Job Discussion Forums

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

There do seem to be an unusal number of people leaving this year, but I don't think it has much to do with conditions at ZU.

This is outright false. 120 people left. Says it all. Here is the biggest bone being thrown to any prospective candidate who has seriously considered working for this institution: DO NOT take their suggested salary offer. Do the math. Add on 10% to what they offered and then some. This 10% that they gave to this year's faculty was a face saving mechinism in order to keep the ranks at least somewhat satisfied so they would not leave completey en masse. THIS IS YOUR BIGGEST BONE BEING THROWN TO YOU. If you need to pay off your loans/mortgage/whatever get more bang for your buck - it will not happen like this EVER again. Negotiate like you never have before - you have the upper hand on this one. You will have to bend and thrust at this job - you will be fodder once in - make hay while the sun shines and keep the LOWEST possible profile amongst totally disgruntled fear-based individuals who have given up. All the best.

herenow · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 22

I work at ZU and I like it. I don't really see a big problem there. The people are friendly and the working conditions are relaxed. The disgruntled people would be disgruntled anywhere. The salaries haven't gone up greatly in the last few years, but they are still okay. And it isn't the fault of ZU administration that they have a fixed budget they are trying to keep balanced. Some people make more than others, but that is life. And all faculty members are paid enough to live on and either save money or lead a relatively "rich" lifestyle -- their choice.

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

Yes, well a fixed budget. Nobody's fault. A director can change that, but not really - the sun set on his empire in the 1800's - With all due respect, he probably can't do much about it, but even if he could he wouldn't - can not even spell and has these cronies around for damage control on both campuses. Yes the people are friendly. Always willing to help out. It's overwhelming...Let's talk about takeorleaves new hobby commenting on how these same friendly people can never ask a question about anything at all in the dept. You can't - the reason being it is top down with no checks and balances at all, hence this very message. For that matter this is why so many messages on Dave's are locked. People just start to wig out, it's normal. The other is that nothing is audited in this part of the world. Oh, the accreditation people show up for a puppet show - the showcase of how well it all works and leave with a contrived sense of education - hey they take the money, too! They already know. Take or leave is ready for more comments - glad you like the place - just wait until you have a problem and find out how it is solved...all the best!

yellofello · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 68

Who are the management people at ZU? Do you mean the people who manage the English Language Unit or the people who manage the university. Are people leaving because of management, because the job is depressing, because they are treated badly or unfairly? Is there a spying system in operation? Do people report on each other?

Is the work environment in the English Unit healthy or unhealthy? Are people unhappy or unhappy with their jobs? Are people rewarded for effort and hard work or just exploited?

Can anyone tell me?

herenow · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 22

Administration at the university is comparable to any western university. People are not "spying" on each other, but people can occassionally be petty and competitive for positions -- just being human. A recent change in the provost of the university has left people wondering where the university will head in the future. A recent 10% raise across the board has helped a bit with some of the complaints about not keeping up with inflation and the money being tied to the US dollar. (The UAE currency tied to the dollar has been the cause of much financial complaint, but that is a government thing -- not a ZU thing.)

The English Unit (Academic Bridge Programme) seems to be healthy and is actually one of the better run departments in the university. It has about 90 faculty covering the two campuses, so as can be expected there are some "personalities", but in general people work together and enjoy each other's company both professionally and socially. I think most people are happy, most people leaving this year had been in the UAE for 5 or more years and were just ready to head home (aging parents, aging themselves, or just ready for a change), not because they were unhappy at ZU.

In fact, it is surprising the number of people who leave and then come back.

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

Whoa! People are ageing! Excuse me esteemed colleague why dost thou leave the Gulf? It's that blasted ageing again, my good man. Take or leave has worked in admin before - ageing parents is an excuse for not being renewed - it's the "oldest" excuse in the world...as to general ageing as a reason to leave the Gulf just cracks takeorleave up. Thanks for the confused, misinformation.

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

takeorleave · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 17

Sorry VS - you totally missed the point on this - did not want to age discriminate here...ageing is not a funny thing in and of itself...take no offense to this. But takeorleave has never, ever heard anyone say, I'm leaving the Gulf because of ageing. Never. VS you've mentioned you are retired and takeorleave has worked with many an expat well past retirement age and had overwhelmingly postive experiences and gained from these people insights such as yours. On the other hand, many people do not like to discuss details as to why they really leave; this is a plausible excuse and overused. Alas, damage control is at the helm. This is takeorleaves last post - the truth is out there - seems it has to have a positive spin to past inspection - good luck.