Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Just received a pm from someone on this site.

"Please read my contract and tell me what you think."

Sorry but this is an unreasoiable request. Why should I spend my time readng through a legal document on behalf of an unknown stranger ? Espeiallly from one who aspires to membership of the 500 Club ?

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

scot 47,

With your experience in Saudi Arabia, you are clearly missing out on a great business opportunity. Tell them you will do so, but state your fee beforehand. The current fee is about 50 GB pounds per 1,000 words of contract.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I think I will have my office in Ibadan deal with this one. They can combine the Contract Advice with services of a legal and financial nature.

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Have to agree here...it is an unreasonable request to ask someone you have never met to review one's contract...

However, here are the basics which in my opinion would indicate a fair offer of employment... This would be for a university or college position -contract.
Please do not send PM requests to people you don't know to review your contract! Just not a good idea!

1. Salary: You really have to determine your own worth: qualifications(educational level) and ME experience usually determines appropriate salary range. Monthly salary automatically deposited to your bank.

2. Offering annual flights there and back to home country; airport pick up upon arrival Wink

3. Actual teaching hours between 18-22 teaching hours a week; anything after that over time pay. Usually 10 office hours a week on top. Some places may have opprotunities to teach additional hours...but should be offered at over time rates.

4. Paid single 'decent' furnished accommodation; at very least, a one bedroom apartment (Paid utilities are a plus, but not always offered)
If married, then an appropriate place on a compound.

5. Medical Health coverage

6. Bonifide work permit(Residency- Igama)

7. Private office at work (or the very least a private cubicle) with computer and internet.

8. Travel allowance to work and/ or bus service provided.

9. Single or muliple exit visas available for travel on holidays.

10 A minimum of 30 to 45 days summer vacation; ideally 60 days.

11. Weekends off

12. End of contract gratuity: 1/2 months salary for each year worked up to 5 years, bumped up to 1 month salary thereafter

13. Annual pay raises (amount is usually based on performace or possibly not)

14. Direct hire (NO RECRUITORS or CONTRACTORS)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

This service is now on offer. We can also scrutinise leases, car rental agreements and laundry bills. By special arrangement marriage contracts and pre-nuptial agreements can also be checked by our team. Payment in advance please.

(Warning - a large pinch of salt should be administerd with this post !)

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

Americans should demand the employer provide a visa agent and pay all visa and deployment costs, including the ticket and the medical, up front. Most employers have a reimbursement offer. Until the reimbursement actually happens, they will use it to leverage you in various ways and may never pay at all. Don't put up with it. You can spend $1000 or more on a physical and then either your visa is denied for unexplained reasons or the employer backs out of the deal at the last minute. If you book your own ticket with a night's layover in Europe to recover a bit after the transatlantic ordeal, they won't pay. In fact, they may give you the same they usually give the Brits--about half of what you spent. But you got a really good deal on your ticket by booking a non-refundable as soon as you signed the offer letter, to save your employer money? Oh, wait. What employer? He backed out on you!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Demand?

Based on what leverage? As long as we TEFLers are a dime a dozen, we don't have any. Those with top credentials can go to the top employers in the Gulf where you don't have to worry about such silliness from the employers.

VS

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

I'm not naming names, but I've been personally stiffed by what you would call top, direct-hire employers in the Gulf.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Has someone forgotten to take their medication today ?

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

By "demand" I mean stand your ground and decline the contract unless your conditions are met, not be rude or whatever. I am also suggesting that teachers should agree to stand as a group as other groups do to improve their lot.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Sirens of Cyprus · Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

Good question.