Canadian suing Taipei hotel for over $280,000.00 USD

  A Canadian gentleman, Mr. Carey McGregor, traveled to Taiwan to enlighten his life, learn Chinese and enhance his future as a Concierge. He studied for 2.5 years in ‘Hotel Management’ as well as the ‘Concierge Services Guest Relations Specialist’ Program at Fanshawe College in London, ON Canada. “Fanshawe College has one of the best hospitality programs in Canada and the professors are true professionals,” Mr. McGregor mentioned. Mr. McGregor also worked at one of the best, very exclusive golf clubs in Canada, where excellence was expected. Offering his services at private caterings, fine dining establishments and charity events, Mr. McGregor is following in the foot steps of his mentors. At 34 years of age, over 15 years of experience in hospitality, lived in Brazil, Korea, and now Taiwan, Mr. McGregor strives to be the best he can be in an industry he loves, hospitality.
  Mr. McGregor was called by a hotel in Taipei, offering him a position as ‘Guest Relations Manager’. We will call this hotel ‘The Horror Day Inn, Taipei’. This offer was an amazing opportunity and the knowledge attained would be great for Mr. McGregor’s future as a ‘Concierge’. At the second interview, the H.R. director said the ‘manager position’ paid too much, so ‘Guest Relations Officer’ would be a better choice for the hotel.
  Excited about working for an international hotel, which is in such a huge family of hotels, Mr. McGregor accepted the offer. “I remember staying at this brand name of hotels when I was a young child with my parents, so I trusted the name very much,” said Mr. McGregor.
  Attending a program in hospitality, one credit must be documented as work experience through the College. Even with many years of experience in this field, the credit must still be made up.
  In order to work in Taiwan as a foreigner, an ARC (work permit) is necessary. The best choice for Mr. McGregor and the hotel was an ‘internship visa’ with a six month contract. As was mentioned by the H.R. director; after the contract, working as ‘Guest Relations Officer with management training, starting at front desk,’ Mr. McGregor could be hired on full time through the hotel. Mr. McGregor asked the H.R. director how long this employment process would take, and she said, “3 weeks and then you can start work.” Mr. McGregor started gathering all documents necessary and submitting them to the appropriate people. Besides all of the faxing, phone calls, emails, running around, medicals, and relocating cities…; few emails sent to the ‘Horror Day Inn, Taipei’ were responded to, making the process very difficult and stressful.
  After 3 months of stress and problems, doing everything Mr. McGregor could do to make this process run smooth, the first day of work was scheduled.
  Very excited to start work in the position hired for, ‘Guest Relations Officer with management training, starting at front desk,’ Mr. McGregor showed up early, wearing full suit, shoes shined and stellar in every detail. Mr. McGregor was sent to a room to fill out some additional paperwork, without any communication in English. Mr. McGregor was then sent down stairs for a uniform fitting. Still at this time, Mr. McGregor was eager to start in the position he was hired for, mentioned above.
  A shabby, dirty, torn uniform was handed to Mr. McGregor to try on and the confusion started. Mr. McGregor didn’t know why such a uniform was to be worn, but he did so with no questions. Still confused and with no English communication as of yet, Mr. McGregor was sent up stairs and stationed at the ‘Bell Service Desk.’ “Ok, first you will be trained to opened doors on taxis” Mr. McGregor was told by the person in charge. Very confused at this time, Mr. McGregor asked one of the managers why he was on a full time schedule as a ‘Bell boy?’ The manager continued to say “if you don’t like it, don’t work here!!” In disbelief of what was happening, Mr. McGregor contacted the H.R. director to find out why this was going on. When asked how this could happen, the H.R. director stated, “oh, but this is Taiwan!!” Mr. McGregor was totally shocked of what was happening, especially after what he had went through to get this far.
  Mr. McGregor is a true professional and did as was asked, did it very well, as he had little choice in the matter. Guests of the hotel were shocked and wondered why Mr. McGregor was working as a laborer (with a smile on his face), but he didn’t know why himself. At no time, in any way, verbal or written was Mr. McGregor contacted and told of any such change of position.
  If Mr. McGregor were to stop working at this hotel, his work permit would be canceled and he would have to leave the country within 15 days, so basically Mr. McGregor was forced to work under their terms and conditions.
  Mr. McGregor requested meetings with the managers to find a solution to this very serious problem and they took it as problematic. The managers ignored every request to deal with this issue and handed Mr. McGregor a termination letter full of false information two weeks later.
  After 15 days, it was mandatory for Mr. McGregor to leave the country and attain another tourist visa to stay in Taiwan, which was expensive. Moving to Taipei for this position was a big step for Mr. McGregor and the rent is high, so he couldn’t continue to live there. “So much money, time and energy spent to get into this hotel, and they totally ruined my life, and why?” Mr. McGregor mentions. “I did nothing wrong, but everything right and I am the one who suffers!” continues Mr. McGregor
  Two meetings were held with the labor office in Taipei, and the ‘Horror Day Inn’ representatives had nothing to say, as they had no reason for what had happened. Some questions that were asked are as followed:

Mr. McGregor asks:

1. As a representative of the ‘Horror Day Inn, Taipei, would you be able to tell me why the ‘Horror Day Inn, Taipei’ took negative and discriminatory actions towards me? (response, “we have the right to stay silent”)

1. Then why was I told that I was only allowed to interact with English speaking foreigners?
2. Why were my emails containing important and time sensitive information neglected and unanswered?
3. Why were my questions and concerns that were raised in person treated as improper, wrong, and problematic?
4. Why were the questions and concerns I raised to ‘Mr. Manager’ treated as accusations and bad manners as stated in section 5 of the termination letter?
5. As stated in section 5 of the termination letter, my conversation with ‘Mr. Manager’ was unacceptable because I am a foreigner, why is that so?
In the termination letter I received from the ‘Horror Day Inn’ it stated numerous times that I knew and understood the terms and descriptions of my position as a Bellman. Can you explain why I would agree to an internship position as a Bellman which does not train me in the manner needed for my future career field?

The responses for all of these questions were, “we have the right to stay silent.”

  Any additional legal advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated, as this hotel has destroyed my time in Taiwan, as well as my financial future in Canada. My name has been damaged; my credit is no good now from money not sent home to pay for bills. I don’t have a big shot lawyer on my side, so few people are taking me seriously in Taiwan. This wasn’t just a job for me; it is a career choice. This is a very serious issue and I have done nothing wrong in any way.

careymcgregor@yahoo.com
011 886 9 3951 0401 Taiwan
Received on Wed Mar 8 20:34:56 2006