If I am a politician

Isn't the lady in this picture pretty? That was me working at the pharmacy a few years ago. Do you believe this claim? Better not because it is not true (Gotcha sleepy head!). The only truth is I am a Pharmacist (no joke). However, since I graduated in 2002, there was only one person who assured me that I have chosen the right profession and she was my lecturer (the opinion could be bias). The majority of my friends and family members thought otherwise. Out of ten polls on opinions of what type of profession would my personality fit in, six claimed that I should have been an academician, two said I might better off be a politician and one each for lawyer and in marketing field respectively. Not even a single vote for either doctor, nurse or dentist..and what more pharmacist. Ouch! How heart breaking...4 years of undergraduate and currently halfway struggling postgraduate study in 'Pharmacy' I have yet to hear someone to tell me that I work close to any profession oin the medical field. Last week, a stanger I met at Heathrow airport made a guess that I was an architecture student! Oh dear, so far away from my league, I wonder what type of art she saw in me. Do you think increasing my sample size would have given a different result? I am not convinced because the opinions have been the same for the past 10 years.

In view of the high possibility of Malaysia having the general election any time this year, in this entry I would like to write about what I wish to do if I am a poltician - the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. Now, now Malaysian friends...be kind not to relate me with any 'cow' scandals. Lets see if you still think I should be a poltician rather than a pharmacist by the end of this article:

If I am given the oppotunity to play the role as the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development; I would like to fight for flexible working schedule working schedule for female employees. Before we proceed, this is my disclaimer: I do not have education background in political or social science, most of my points are from my personal observation and what I read from the internet and not representing any political parties. 

Current scenario: Women are multitaskers - career women 0800-1700hr, mother and wife 24hr. An early start at 0500hr to get the kids ready for school (or nursery for infants) then race towards the highway before 0700hr in order to get ahead of the traffic jam. Later on, rush to fetch the kids  within the one hour lunch break and back to office for the remaining hours. Later in the evening, got trapped in the traffic for almost an hour or two before reaching home, exhausted.  The responsibility continues to have dinner ready, oversee children's homework, get bits and pieces of household errands done before a bedtime (which may be interupted by wailing baby cries). The routine repeats itself on the following day. Owh wait...there could be some urgent office work to be completed at home at night. Some of us may argue - husbands would do halve of the tasks, there is a maid to get things done, school buses and day care to handle the kids after school. The truth is, not everyone can afford such luxury (even though these have become neccesities nowadays).  Eventhough we may have all the above mentioned support - there is still insufficient quality time for love ones by the end of the day. The nature of our work could be different but however, if it is well planned ahead we may have the chance to have a big chunk done from home - effectively!

Ideas: Flexible working schedule for female employee.  This option is available but is not open to all sectors.  

Possible ways for implementation: Option for  flexible salary scheme (by number of working hours OR number of days working at home with a designated period in a year) which comes with performance and quality indicators. This option should be opened to all through a proper application and carefully selected candidates; perhaps some interviews and refelection of previous performance. Applicants who deem suitable for the scheme will be given a trial period and those who manage to perform within this period will be given the option as to whether they would like to continue with the scheme. The scheme is not permenant and can be withdrawn if they do not performe up to expectation.

Why should we have this: Having this idea in place, employers pay for the amount of hours being committed and the female employees have the flexibility to manage thier career and family life. I strongly believe that happy women build happy families; happy families create good foundation for successful generation and a successful generation is the hope of our nation!

I acknowldege that it easier to write on paper than having it implemented...but why not give a try. If this is made available, are you not tempted to participate? I would!