Madam – ‘Unfair’ job policies are a bitter pill.
Your letter last week regarding the person who is being forced to leave town to seek employment refers.
I totally agree with the writer! I was born and raised in Newcastle and went out of town to complete my studies. My parents and all my family live here and Newcastle is the place where I want to settle down and have a family. There is no better place in this country to raise a family. We have such potential and we’re so laid back as a community.
Let me tell you about my experience. When I qualified as a lawyer, I thought as there are plenty of opportunities in Newcastle, I would come back here to work. I loved Jo’burg but home is where the heart is!
I went for so many interviews and was told that I was the best candidate for the position. Then two weeks later I had still not heard anything. I phoned to query and was told the position had already been filled at all the places. Now this happened many years ago and I was very upset to find out the people who were hired did not even have qualifications but were rather studying towards degrees or whatever. Somewhere down the line they were also friends and relatives of the people who owned the business or family of people who worked there. How was this fair?
I had no other choice but to start applying out of town. This worked out better for me, because I eventually met and married the man who is now my husband and we are expecting our first child soon. I know everything happens for a reason but not being able to live in Newcastle is still a sore spot.
I’m happy in Jo’burg but it’s not the same. I would love to come home, but I know from experience there is nothing there for me anymore. I hope the people who own businesses in Newcastle spare a thought for people like me in the future.
Ex Newcastle Mommy-to-be
