A bad experience...

[Mulder12]

I just want to let out my experience recently regarding a job application I had at the CIS (Corporate Information Systems) of Meralco. I went through all the usual motions, the preliminary IQ/Programmer's Exam, which I passed with flying colors, then the psychological exam, which I also passed. Thirdly, there was the panel interview which went great.

When everything seems to be going well, I was subjected to the company's medical exam. At first I wasn't worried coz I personally knew that there was nothing wrong with me. But after the 1st med exam, the Meralco hospital found that I had a high normal blood sugar content. So I was scheduled for a 2nd exam, which was accompanied with a week-long diet of oatmeal, but alas, the blood sugar content remained a bit high for their standards.

I was later summoned by the CIS doctor himself to tell me about my situation, even arranging a meeting, but it was just a way of telling me that my application had to be rejected. I was crushed, coz I felt that I didnt even have the chance to strut my stuff and then this comes along; I even asked another doctor for a 2nd opinion, this time the doctor's results told me that my blood sugar level was still tolerable by diabetes standards, but the Meralco hospital completely ignored it.

I guess the next time CIS should place an ad in the papers, they should include "Applicants must be EXTREMELY HEALTHY". Nakaka-asar.

[du-kat]

I know this is kind of late, but did you consider asking for their corporate hiring policies?

This is a publicly traded company. You should be able to request any and all information regarding corporate policies, especially in hiring.

Would they have hired you if you were otherwise healthy except you were handicapped?

But this sure sounds like an effort worth
undertaking to find out what Meralco requires in order to be an employee.

Sorry to hear this!! I wish you well in a better opportunity.

[Mulder12]

Thanks 4 the reply, du-kat,

Well, you're right, it is kinda late, even for them. They (the company clinic) told me about this part of the company's policy while I was groveling for them to give me a chance to prove myself. None of it came with the prior interviews.

About that handicap thing, they even gave me a list of conditions which the company hospital would find rejectable: hypertension, diabetes, heart ailments.

They even cut slack on patients with color-blindness and scoliosis. They said these ailments are curable and the rejectable circumstances would be detrimental in the performance of the applicant.

Ika nga nung doctor na naghatol : "Hindi ka pa nagdedeposito sa bangko namin, nagwiwithdraw ka na." I even kinda begged that I would personally finance my own medications but they still rejected it. They have some medical mumbo-jumbo provided for the employees kasi. Thanks again.

[TNT2bluz]

I don't mean to sound insensitive but...

That's a real shocka! http://www.pinoyexchange.com/lol.gif

Lighten up, mate. Keep your chin up, and don't let those fascist bugger keep you down. Nothing can keep a good person down. And you know what, diabetes may be cured in the next 10 years. ;)

[dudung]

Mulder12,

I can empathize with you. But cheer up! It's their loss not yours!

I went through exactly that same harrowing experience ;). And I have to say this to warn others. The company is San Miguel Corporation HQ in Ortigas, Mandaluyong.

They diagnosed me of three things. One is mitral valve prolapse (heart), UTI (kidney) and amblyopia (eyes - they want perfect 20/20 vision), which has been disproven by all the top medical specialists I went to. I literally shopped for medical opinions (2 doctors for each case) and shoved all the medical certificates I got literally to the medical services department of SMC.

The thing was, I feel so vindicated with what I did because I actually sought all the medical directors (for these three different specialties - opthalmology, cardiology and urology) of San Miguel for consultation as a private patient. Yes, I researched for their private clinics. And yes, they disproved the test findings. One doctor even suggested that I sue the company if SMC won't honor the medical certificates he issues because that simply redounds to plain and simple discrimination. But do we have laws for "equal opportunity"?

Despite that, SMC doesn't want to give me another chance (even though I have the very strong support of the management in SMC which wants to hire me!). I guess it's just a matter of SMCs credibility being questioned so they don't wanna honor the medical certificates I have presented. Because if I got in by refuting their findings, then that goes to show that their medical services can't be trusted. Get it?).

What's even weird was after I presented these medical certificates, I talked to my supposed-direct-boss-to-be, he said I am already "in" as far as he is concerned but the HR of SMC gave me a call, all of a sudden telling me that I am not qualified for the position in the first place. Hello? The supposed-direct-boss-to-be told me that it's the only thing I have to complete before I can start working for them. Geez...

I rested my case. The truth has set me free :). And I am extremely happy now. It's a blessing in disguise. The job I was to take on several years ago has been axed due to corporate streamlining/retrenchment under Danding Cojuangco's tenure. Plus now, I have a better job than what I'm supposed to do for SMC.

Call me sourgraping. Pero mabait talaga si Lord!

[PauTOT]

Mulder12 I really sympathize with you. I know how it feels to not get a job because of some trivial reason or another....I just hope that what I have to say would make you feel better. you see, I used to work for CIS and was just as surprised as you when I found out that I had to pass their medical exam as well as their preliminary exams. Lucky for me (or unlucky as you may find out later) I was able to pass it. I would later find out that the reason for their very rigid rules regarding health is that they have very comprehensive health benefits, lahat ng gusto mo mapa dental treatment to health insurance, sila na yung bahala, (although their facilities are sub-par, at least malapit lang,and medyo alaga ka)

...so there, so much for talking about their side...let me give you the lighter side of your situation.....although CIS is a very good training ground for IT professionals, the pay isn't all that good, they also have a two year bond, which prevents you from leaving the company in less than two years without having to pay triple your monthly salary. plus, I was never really comfortable with the people who manage the company, it's run by old (as in ancient) people who are afraid of new technology, so what happens is, they like to play it safe in developing legacy applications, and are very hesitant to explore possibilities offered by the internet.

...anyway, tama na ang sinabi ko, ayoko naman kasi siraan ang CIS eh, as I said before, it was a very good training ground for IT professionals, and you'll never meet a more down to earth group of people anywhere else......pero if you're concerned about the money, you'll have better chances of making money somewhere else.

[womanontop]

pass a medical exam for a job? they might as well get a robot to work for them?

[Joules]

I also symphatize with you Mulder12.
And most Pinoys are wondering why there is a continuing "brain drain" from the Philippines...
It's saddening indeed.

[Krakista]

I remember from way back a friend of mine, a topnotch talent in programming, applied for a job with CIS. He passed all tests except the psychological test and therefore wasn't accepted.

[starsky]

Used to be from CIS, too, and had a couple of friends who were not accepted because of the results of their medical exam. And just like you, they consulted doctors and found out that they didn't even have those medical conditions. Caused them undue worry, besides the disappointment of rejection. But they have found better-paying jobs which was good since CIS wasn't all that great salary-wise. (This being in the past tense coz I hear that the pay is pretty good there now.) Feeling nga namin yung mga ibang doctor dun, dina-dartboard yung medical results. ;)

Anyway, marami pa namang iba dyan na mas maganda.