Job Discussion Forums

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Sounds like it was a difficult job to leave. Notice you said the working atmosphere was good and that there were some great teachers and students - how so? What about foundation management - do they have the know how if things go pear shape next semester?

Mine's a pint · Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Somewhere

It was very difficult to leave. And at the moment I'm regretting it. But I'm hoping these are just settling-in pains to the new environment.

However, now you're asking me to speculate. All I can say is, I don't expect things will go pear-shaped. They'll deal with the numbers they get. Teachers will be given things to do whether there are a lot of students or a few. There is never of shortage of things to be done.

As for the management of Foundation, I prefer not to go into that.

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Why do you regret leaving?

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Sadistic mangement - how so Miyazaki?

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

Just heard from friends at the PI that another (seems there have been others) Director has been sacked from the Institute. What is going on?

WD40 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 104

It seems three director have left in a year and a number of teachers. Is this the beginning of the end for the PI? Are there any of the directors left?

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

harrythehook · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

My ex worked very happily at PI for many years. What's happening?

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

One director resigned after he was asked to 'step down' from his position, I believe due to a personality clash with the CAO. Another was asked to leave because he was 'living in sin'. Whether that was the real (or just the given) reason who knows. Another left for personal reasons not related to the job as far as I know. I'm not sure of the reasons why the other two left but I don't think they were kicked out.
So there has been a 100% change in management. However, I wouldn't say it's all doom and gloom. Staff have just been given pay rises and faculty are waiting to hear about theirs in the next couple of months. As far as I know you'd be lucky to get a similar job in the region for more pay, and I believe very few jobs here (or anywhere!) have good job security.
The management is definitely questionable but I've not found it interfers with my day-to-day job. Perhaps I'm just lucky?

xray · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 24

Veralynn from what I know staff may get the 70% but all teaching staff can hope to get is the measely merit increase which most have now waited over 18 months for. Staff have also recently lost more holidays and the latest was that if they take the mid semester break it will be unpaid. Starting salaries are still about 15,000 and no sign of housing allowance increasing....so no I have to disagree that it is one of the best gigs in town.

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

One question that I haven't seem addressed lately is whether they are hiring English teachers or not?

VS

globalnomad2 · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 562

Ah, well, the place went to pot after I left! Fortunately for the oil and gas industry in an undisclosed location far, far away from the Middle East, I am saving the day there....not....

veralynn · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 113 Location: Abu Dhabi

VS - as far as I know there are no vacancies at the moment.
xray - no-one's going to get the 70%! Ok, to clarify, at the PI there are staff (some of which are teaching, some admin) and there are faculty. Faculty have had no pay-rise yet but should hear in the next couple of months (I agree they have had a wait but it will be backdated to August). I am teaching staff and my payrise was 11%, back-dated to August, which I was pretty happy with. It was supposed to be merit + cost of living, and personally I wouldn't describe 11% as measly. Staff get 38 days a year holiday. Faculty this academic year got/are getting 1 week between semesters (they could take more if it came off their summer allowance), they can have 1 week mid-semester which is paid but it has to come off their summer allowance, and their summer allowance is 9 weeks. So that's 10 weeks in total plus of course the Eids etc. Starting salaries depend on the position obviously, but knowing my salary and how many grades foundation staff are above me, I would be very very surprised if they couldn't get a starting salary higher than 15k. The latest on housing is that faculty/staff are to let their directors know if their allowance isn't meeting their rent in order to try and sort it out. Not exactly money in pockets just yet but to be fair I think that at least the problem is being acknowledged.
So perhaps I'm being naive but I'm pretty happy with my situation here.