Job Discussion Forums

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

There was an advertisement for the PI for math teachers in the Gulf News yesterday. Are they looking for English teachers as well?

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

Why not just apply? If anyone comes on and says that there are openings, the MODs would just pull the thread for being a job ad. Cool

I suggest checking their website as it usually shows what openings that they are taking applications for.

VS

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

No they are not hiring just firing.....

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

Firing or not renewing?

Lowered projected student numbers? Lowering average salary costs?

Does it mean that they will be hiring in the fall and people should watch the website if they are so inclined?

VS

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Manny2
Are you sure they are firing? I was surprised to see them hiring because it is so late in the year. Do you know why people have lost their job or is it just natural wastage?

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

WD40...the ad you saw was for Math teachers and while they may need an additional Math teacher they are definitly not hiring English teachers and those who are leaving will not be replaced. Whether they are/were fired or not renewed is a moot point as the result and intentions are the same - you are surplus to requirements.

The PI is on a downward spiral but if you are still convinced that it is the best place to work in the region then I suggest you wait a little longer and apply for a position to the High School when it opens.

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

Manny2

I agree that the end result is the same... but I would rather be 'non-renewed' for dropping student numbers than 'fired' for some management fiasco or even something stupid I might have done. ... yeah... splitting hairs... Laughing

Can you tell us the cause of the downward spiral? Have they lost the original student base? Lost the original contract? (rather like what happened at MLI) Switching to a high school?

It might be helpful for future applicants to know the history if they start recruiting again.

VS

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Manny2
The high school idea seems to be taking off in all parts of the UAE. I assume people lost their jobs at the PI because they not good enough. What will happen to the foundation program once the high school is established. I remember a similar discussion about high schools some time ago.

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

Downward spiral due to inept management especially at the top but it filters down . Foundations seen as the bottom of the barrel with hopes that it will too be 'surplus to requirements' once the High School gets up and running. Morale low in Foundations (very inept management)still starts at DH15,000 with very low merit increases- low job security so those who can are getting out and those who have been let go as they are not in the inner clique should count their blessings. As I said before on this forum the days of wine and roses are well over and it does not look to get better.

My advice is that if you want to come to the Gulf look elsewhere as there is not alot of job security and in a year you may end up down teaching High School which itself is unlikely to pay much.

PS. WD4O please do not assume that people who lost their jobs were no good as I have been here long enough to know that when it comes the time to look at cutting numbers the sychopants get to stay and those who have questioned bad management are the first out the door. Downsizing simply allows vindictive managers to cut those who they do not like without any reason.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

I was surprised to hear that the management at the PI was not that effective. Globalnomad sang the praises of the Foundation director. If people are being forced to leave because they have alternative ideas or 'rock the boat' this is a reflection of poor management skills. What of the people who have left? Are they getting jobs here in the UAE ie do they get an NOC?

Manny2 · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 143

I believe Globalnomad left the PI about 3 years ago and that is a long time or a short enough time for an institute in this part of the world to turn sour.Remember GN left to go to George Mason in RAK and has himself gone from offering positive feedback about the place to making some serious complaints due to mismanagement and issues of vacation pay to staff last year - to again praising it as these matters got sorted out through the interventon I believe of the parent institution.

Work environment and management practices can change very quickly sometimes for the better but also for the worse .Since GN left the PI has also had the former CAO and the Executive Director replaced by one individual who shall we say is enjoying his executive powers.Who knows maybe it will improve and for many it still offers some of the best benefits around especially if you have a family, and you keep your mouth shut and play the game ...but then again that sounds like the formula to keeping your job in most institutes in the UAE.

Also to clarify the firing non renewal issue - the PI does not have a renewal process as once one has passed probation one has rolling contracts and they continue unless you give your required 3 months notice or in the other case where management five you 3 months notice - which basically means you are fired and no cause needs to be given.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

I wonder if the Pi is about to go down the road of Abu Dhabi University. It seems the two institutions are the flavors of the month. What will happen if the Pi does not get enough students in the fall - will this affect the teachers? It also seems ADU is still firing people for no cause. Perhaps a new discussion should be opened under UPAID.

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

I think it was Manny2 that hit the nail on the head: getting into the right clique and surviving, you'd better do it if you want to live and work here, ie, the new people who so desperately want to live here...so true and this new dude on the scene, El Verdugo Negro, has tapped into the prevalent attitude in the Gulf, ie, firing the good ones! ADMINS DO NOT NEED A REASON! Repeat that in your head people!!! It is soooo true. In no way shape or form try to be proactive! Run! HCT, ZU, will try to put faculty into the high school systems in the emirates. After all it is the high schools that are to blame for such low cognitive reserve in these parts, right? Blame it one the good faculty, blame it on the high schools, save face in any way possible - take as much as you can so that when you leave you can walk away from a place that has no regard for integrity - and take or leave blames this on the western staff involved, mainly, at the two above mentioned paraprofessional instiutions.
The top admin know that English teachers are only at the MA level and are nothing back in the real world - be prepared to deal with this and take, take, take: when you enter it is the beginning of the end...

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

I take the view that if you believe in something you should fight for it. If you prefer to sit with your head in the desert and pretend that by doing or saying nothing things will progress then you may look back on your life in the UAE or elsewhere and regret a little.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Heard that the intake for the PI this coming fall is down 30% and wonder what will happen to the faculty if this turns out to be true?