It's been quite interesting going through all the post here. Maybe I can chip in a bit, too!

Well... first of all, about recruitment firms and contracts.

You really gotta make sure you read the TOC before signing on the dotted line. Take your time, take a day, take it home and ask your friends/parents if you're doubtful. Most reputable and trustworthy firms takes it as a norm if a jobseeker requests that. Penalty on early resignation? Check your contract. I know legitimate firms who does that because they do invest quite a significant amount on advertising, training, examinations and so on for their new employees. Normally, this may be as short as 3 months to several years. Sometimes it's called a Bond of Service. I guess the argument is that since they're going to invest time and money on you, you need to make their effort worth it. Them firing you on the other hand, is another question. Unless you're convicted of a crime or had seriously breached company regulations where they can tell you to go without compensation, they will have to be fair and give you 'notice' or salary in lieu of. That is as I understand labour law, from a layman's POV.

That being said.... no legitimate will make you PAY TO WORK. Bond, contract, whatever, the idea is that you get paid to work, not pay to work. I had worked in KFC when I was a student and they did insist I pay RM30 for the uniforms (deducted from my 1st month salary) but I was given the 30 back after I quit, so no issue here.

About those direct selling firms......

Yea, this is where decency and logic fails me. I don't know. Would it be too difficult to just advertisement 'Company selling cheap-@55 fake products requires salespeople. Low basic, some commission, builds character, thicken skin' At least some of us might've taken the job if only for the last two traits.

I have, unfortunately, had more of my share of run ins with these operations. Cobra group was one, another was situated just opposite Kelana LRT. I should've taken it as a warning from God when all the shops around this office had a signs outside that quite bluntly puts it 'No salesman allow'. A more eloquent proprietor even had a sign that say "No salespeople, no offers, no promotions, no 'smart' marketing, no value deals. It other words: Unless you're a customer or a friend/family member of our staff, don't trouble yourself by coming in. We warned you. Security will be alerted if should violate this simple request. Violation of private property is a federal offense. We also exercise our rights to shoot all intruders'.

Ok, I made the last part up.

My sis and more recently, a young cousin of mine fell for this company called APPCO. Sigh....

This post has been edited by ayrix_wylde: Oct 15 2006, 12:02 AM