Advice on negotiating with HR?

[belladonna]

Hi there,

My employment pass is up for renewal in March 2013. I was only given a year the last time it was renewed, as I no longer qualify under the new criteria. Now, I've checked on the MOM self assessment tool and it seems that I will qualify for an S-pass ( or I may be rejected outright) next time. When I plugged in the next salary tier though, it said it was likely I would qualify for both e-pass and s- pass. The next tier is $200 and upwards of my current salary. My contract with my company does not expire until October 2013. During the last round of renewals, I voiced my concerns, but HR seemed to adopt a "wait and see" attitude because I had been granted 1 year anyway. I am very nervous about being rejected ext year though.

1. Should I bring this up with HR or my direct supervisor? If so, when?
2. Is it a good idea to mention the self assessment tool results?
3. Is the self assessment tool a reliable gauge for this sort of thing?

Thanks for any opinions / responses

[sundaymorningstaple]

The self assessment is only a very, very rough guide and cannot be counted on as it's not updated regularly, however the tightening of criteria is being modified virtually monthly.

Additionally, when the EP is applied for, as long as the "will you consider an S pass" box is ticked, then if not qualified for an EP (in MOM's eyes - not HR's) you will be considered for a S pass. If HR didn't tick the S pass, it usually means that they are not interested in paying more money to keep you as S pass incur high levies (around $250/month now). No longer the $50 is used to be.

You really don't have anything to "negotiate" at all. Most are only getting 1 year passes now, especially in the lower EP and S pass categories.

[belladonna]

Thanks for the reply, SMS.

I think there's a chance my employer will apply for an S-pass, as there are others in my department who are on s-pass. I'm sure that isn't ideal though. I know that I can't really negotiate anything... But I wonder if my employer will consider giving me a small raise to keep within the e-pass range. They did this with my other colleagues, but their contracts were up at the time. Mine expires next year

[sundaymorningstaple]

IF the tick box isn't checked to be considered for S pass in the initial application, then they cannot go back an reapply for an S pass. By not ticking that selection they will have told MOM that they are not interested in an S pass. If they don't tick it, MOM considers the choice as final.

Good luck as it sounds like you might need it.

sms

[belladonna]

I suppose I can ask them about that and request that they tick both boxes. When my pass was renewed the HR lady did ask me if I would be "ok" on an S-pass, so hopefully that is a positive sign.

I wish I had applied for PR back when it wasn't so difficult

[sundaymorningstaple]

Okay. If she said that, then both will be looked at if the EP is not suitable in MOM's eyes. Your problem now, is if you are found ineligible for the S pass.

[belladonna]

True, true.

Are employers able to send supporting documents (like a letter, perhaps?) to strengthen an S-Pass application?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Same documentation that's required for the EP. If previously on an EP, then they already have all the doc's necessary.