Detour, How Long Could It Be?

Salam w.b.t and holla everybody!

Basically, after I received the employment letter from SLB early of September, I did a health examination, and apply for visa to start my training in Australia. So, on December  8, I flew to Queensland, Australia and start working. At the moment, after a long day, I am laying on my comfy bed in the staff house near to SLB base while writing this entry.

That is the ideal situation which I wish it is true.

In reality, I am still in Malaysia and not yet start working with SLB. On December 8, I believe everything supposed to be cleared for my departure to Australia. Unfortunately, my visa to enter Australia is still in the process. The processing time normally takes between 8 or 9 weeks from the lodging date, but this time the AU department who processes this particular type of visa had moved from South Australia down to Hobart. This causes the processing time to extend up to 20 weeks, due to the backlog of previous applications. Subsequently, affects my start date at SLB.

I received this piece of information two weeks prior the scheduled start date from the new head of HR. The previous HR Manager has taken a new job role. I found that this is alright, since I am new, and the new head of HR is also 'new', then it will put us on a similar page as everyone is trying their best to put this situation under control.

At first, he seemed reluctant to break the news to me, maybe he worried if I start to become erratic after I heard the news. However, after I voiced out my concern, then he told me the real situation. He even forward me the email proving that they keep tracking my visa application. He also said, there are about 7 to 8 persons are in the same boat as me. So, they are trying their best to speed up everything but dealing with Australia government is not in their control. Therefore, he advised me to hold on a little bit.

"Atiqah, having an IM status is really, really an advantage as SLB employee. Not everyone is lucky to get this opportunity, but you are fortunate. Everyone will fight to get what you have. But, I will tell you what. Getting a visa is the hardest part as an IM employee, it happens in every part of the world. Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi, even in Australia. Anyhow, we are trying our best to get you onboard soon and we do not forget you even though you might think we forgot you. I hope you can hold on a little bit."

I also said to him, "The hardest part is the waiting part."

That is basically the summary of our phone conversation lasted about 20 minutes on Monday morning. From his stand, I am absolutely sure he understands the situation I have been through since he also started as a field engineer. This soothes me a little bit knowing that;

(1) SLB does not forget me,

(2) Everyone in SLB knows my visa status including my future manager at the base,

(3) There are 7 or 8 other persons still waiting like me,

(4) The new HR head welcoming any queries or concerns.

On the flip side;

(1) I am disappointed due to the delay,

(2) I did not see this coming,

(3) Practically, I do not have anything to do everyday,

(4) My savings is running out,

(5) Stress as everyone keep asking me, "When are you going to depart to Australia?", "How's work at SLB?", and others.

I did not anticipate the process will be this long. When I was in Labuan for the FEP, the FS (Field Specialist) said it took him one month to settle down in Labuan. Anyhow, the HR did give the estimation time for me to start, but I will not reveal it until the time has arrive. Finger cross, everything will go smoothly, InsyaAllah.

I also make several blog walking, I know there are two types of employee status in SLB, (1) International Mobility (IM) employee, and (2) Home Country Based (HCB) employee. Maybe the IM employees have to go through an extra procedure like waiting for the visa approval, whereas HBC do not have to. I would say that is the downside in the onboarding process of IM.

I also read the IM employees' experiences, he also experienced the same like me. I have never come across to his blog before this, what he shared is exactly the same I am currently experiencing. What he feels, the situation he has been through, the challenges in waiting for joining the SLB, everything he felt is what I am feeling right now. The different is the year, he wrote it about 3 or 4 years ago.

Here, his blog http://luffyelastic.blogspot.com/

I am a bit relieved and ready to open up on what I feel, so I decided to write this entry. Who knows, someone who experience similar will read this in the future.

Salam w.b.t and see you later.

P/S - Best thing does not come easily, it packs with challenges with mixture of smiles and tears. Please pray everything will be alrigh, InsyaAllah