Unfairly fired from BPO

I WRITE in regard to a burning question that I need to be answered. Why does the Government give the BPO industry so much leverage over the Jamaican people?

I was recently fired from one of these institutions via a phone call after just completing training while being on probation. I had a situation over the phone and lost focus of where I was and uttered an inappropriate language, as I was terminating the call.

Note, I was on my way out of the building when this situation occurred. I had already clocked out. But this was said to be gross misconduct, as I violated company policy. There was never any clear outline as to what was deemed misconduct in the handbook. I honestly didn’t believe that warranted a firing.

I felt it was a bit harsh, as it was only a mistake. I was relatively new on the job and I wouldn’t know everything.

From sharing my story with friends and family, I learnt of how many more outrageous stories like these are out there in the BPO industry in Jamaica.

WORKER RIGHTS

What are the rights of the citizens? Do we have rights? A termination should have just cause. I really believe Jamaica has no clue of what a human resources department (HR) really does. Isn’t HR supposed to be a part of the solution and not the problem?

Then what is the purpose of the Ministry of Labour when they tell you that there’s nothing they can do because you were on probation? So even when on probation, I am not warranted a fair and just dismissal? The BPO industry has a high turnover rate. Yes, they fire and hire just as much as the world turns on its axis. Tell me now, is that good for the Jamaican youth?