Job Discussion Forums

[Wigwam]

Just heard through the grapevine that the PI is thinking of dismissing two foundation teachers. Anyone else here the same rumor?

[bartman]

Yes, two foundations science lecturers are not having their contracts renewed for the next academic year. The same is true for two engineering professors.

What do you mean by "innocence lost"? Do you think that employers have lifetime obligations to staff? In our contracts it is made clear that we only have 3 months of guaranteed employment (although the admin is trying to change this to two years)

[Wigwam]

Innocence is lost because the Pi was always considered a safe haven by those who work there but now my sources tell me that people are concerned for their jobs, feel disappointed with the administration as all four who are leaving have got kids and that they feel vulnerable. Though the PI seems to pay a reasonable salary do staff want to stay in an environment that is beginning to become hostile and vindictive.

Wigwam

[veiledsentiments]

So, are you saying that only the employee has the right to end a contract? In what world is that? It is sad for those who wished to stay, but anyone who comes to work in the Gulf expecting job security is liable to be disappointed.

Another detail that contracts should make clear is how much notice should be given by both parties in reference to renewal or non-renewal of contracts. It is so unfair when they wait until this late time to inform people so that they can search for a new job.

As PI grows, situations like this will likely increase. It happens at most places. Not all hires turn out well, program needs change, wrong toes can be stepped on...

VS

[seemore]

In my opinion, it would be foolish to think of any job in the UAE as being a "safe haven". The workforce is mostly expatriate, and the job market highly dynamic. People who accept a job in the UAE should recognize the temporary nature of the work situation and adjust their expectations and planning accordingly. Job loss is a risk that comes with the territory, plain and simple. If a faculty member is dismissed, it doesn't necessarily follow that the work environment will then "become hostile and vindictive", as suggested above. A key issue has to do with the reasons for the dismissal, and in the teaching profession, the timing of it. Like it or not, dismissal of a poorly performing employee (and I'm not suggesting for a moment that such is the case here) can have a beneficial effect on staff morale and performance. On the other hand, when the reasons for dismissal appear to be unfair or arbitrary, this will almost certainly hurt the organizational morale. I suspect that those who have lost their jobs may know the reasons for their dismissal, but if they don't, then it's truly a shame. There is a lot which happens behind the scenes which we don't know about, but by and large, you have to go with the organization you think will deal with you fairly.

[Manny2]

Yes we can all agree that job security is a tenuous affair at best in the Gulf. At the PI contracts are not renewable, what one has is a contract whereby either party can call it a day by giving three months notice, what has been unfortunate for some of the people involved was receiving notice that their services were no longer required, not 3 months ago when it may have been possible to look for alternative employment in the area, but with 1/2 weeks of teaching to go and simply being paid out 3 months.
As far as the poster who referred to the hostile and vindictive environment well without going in to details lets say that the work environment and perceived job security for those especially in Foundations has been under threat since the former CAO was releived of his position in Jan this year followed two months later by the removal of the Executive Director , and who has not as yet been replaced.Now there is one man in charge who does not value education or educators and who is only concerned with research. Everything is weighted in favour of research from promotion to incremnets and the research which is valued is in the domain of the engineers not foundation teachers.

And while it was mentioned by Bartman in another thread that increments are not automatic but based on ' merit' that is true but to 'merit' them again it is heavily weighted to research, teaching quality hardly gets a mention. Now for me if I am employed as a teacher to teach I would like that to be recognised and valued and have a chance of an increment that keeps up with inflation. So morale is low as nobody knows what is happening least of all the acting CAO/Executive Director .

[Wigwam]

Looks like four people are going to lose their jobs at the PI. There is going to be a meeting with all the faculty and my source tells me that an explanation as to why the four people are not being renewed is going to be given.

[veiledsentiments]

Wow... that is unusual in itself. That suggests a transparency rarely seen in the Gulf. But, it doesn't really make one feel all that much more secure of one's own job.

Of course, we Americans should be used to having zero job security... that is our system over here.

VS

[Wigwam]

What is the future of Foundation at the PI? It seems that anybody who is not considered being a 'team player' can be terminated (not have the contract renewed) The climate of fear has begun to rise so my contact at the PI has confirmed. He/She says teachers just say yes and do not wish to 'rock the boat' or as the saying goes 'just take the money'. There are a few it seems that still raise their head but he/she suggests that even they feel intimidated.

[zenzuata]

The PI innocence was lost within the first year - sacking of Admin Staff without a word happened on a couple of occasions, and a couple of lecturers were given "bad end-of-term reports" and no merit increases, which saw them off - constructive dismissal. There was the stupid lecturer released for swearing during the Staff vs Faculty Soccer Match; two faculty were released for drink-driving (or should have been, one of them - the other probably left before it was too hot). Another's "poetry" and "contentious authorship" resurfaced, so he slunk off. Just waiting for news of the secret liaisons of one of the present leading lights to get out - that should be fun!

[hafniumite]

Well it is about time we had some fun here at the PI - so zenzuata this leading light and liaisons can you enlighten us further or shall we remain in the dark as so many things do here. Staff still waiting news of 'merit' increases that were supposed to have been approved at the end of the academic year and now we are told to wait until September - the administration here is a mess so Wigwam my advice is to stay away.

[Wigwam]

My contact tells me that the admin is in a bit of a mess because there were many changes in the summer - moving offices and recruitment (40 staff was quoted) He/She also said that the Foundation Curriculum had improved a lot and that the in house materials were a lot better than before. Previously, they were quite bad apparently. Despite the reservations of many of the writers on this board and the fact I do not have an MA, I still feel obliged to get the qualification and have one more try at applying to the PI next year.
There is much more written about the PI these days and I hope the information about it becomes a lot more open and informative. Thank you to all who keep writing about the PI.

[veiledsentiments]

I expect that one of the reasons that little showed up on here in the past was that things went rather smoothly in the first years and since there weren't that many teachers, it was hard to post anonymously. Then there is the fact that more people come here to complain than to praise... and it seems that not many have left in a real huff so far...

Like all employers, PI has its warts. I haven't seen an employer anywhere in any field that doesn't. But in Gulf ed, this is still one of the better places - which probably says more about education in this part of the world than it does about PI.

VS

[Wigwam]

If there are those on this forum who work at the PI or have good knowledge of it could they please say what is so wrong with. I have read some rather short negative points but of little substance. No institution is perfect especially in this environment so if those 'in the know' do know reasons why it is not such a great place I would like to know as it turns out to be one of my goals to work there as other places just do not have the same package of salary or benefits.

[Manny2]

Ok Wigwam I think enough is enough I have previously posted that you need to get over your obsession with the PI and while i was joking then now I believe that your insistence on continuing such posts is questionable . I am not convinved that you are not one of the disgruntled Foundations faculty with no Masters that fears for their job security greatly dislike the Foundation administration and hope by such posts to encorage others to vent their frustrations.

Sorry but you are seriously confused you want on one hand to know all the crap that is supposedly going on there and on the other professs your addiction to getting a job there - well from all your posts so far if I had anything to do with the hiring process I would never hire you - why ? very simple - you are obsesed with the package and what you get out of it - now tell me why should I hire you -are simply looking for the package - well as i said before then go and do Phd - i hope I never have to work with a mercenary like you.

There are many highly qualified experience teachers who want to get a job there , they will not be put off by your constant insuniations of trouble in the ranks , so may I please ask that you desist and get a life.