Job Discussion Forums

kaw · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

The biggest problem from what I understand is that the teachers involved had been given and signed final settlement papers in April for much larger amounts and so budgeted accordingly. To only have been told in the last few days before they leave is in my book very underhand.
We're not talking a small number of teachers either but around 180.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

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

al bidarnd · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 53

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

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

redeyes · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 254

Blimey, the rep of HCT is taking another knock or two on these boards.What is going on here? It'd be good to know, since hundreds of us do rely on these boards for our decision making and judgments of institutions.

al bidarnd wrote --

"The UAE and HCT are changing very fast."

For those of us heading to the UAE within the next year -- it would really help if you could give concrete ways in which these changes are showing themselves, and if you'd be good enough to take the time, explain why you think these changes are taking place, both at HCT -- and indeed, on the wider level in UAE.

On the broader level of UAE first -- Are these changes due to admin decisions made in upper echelons of the UAE Education Boards to limit the position of Westerners and the benefits they can receive? Is that what is going on here, or is it purely financial changes due to changes in the EFL market/demand etc?

Thoughts anyone?

Regarding HCT now -- Are the changes you mention in HCT due to a radical change in their policy towards foreign teachers, limiting their rights and benefits etc?

On a much wider global level, do you think ( al bidarnd, VS,Kaw, NCTBA and others in the know ) the changes are related to a much wider malaise in EFL everywhere, and its effects particularly in the Gulf ( EG the bubble has now burst in the ME/Gulf too -- just as it did in Japan 15 years ago etc etc. Is that a possible scenario? )

Any thoughts from the inside and from those in the know appreciated as I am on my way to UAE relatively soon. I appreciate your thoughts.

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

Hey Redeyes.

I think when people are talking about the UAE on the boards, they often are mixing their perceptions of life in general.

it used to be that the UAE was considered one of the highest paying job sectors for TEFL/TESL teachers. But with the UAE currency pegged to the dollar (and its plummeting values these days), teachers from europe are losing money due to the exchange rates. Nothing sours your day when you go from making a nice salary to making 2/3 of what you were making when you started at the beginning of the year because of the devaluation of the dollar.

Couple that with the rising inflation rate in the UAE (especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and you have a recipe for scomplaints. There are people who have posted that their food costs have doubled, and their rent has doubled in the last 2 years.

Now add in the rising cost of rents, the shortage of housing, and the poor construction of many flats and villas and you have serious issues for many folks.

Add in the horrible traffic conditions in Dubai, and parts of abu Dhabi and it is a general quality of life issue.

kaisen · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 13

adorabilly

I like your post. A balanced view without abusive language.

al bidarnd · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 53

eha · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 355 Location: ME

So much has been happening at HCT that its reputation for being one of the best places in the UAE to work are no longer true.

What reputation?

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

Games and whingers... back to the real question that started this thread...

How many teachers had their pay lowered between the first letter and the second letter of the 180? Was it all? (we know now that it wasn't) Was it half? Was it a handful?

And the big question is... was the second letter correct or were they changing from what the contracts' say? If HCT was correcting an honest mistake it is one thing and perfectly valid - though unpleasant. If they are not following the contract, it is another - and I'd be heading to the labor courts.

The answer to the paradise or hell question is easy. It has never been either... and has moved on the continuum between the two over the years usually based on branch management. It has obviously moved towards the negative in the past few years and the crash of the dollar has really hurt those who do their saving in other currencies.

But, one factor to keep in mind is that everywhere is suffering from this same inflation... prices on necessities are rising in the US while salaries for teachers stagnate or drop. Where in the TEFL world can people go to do better?

VS

sally 4th · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

In regard to the final settlement checks, yes, they had been signed and shortly after the amount was considerly reduced. Central Services in AbuDhabi SUDDENLY decided to pinch pennies and pay only until the last working day, not the last day of one's contract. This had not been the policy in the past.
Everyone at HCT works in fear of losing their job especially if you voice your opinion or have a personality conflict with a supervisor. Contracts are meaningless and workloads, 20-25 hours per week affect both staff morale and students who face teachers overworked and unhappy. New hires with Ph.Ds quickly put in notice once they are aware of the students extremely low English level, and their immaturity (about middle school level.)

flowerchild of the future · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

hiya,

Okay, I admit it, I'm increasingly confused by this - if HCT are now paying only until your last day on site and not to the end of contract (for example, if you factor in leave entitlement then people may not be 'on site' for the last 4 weeks of their contract), surely this means that they are not honouring your holiday entitlement in your contract and is a clear breach of T's and C's and one for the labour law court indeed?

Or, has it been a random 'error' in their financial admin...? Which although incredibly frustrating given the time line and pre-budgeting of departing teachers on previous amounts promised, could be put down to the fallibility of humans?

Clarity would be appreciated.... Confused

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

It seems to me that if they are paying those leaving their salary through the end of their contract - including the two months (8 weeks, not 4 weeks) of summer leave accorded by the contract, they have confirmed that they are employed through that date.

Usually HCT teachers arrive in early August. Thus, they should be easily within the 2 month's summer leave to make them eligible also for the full gratuity.

Check the contract and perhaps chip in for the costs to talk to a local employment lawyer. If the law is being broken, then nail them. If it is a large number of teachers involved the chances of winning are better.

VS