Job Discussion Forums

teacherj · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

This company has repeatedly and insistently tried to convince my husband and I to sign 2-year contracts with PMU, regardless of the fact that we have explicitly stated we are only interested in 1-year contracts. We have NO intention of spending more than the next year in KSA.

I was told to "go with the flow" and simply give notice after a year.

It has been suggested that I should do this multiple times by multiple people from/affiliated with inAdvance (Michelle Cain, Peter Allegri, and Cheryl Ryan).

I was told that many teachers sign the 2 year contract and then leave after the first year.

If they are suggesting this to me I am sure they are suggesting similar to others.

Thoughts on this situation? Surely it can not be as easy as they imply to simply 'give notice' and leave.

When I mentioned giving notice would deprive me of end of contract bonuses and return air I was told that end of contract bonuses don't exist anymore and have been replaced by 'service bonuses' which few teachers receive. Is this true?

They also told me that the return ticket would have to be provided by Saudi law regardless of giving notice early. Is that true?

Overall I have had a very sketchy time dealing with this company and have already severed ties. I posted under another topic yesterday about most of my experience with them (inAdvance Recruitment) but after receiving yet ANOTHER insane email I thought I'd start a new thread.

More experienced folks- is any of what they are saying remotely true?

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

Why do you continue to communicate with that recruiting company? Plus, PMU's reputation is iffy (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1201892). Move on and apply to other universities.

teacherj · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

Thanks Nomad,
I have certainly cut ties with them. I guess I was just wondering if the statements regarding bonuses and return air had any validity. From my limited previous experience it all sounded totally bogus. Just wanted confirmation that I wasn't over-reacting. They made me feel like I was being ridiculous to question the sanity of it all.
But looking for sanity when dealing with KSA recruiters is by definition insane isn't it?

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

This is why it's best to go direct hire if you have solid, relevant qualifications. If not, then yes, you'll have to deal with recruiters (good and bad) and contracting companies that range in sketchiness from tolerable to avoid at all costs. In fact, always research the employer---direct hire and contracting company.

teacherj · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

Surely the sagest of advice.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

You could quit after a year, but you may have to pay your way out by working for free for 2 months or paying with 2 months salary. Check what the contract stipulates because most contracts stipulate an indentured servitude along with the nice cash that you are earning.

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

breaking your contract means that you will essentially be blacklisted and will not be able to return to KSA in the next 2 years without a LONO.
Even though, officially, it is not required....hiring companies still ask for a LONO even though many employers refuse to do it if you request one before you leave.....a catch 22.

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

Unless you plan on returning to KSA, you could always do a "runner" and avoid the 2 month pay penalty. Where I work, turn-over is so great that they stopped accepting resignations mid-year, so people who wanted to leave just left after payday or simply didn't return after a holiday.

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

BajaLaJaula · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 267

How would you do it, if you have an iqama and no exit visa?? Just asking in case I need to do one.

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

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

Get a single exit/reentry visa and just don't come back. It happens frequently.

johnslat · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:06 pm Post subject:

Well, would BajaLaJaula have a passport if she/he has an iqama? Although it's "illegal," many employers still hold onto one's passport.

Would the employer give BajaLaJaula a single exit/re-entry visa?

And, of course, BajaLaJaula would be paying for the ticket and maybe losing a housing deposit (if one was required).

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

You will get no end of service benefit after one year's service. A full two years is required. You could leave for the summer on a normal exit/re-entry visa and simply not return.

Personally I would not do that. My word is my bond and noblesse oblige.

Any reason why you will only commit to one year in KSA ? This is not what organisations want to hear.

scarlie · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 24

I was a direct hire at PMU and treated very well during my two year contract. For the same reasons, but with less eloquence, my thoughts on breaking contracts are similar to Scot47's.