Let's face it: for all the wonderful, grand, eye-opening things about life in Indonesia and there are many, Travel the jaw-dropping landscapes breathtaking, a few days in the archipelago are just funny. Especially if you work in an office.
We canvassed expatriates from a variety of industries for their wackiest experiences to date in their Indonesian workplaces. Here are the best of the best - but we bet there are plenty more where these came from, so email, comment on the site, or find us on to share your gems
__________________________________________________________________!
Only Fools and Horses - in the banking sector
The attendance staff is a cinch, right? False. Think again if you have your absence levels under control - as in Indonesia, everything is not always what it seems ...
" Like many businesses in Indonesia, we have a system of recognition thumbprint attached to entrance doors to our office. All members of the staff of the Office Boy to President Director gets to have their moment Mission Impossible and punch in his unique impression to access the building using the HR system to monitor attendance. - and it's also the data on which they base the payment of appropriate diems that most employees receive for things like transportation (although I have always thought, in other countries, this could be seen as an added bonus just for turning work ... and not necessarily the same time!).
one day, four young members staff were out of the office. Mysteriously, however, they somehow still managed to sweep their sticky mitts in at the beginning and end of the workday. Either they developed body double, or they took us for a ride. I place a safe bet on it.
This went on for almost a week while we built a watertight case, based on CCTV images of the authors jump their motorcycles, drag their numbers, then go merrily on their way to the Dossing a day. Suffice to say, the four staff involved were easily convinced that it was the appropriate time for them to pursue their careers elsewhere . "- Mr Motivator, Pondok Indah
_____________________________________________________________
Thank You, Come Again - in Oil & Gas
many markets struggling with the tricky business to terminate a contract. But in Indonesia, sometimes it is not over till it's over.
" For various reasons, it has become clear that a particular manager junior necessary to leave the company. As often is done here, we consulted the person in question and agreed to resign. Steps have been taken. a farewell party amicably was organized. Tea, cakes and well-wishes were exchanged and appreciated, and we offer the farewell manager. Up 'now, so normal.
Three days later, bold as brass, this so-called ex-employee was strolling back to work and resumed his duties, pretending nothing happened. Picking our jaws on the floor, we are organized to question the young pretender brave. - at what point things got even more interesting
the manager informed us that money would be required to treat in sweetness that particular transaction. But not only a sum of money.
A modest single payment to a hundred times their final salary would do.
When we finally found the words to respond politely we stuttered a decline this particular offer, and reiterated the demand that the manager, as a former employee, should leave immediately . - What they did
We thought we had won the war, when the person in question did not submit again to a couple of months. But a final ride still had to be ironed out: they need to sign an agreement confirming that they had, indeed, once and for all, leave our jobs
.The thing is, this ex-manager kept refusing to sign anything. We have contacted several times in the months and heard nothing back. Finally, we discovered that it would be quite acceptable (depending on local laws regarding employment) for us to contact the village head of this person, who could sign the papers on their behalf.
We finally tracked down this character - but the head gently from the old village firmly refused to sign anything. So to this day, it is a dead end - a state of uncertainty. The ex-employee will be paid by us, and not just at work. But technically, they also still have an open contract with us. Only in Indonesia " - It's Not Me, It's You, Balikpapan
__________________________________________________________________
Gizza Job - in manufacturing
the arduous pursuit to hire decent staff is beset by trials and tribulations in all countries but. in Indonesia, it can be filled with the added bonus of laughter, surprise and intrigue. recent experience is no exception.
" We had a high enough position to fill, and to work with colleagues around the world, a certain level of written and spoken English is required of the candidate. The usual rigmarole CV screening was conducted, and those whose resume apparently fitted the bill were invited to an interview with myself and my Indonesian counterpart. There was a small pool of candidates, and a brief analysis of the CV in advance, this particular chap was no worse, no better than the other. We called in an interview.
from things outside the usual chatty way, I greeted the candidate in question and sat down to start the interview. My Indonesian colleague will join us later for a second round of questions. But we did not have before.
In two minutes, it became painfully clear that the interviewee did not speak English really. To be clear, it was not that his English was poor. It was non-existent. We simply could not communicate. So, never one to waste time, I apologized and I went for my Indonesian partner, asking him to go and politely end the interview.
After a few minutes, he returned, looking troubled. "It seems that we need to pay to leave," he said. I had to ask him to repeat, not quite believe what I had heard. He is, the guy was a con artist who practically made a living going around the office pulling the same routine on other companies.
I trusted the judgment and experience of my colleague - he can spot a troublemaker of a mile off, and it is better in these situations to be safe than sorry. So we paid a small but significant amount to the man, who happily left the scene, the work done. All in a day's work . "- Problems Mo 'Money Mo', Bekasi