Job Discussion Forums

[Whatever will be]

Well, it remains to be seen if Hawthorn really follows through.

Its not just filling out a piece of paper, its actually a rather involved process of the sponsor presenting in person at the same time as the employee to get the formalities done.

There is nothing in it for Hawthorn. On the contrary, it is an added burden at a time when they themselves need to look for a new job.

[rustyrockets]

I heard Hawthorn has been interviewing new people these past few weeks, I'm very confused since what people are posting here indicate mass sackings. What is going on?

[Siobhan 22]

That would be very confusing and dispiriting for all, but your use of 'these past few weeks' comment may mean your knowledge has been overtaken by events as July 11 saw the confirmation of Hawthorn not getting the CAS contract as well as advertisements being placed and interviews conducted by Al Nawa.

[Colombo]

I believe those current ads posted by Hawthorn are for positions at their language schools in Muscat, Sur & Sohar that are their own ventures with no connection to positions in the Colleges of Applied Sciences they used to recruit for.

[Siobhan 22]

Colombo, you are correct the adverts are for the three Hawthorn language school - mystery solved (I forgot I had even applied!)

[rustyrockets]

[Siobhan 22]

The Hawthorn language schools have fewer benefits than CAS's, e.g. fewer holidays etc. I also think the Hawthorn language college ads were placed before July 11 when the CAS tender was officially announced.

[Tazz]

Just to go back to the Al Nawa email-I would take any of the information contained in this 'offer' with an absolute pinch of salt, as it were-75 OMR a month instead of a lump sum at the end of the year flight allowance?!! That's way more than any amount a teacher here [without dependants] has ever received....also. this particular agency also supplied teachers to the Ibri College of Technology during last couple years-and their package deal was easily the lowest.....even, as I believe was mentioned before-deducting money for providing hotel accommodation for newcomers, while they looked for somewhere to stay!

[Whatever will be]

Al Nawa has a reputation of emailing tempting offers and presenting a less than favourable contract, once the candidate is in the country.
The 75 Rials may well becomes a 15 Rials allowance due to a "clerical/typing" error. Other benefits may also be adjusted.
If one argues the differential, the answer will be "You received a letter of offer by email. This is an employment contract. These are two different things." This has happened before and it will happen again.
Al Nawa deducts the hotel costs from the monthly salary. Luckily, its a crappy place and the 18 Rials per night won't hurt too much. In addition, teachers have to fund their own transportation from day one. That means paying for a taxi to go 5 Rials) to work and back (5 Rials) to the hotel plus some grocery shopping - unless one is rich enough to eat out every day during the settling in period. This is recommended for at least for the first few weeks until one has coped with jet lag, acclimatised to the weather and memorized the way to work.
Feel free to calculate how much this job will cost you in the first month and if the salary will cover it.

[danshengou]

Those salaries and benefits are awfully low. Just doesn't seem worth it.

[Siobhan 22]

[Whatever will be]

Al Nawa is a business intent on making a profit. If they can save a fortnight on the hotel and transportation of a teacher, that's a tidy sum. Multiply that by the initial 70 vacancies or adjust down to just half of that number and it is a small fortune for the owner of Al Nawa. Again, it's a business not a charity.

This attitude will be displayed across all dealings. Thus, teachers are not regarded as people with hopes, dreams, fears and needs but as business units with profit and losses.

By the way, salary starts from the first day of teaching/work.
So, if it takes a week to get the formalities done (health check at the clinic, finger printing at the police, residency card at immigration), then you won't get paid for that time.

Al Nawa used to offer an interest-free loan to cover that period of zero income. However, your passport will be confiscated as security. Anybody arriving at the beginning of the new academic year end of August/beginning of September) won't be able to travel during the Eid al Fikr week. Then again, you won't have money to travel anyway.

[Whatever will be]

One of the issue would be the 30 calendar days of annual leave. That's just 4 weeks/one month per year. Previously, it was 60 calendar days or 45 working days.
Last year, there were only five public holidays throughout the year (Prophet Mohammed's birthday, Islamic New Year, Sultan Qaboos birthday, National Day and Prophet Mohammed's ascention to heaven).
So, rest and relaxation or time to travel will be in short supply.

[Siobhan 22]

They add to the 30 days entitlement "or as declared by the college" - if thet means anything in real terms.

[Whatever will be]

In real terms:
The college sends an email to all staff a day or so before the public holiday. For example the long weekend on 2 &3 December 2015 was announced a couple of days prior in a long, flowery message that wished the Nation and its Sultan well.
By that time, flights and hotels are either booked out or way too expensive and one is stuck inside the country.
Double whammy for those who made bookings for the 11 & 12 November, which is the actual National Day and SQ's birthday.
The assumption that there would be time off as in previous years cost them dearly (e.g. cancellation fees, non-refundable bookings).
Hence, one has to wait for the college announcement.
The uncertainty and last-minute information is just part of the culture.
In days gone by, a handsome salary and generous benefits would compensate for these hardships.