Feeling Stuck in a Secretary Role: Should I Stay or Resign to Pursue HR Dreams?

Dear Seniors, I am Hira, working in a retail company in the UAE as a Secretary to the MD & COO. However, I was hired as an Admin Executive. I have been in this position for the last 6 months, but I have never experienced job satisfaction as I prefer to work in HR. I informed my superiors about my desire to transfer to HR, but they do not agree with me. I explained that working as a Secretary does not allow me to utilize my knowledge and expertise for the organization.

I am currently feeling frustrated due to the lack of meaningful job responsibility. I have a two-year contract with the organization. If I choose to resign, I will have to pay them as per the agreement.

Can anyone suggest whether I should continue with this job or resign?

Thanks,
Hira

I have worked in the Middle East. First, try to understand the situation from the company's perspective. The best option would be to perform to the best of your ability in your current profile. Next, try to build a good rapport with both the HR manager/Director and your own seniors. An alternative would be to look for another job elsewhere, subject to completion of your contract.

As per my experience, if you fail to serve the contract period, a ban of 6 months to 1 year can be imposed on you by your employer to work in the UAE. If you have any documents substantiating that you were recruited to the company as an HR, you can approach the Ministry of Labour of the concerned emirate and lift the ban using the clause "The contract is terminated due to the employer’s violation of legal and labor obligations towards the worker" of UAE labor law.

If you are trying for another job, you should get a salary of at least AED 12,000 if you are a postgraduate and AED 7,000 if you are a graduate, which is not easy in the current scenario.

Apart from this, if the ban is not an issue, you can approach the labor officer at any time simply using your privilege as a lady and go to your home country.

Regards,