulkan kesilapan saya sehingga … Read more

I was asked: “Aunty, I’m in HR. Every time we organise a team building, someone complains. What are we doing wrong?” This is a tough question but a very good one.  One comment I hear quite often is… we see back the same people and it just feels fake. But that’s exactly why team building … Read more

Generally speaking, tough love means caring enough about someone to tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable to hear. The intention isn’t to shame, humiliate or tear someone down. The intention is to help them grow, become more resilient, or avoid bigger problems later.  Tough love builds the resilience muscle. The workplace won’t always … Read more

☑️ Test your internet 30 minutes before the interview. Make sure you have the interview link. ☑️ Have your phone fully charged and ready to use as a hotspot if your Wi-Fi fails. ☑️ Keep the interviewer’s phone number or email address handy in case you get disconnected. ☑️ Test your camera, microphone and speakers. … Read more