A Human Resource Manager that is Les Lee has recently shared his story on the Caltex Bachang official Facebook social media post after meeting a man who has faced many difficulties in life since the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was commenced in the month of March last year.
Les Lee wrote, “It was business as usual at our small petrol station in Melaka on the first day of 2021 when a stranger came by the office asking for the job”.
He also shared that his own business experienced a huge loss last year as well but he kindly decided to hire the man anyway as part of the car washing team in his business.
According to the Facebook post, Less Lee stated, “His appearance was unkempt and he looked definitely troubled”.
“Since I told him to start on the coming Monday, I asked him where he was going after this”.
The kind manager said he was shocked when the man told him that he was going to the nearest bus stop for a place to sleep. Only then that he realized that his new employee was actually homeless.
Lee then gave the man a company T-shirt so that the man can begin work training that day. By doing that, the man does not have to return to the streets to look for shelter. Seeing that he was overtly hungry, Les Less also offered him some food.
During the onboarding session, the man began to tell Lee the events in the past year that led to his homelessness. Then the manager said, “I was dismayed by the things he told me”.
According to the homeless man, he had worked as a lorry driver in Kuala Lumpur for only a few years but the company was forced to let him go during the MCO last year. Les Lee then said, “Later, he found a job as a waiter in a hawker stall. But eventually, he lost that job as well”.
The man then revealed that was actually alone in Peninsular Malaysia because his parents had passed away and his two brothers were back home in East Malaysia. The manager also added, “He initially wanted to go to Penang but looking at his wallet, he only had enough money for a bus ticket to Melaka. So, he took his chance in Melaka”.
As weeks flew by, the situation, unfortunately, spun out of control and the man said he soon found himself sadly starving for days and also sleeping at bus stops at night.
Les Lee then went home during lunch break to pack any unused clothes that he had to give to his new employee. Les Lee said, “I also called up some friends who would be able to help find a rented room for him temporarily”. Lee wrote that he really understand the story of the homeless man as he personally had gone through hardships in life.
That is when Les Lee explained, “The horror of losing everything is something most people cannot fully comprehend and living from day to day not knowing whether you will be sleeping on an empty stomach in a cold bus stop or not”.
He also being asked why did he hire a homeless man with a largely unknown past and his answer was simple, “We are aware of the risks, but we are taking a chance on him because he needed help and the best way to help a man or woman is to give them the dignity of work”.
Last but not least, Les Lee said, “For those who travel past Caltex Bachang frequently, do help us to stay afloat by refueling your vehicle with us. If you are interested to help this guy or want to know more about his journey find us there”.
Sources: Facebook Caltex Bachang